Marlborough 50 – Newbury 3
On Saturday, the 1st XV hosted Newbury Blues on the Common for another local derby. The expectation was that this was going to be a tough contest, as previously the games have been very close. This was game three in the Regional 2 Tribute South Central League.
There was a fantastic crowd on the common. Both sets of supporters were expecting their team to win. The playing conditions were good. It was a lovely autumnal afternoon. The bit of rain had greened the common, giving a little more cushioning than two weeks prior.
The boys finally had their new kit to wear, which included the new sponsor – Deacons Jewellers (Marlborough). Before the game started, as with all other matches across the rugby community this weekend, a minute’s silence was observed in respect of Her Majesty the Queen.
It was an even start to the match, Marlborough were attacking but Newbury held a solid defence. After ten minutes, Akariva Seruvatu (Aka) flew through the defence with a wonderful finish. Callum Hunt caught a box kick and passed it to Will Reeve, who set Aka free to beat two men and score in the corner, but the conversion failed.
The visitors’ defence hardened, and they kicked a penalty. They were eventually broken down with a pre-called move from the training field. An attacking scrum from Marlborough was set up; Will Grant passed to Will Reeve, with a dummy run from centre Joe Pittams, to set up Callum Hunt, who was lurking out on the wing, free to split the Newbury defence with his great pace to score an unconverted try.
Shortly after the re-start, Siaosi Feaomefiui (Toti) charged down a clearing kick to score, unopposed, which was then converted by Will Grant’s boot.
Half-Time: Marlborough 17 – Newbury 3
The coaches gave the boys a very positive half-time talk: “Keep doing what you are doing but do it better.”
The start of the second half saw Newbury defending very well and Marlborough were again guilty of trying to force the game, which is what they have done in their previous two games. But, finally, after around sixty-five minutes, things started to click for the home side. Following a line-out steal from Ollie Spanswick, setting up a ruck with a quick ball from scrum-half Will Grant to hooker, Solomone Aniseko (Seko), who charged over the line to score a converted try courtesy of Will Grant.
Very quickly, Marlborough were back on the hunt for their next score. Joe Visei picked the ball up from the base of the scrum, tying in Newbury defenders; he passed the ball out to Will Grant, who then popped it out to the prowling Callum Hunt, who, with nowhere to go, took three Newbury defenders over the line with him for a fantastic finish. Sadly, no conversion.
Marlborough were on a roll. Two minutes later, Akariva Servatu (Aka) set off at a serious pace (he still thinks he is playing for CRX Marlborough 7s). He quickly offloaded to Ben Fulton, who, when tackled by the opposition, set Will Reeve up to score a converted try.
The next try was followed almost immediately by Ollie Spanswick. A line out turnover, then a maul, allowed Ollie to score a converted try thanks to Will Grant.
Marlborough was not finished yet; the clock was still ticking, and they were hungry for more. From the kick off, a superb run from the back row; James Marshall, across to Ben Fulton to score, kindly converted again by Will Grant.
Final Score: Marlborough 50 – Newbury 3
Though Marlborough played well, there is still plenty of room for improvement. The team are starting to gel, which has come about through continuity both in players’ attending training and availability for team selection on a Saturday. Sadly, the 2nd XVs game had to be postponed due to the lack of a match day official. Even so, many of the boys turned up for an extra training session so that they are ready for next week when they will be home to Swindon II.
Again, it has been extremely hard for 1st XV Head Coach (Director of Rugby) Elisi Vunipola to pick out individuals, but he felt that Joe Visei deserved to be awarded ‘Man of the Match’. His sheer power and dogged determination to get the ball and get it to the score line never dwindle. Callum Hunt, who is the pin-up player for the Club U10s (they are his sponsors), probably had his best game yet for Marlborough.
As usual, the front row is a force to be reckoned with; Lemeki Moala (Meki) Solomone Anisek (Seko) and the club’s new signing, Simon Pilkington, were excellent. When Meki needed a break, the fresh legs of Bradley Whatley stepped in seamlessly.
Ben Fulton is now playing some of his best rugby ever for Marlborough after having a disrupted season last year with some serious injuries. The team are also benefiting from the experience of two new quality players whom Marlborough have attracted this season in the form of Vili Hakalo and Will Reeve, who are now very much part of the Marlborough family. Their input and leadership, both in games and at training, has been immense.
Sir John Sykes: A Service of Thanksgiving for his life at St Mary’s Church
