Marlborough 21 – 12 Banbury
Marlborough made it four wins from four to start their first ever season at level 6 and in terrible wet and windy conditions. As most people know the weather can be bad on the Common and this was certainly one of those occasions. The team like a fast and open running game, but this certainly was not what was faced on Saturday. However, this season the team has certainly meant business and are excited and ready to meet all the challenges.
Marlborough started the game well, scoring the first try of the game after nine minutes. The try began at a lineout which saw the ball released out to Inosi Laqekoro, who was well supported by Todd Johnson. The ball was worked out to the backs and a good move involving Pio Tuwai and Joeli Radovu, saw the ball moved out to Miteli Vulkijapani, who beat the last man before running in from out wide to score under the posts. Tom West converted to make it 7-0.
Despite missing a penalty kick at goal, it was still Marlborough who scored next. West was looking to kick another penalty to touch, but sliced the kick into midfield, Miteli Vulkijapani competed for the ball in the air, grabbed it and then outpaced the Banbury winger to again score under the posts. Outside half Tom West added the extras to make it 14-0.
Marlborough continued to try and play their attacking free flowing brand of rugby that makes them great to watch and always a danger to score. However, the weather and a wet slippery ball meant that knocks were inevitable.
The second half saw Banbury come back into the game, they applied a lot of pressure before getting a penalty try, at the same time a yellow card for Vulkijapani, Banbury were back in touch at 14-7.
Despite being a man down Marlborough extended the lead with the try of the game. Amori Nailago, who had come on just after half time, put in superb cross field kick over to the right and Joeli Radovu caught the ball one handed in the air and sprinted his way over. An amazing catch made even more incredible given the weather. West again converted to make it 21-7.
As Marlborough then looked to close out the game and with Vulkijapani returned to the game, they then lost Lemeki Moala, who was given a yellow for a high tackle although it appeared that the Banbury player had slipped into the tackle. Banbury scored from the resulting penalty with a good rolling maul that saw their skipper Ian Isham go over. The conversion was missed and the score was 21-12.
It was good to see the introduction of Jack Lynd, in the second half who is returning from a bad ankle injury. Plus, the home side lost scrum half Jake Williams, to an injury which meant West finished the game at scrum half. Banbury did apply pressure as the game finished, but it was Marlborough who were able to celebrate the win and now look forward to their first ever visit to Beaconsfield RFC this coming Saturday.