Marlborough 58 – 5 Grove RFC
On Saturday, Marlborough hosted Grove RFC for the first game of the new season, up on the Common. Expectations were high both from the players and the Marlborough spectators. The weather was warm, quite typical for September, but what was not the norm, was the extremely hard ground conditions. Though the clouds did look a little threatening at times, the only slight annoyance was the breeze that would whip up just at the wrong moment, especially for the kickers.
It was 3.00 pm, finally after 133 days, it was time for rugby to be played again on Marlborough Common. Straight from the kick off, Marlborough were hungry for the ball, Joe Visei picked up the ball from the back of the scrum, whilst taking out two of the defenders. There was a quick pass out to Will Grant, who then passed to Will Reeve (newcomer to the Marlborough family) who had come into the line which in turn set the winger, Callum Hunt free to score an unconverted try.
After such a great start, Marlborough struggled to get their rhythm back, sometimes trying to force the game, everyone was just a little too eager. Marlborough were still the dominant force. After twenty minutes, Marlborough had an attacking line out, and maul, after one phase, the ball was again passed out to Will Reeve to finish with a try. Sadly, this too was unconverted; the breeze was making conditions a little trying for the kickers.
Grove kicked for the restart, only for it to go straight into touch. From the back of the scrum, Joe Visei picked up the ball and ran, tying in Grove defenders. The ball went out to the centre, Joe Pittams, who quickly passed it onto Ben Fulton, who was lurking out on the wing. He finished well from the 22 with a couple of cheeky sidesteps. Again, the ball just going wide of the posts – no conversion.
Elisi Vunipola’s, player to watch, as stated in the match day programme, Will Reeve, took a difficult clearing kick, set up the attack, then phase one to second row player Jamie Pittams. He escaped the clutches of two defenders, saw open space in front of the goal posts and decided to go airborne to get Marlborough’s next try which was converted. Not sure it was one of his best ideas, but no ribs were broken when landing.
Grove fired back immediately; they did not want to finish the first half with no points on the score board. Marlborough’s concentration slackened for a moment defending a line out maul. Grove grabbed the opportunity and got their only points of the game.
Half-Time: Marlborough 22- Grove RFC 5.
The half time pep talk was a little terse, the Marlborough coaches were not overly happy with the boys. Put the first half behind them and move on! The message obviously got through, Marlborough won the ball from the kick off, the boys were showing real intent and after five quick phases, Solomone Aniseko (Seko) brushed aside two defenders to put the ball down over the line. Sadly, the try was unconverted.
The visitors were clawing themselves back into the game, but Marlborough’s defence were tight and uncompromising. Grove did a poor exit kick which was scooped up by Amori Nailago, supported by Will Reeve, who passed the ball onto Ben Fulton, scoring his second try of the game by the posts which was converted by Will Grant.
On the fifty-fifth minute, Solomone Aniseko (Seko) also scored his second try of the game, Will Reeve missed the conversion. Marlborough had stolen the ball off Grove in the line out, followed by a typical Jack Lynd (Man of the Match) storming run, who off loaded to the new fly half, Vili Hakalo (player coach).
Shortly afterwards, Callum Hunt also gained his second try of the game, with a pre-planned move from the line out which was also not converted.
In the final ten minutes of the game, youngster, Dylan Davies came off the bench. Dylan has come through the age groups at Marlborough, playing for the 2nd XV team last season, and has now earned his stripes in the 1st XV. The perfect start for him, with his first touch of the ball, he scored under the post; converted by Will Reeve.
Just when you thought that was it, Joe Pittams decided he was not going to be outdone by his big brother, he split Grove’s defence just outside the 22 and ran into touch and put down the ball, and for the cherry on top of the cake, Will Reeve gets the conversion.
Final Score: Marlborough 58 – Grove RFC 5.
This was a good start for Marlborough, but the consensus from both the players and the coaches was that there is room for improvement. The positives, which there were a good few; Jack Lynd was outstanding in his work ethic and power. The renewed second row partnership with Jamie Pittams. Of course, the dream team which is the Marlborough front row, they have lost nothing over the summer and the youngster Bradley Whatley is going from strength to strength, plus the more senior members of Lemeki Moala (Meki), Solomone Aniseko (Seko) and Ash Horner did ok.
Marlborough also has a few new signings for this season; Vili Hakalo and Will Reeve both showed that Marlborough were lucky to have them.
Next week, the boys are off to Swindon, it has been a while since these two teams have come up against each other. The boys will want to have ironed their issues out during the training sessions in the week, hopefully coming out a much-improved outfit.
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