Marlborough 27 – 22 Dorset Dockers
Marlborough again suffered a narrow defeat in a thrilling encounter on the Common. The first score of the game came after just 2 minutes with some excellent rucking allowing scrum half James Farrell to spin the ball out to Moree Nailago who in turn set up Russ Westcott and he then put wing Pita Robanakadavu in the corner to score. The conversion was narrowly missed.
The sides then exchanged penalties before the home team won another penalty after some great rucking by flanker Hugo O’Neill. Dorset Dockers got a try of their own to make it 11-10. Nathan Morgan got another penalty before the first of 2 quick sin bin offences for the home team. First Chris Budgen and then shortly after Adam Whatley who was some what harshly sin binned. Down to 13 men the visitors took advantage and scored a second try which was converted. Half time score 14-17.
Fullback Nathan Morgan kicked another penalty early in the second half to level the scores again at 17-17. The Dockers scored again and converted with some good play by their backs. Morgan kicked another penalty soon after to make it 20-24 to the visitors. The restart by the away team was caught by Pita who immediately started an attack. Nailago made a break before a good ruck was set up by O’Neill. Farrell passed the ball and Budgen made a hard run down the centre before passing to Tevita Kiurutuba who made a great break down the wing and then pass inside to Pita to score his second try.
The home side now led 27-24. The next score was a penalty to the Dockers to again level the scores. Both sides then looked to score the winning points and it was to be the away team who got the score after a loose pass was picked up and the Dockers dived over the line to score.
Once again a dominate scrum and a narrow defeat for Marlborough and a lot of confidence can be taken from the way the team is playing.
Next week is the cup game at home to Bradford on Avon