banner ad

Wellington RFC 2nd XV 30, B&A RFC 2nd XV 27 (06/10/12)

| 11/04/2013

On a sumptuous day for rugby, both teams looked to play some attractive rugby and the crowd was certainly not disappointed.

Bridgwater started well with a sustained period of early dominance all round the park. Following some sustained forward pressure the backs were released and a delicate chip, by Stradling, over the opposing back line was well chased by Rae and Hambleton, who was looking particularly rosy in the chest area after a brief sojourn in Spain. They hustled the Wellington defenders and forced a lineout in good position. This was caught and driven and ended with a well worked try for Prescott. The conversion was missed.

Bridgwater continued to push and after more supremacy, a series of passes and off loads down the blind side produced a try in the corner for Stradling, finishing off an inside pass from Rae, the difficult kick was missed.

This seemed to wake up the Wellington side, who had started slowly. Some strong runs from theforwards improved field position, and a lineout was won near the Bridgwater line. This was won by the Welly pack and driven close to the line. The ball was then recycled to the 10, who spotted space out wide and a cross field kick was caught and finished off by the Wellington number 13. The kick was also missed.

Wellington soon had another lineout close to the Bridgwater line and this catch and drive resulting in a try was to become a feature of the game. The conversion was again missed, bringing the scores to 10 apiece.
With half time approaching Bridgy upped their intensity and after some powerful running from Russell, the ball was shifted to the wide right, allowing makeshift winger Clark to score his first of the day. This tricky conversion was also missed.

Not to be outdone Wellington regathered themselves and forced their way downfield, again earning a lineout in close proximity to the Bridgy line, again they caught and drove the ball forward. The Bridgwater pack were unable to successfully deal with the mauling of the Wellington pack and another try was scored, with the conversion again missed, making the scores 15 all at the break.

The second half continued in the same vein. Wellington opened the scoring with another try from a lineout catch and drive, to take the lead for the first time; again the conversion was wide of the mark. Bridgwater responded almost immediately with another good finish from Clark for his second, again the conversion was not successful.

Following more good play Wellington, with their big inside centre making good yardage, yet another lineout was won, caught and driven over the line. The conversion was again wide of the mark.
Bridgwater responded with some fine handling skills and quick recycling of the ball to work their way downfield. A penalty was won seven metres out and the quick tap from Drabble was shifted to Russell who charged over the line to score under the posts. This proved to be the only successful conversion attempt of the day, with Bridgwater regaining the lead at 27-25.

Wellington then applied some good pressure and were rewarded with yet another lineout in goodposition. This was yet again caught and driven over for a try taking the score to 30-27 in Wellington’s favour. With not long left Bridgwater forced their way back down to the other end and looked to emulate the Wellington pack with a catch and drive of their own, however an accidental offside wasgiven right on the try line. Wellington got themselves quickly back down to the other end but the ball was knocked on. Bridgwater won the resultant scrum and looked to attack, however the ball was knocked on and this was the end of the game.

Bridgwater can be happy with the two points taken from this game and will surely look to work on combating opposition mauls during training this week. Wellington played to their strength and were rewarded with the win, 30 points to 27.

Team: Hambleton, Rae, Stradling (Capt), Smith, Clark, Kerry, Drabble, Moulding, Prescott, Ruddle, Innalls, Page-Symonds, Russell, Windsor, Steward. Reps: (used): Walker

Category: 2nd Previews / Reports -XV, 2nd XV News

Comments are closed.