Marlborough 55 – 31 Oakmeadians
After a fabulous end to the league season, with both the 1st XV and the Nomads securing home wins in the sunshine on The Common, Saturday 12 April dawned bright and we were all eagerly anticipating the Counties 2 play-off match for promotion…
The Nomads had trained well during the week, and there was a confident air at the Club as supporters and families arrived to watch.
We were treated to… a very slow start by Marlborough! We were sluggish at best from the kick-off, and broadly gifted Oakmeadians (who had the slope advantage in the first half) a penalty goal after just two minutes and then a converted try scarcely five minutes after that… Not even ten minutes of the game gone, and it was Marlborough 0-10 Oakmeadians. The large and very vocal group of Oaks’ travelling supporters was revelling in our discomfort; the home crowd was silent…
To their credit, there was no panic from the men of Marlborough and we drew breath and looked to find our focus. After some excellent build-up play, with the Nomads’ forwards and backs working together in a set of strong and coherent phases, our fly-half, Vili Vunipola, threw a well-timed and expertly judged long pass out to the flying centre, Waisake Laulaba, who ran a wonderfully straight line to score. Although unconverted, this try brought the home supporters back to life and gave the boys some much-needed self-confidence.
We settled down, and started to play more determined and consistent rugby. On seventeen minutes scrum-half, Manatu Leileifi, broke from the base of a ruck on the 22-metre line, and beat the Oaks’ defence to score a fine solo try! This was converted by Laulaba and we were Marlborough 12-10 Oakmeadians. As is often the case, a slim lead is difficult to defend, and Oakmeadians were clearly intent on reining us back in. They applied some decent pressure and we were penalised. They took a quick tap-and-go penalty and we were too slow getting back and reorganised – they scored and converted a well-deserved try. Marlborough 12-17 Oakmeadians…
But back we came. The boys delivered a near-perfect training ground move, which had been well-rehearsed. From the base of our powerful scrum, the ball went through the hands to Laulaba, who shrugged off the tacklers and went over to score his second of the afternoon; not converted. Scores tied at Marlborough 17-17 Oakmeadians with ten minutes left to play in the first half.
We kept the pressure on were now starting to dominate the game. However, the boys were guilty of silly and unforced errors and trying to over-play, which let them down a little. With the final play of what had been a thrilling first half, and after a very nice build-up with Marlborough going through the phases and edging ever closer to the Oakmeadians’ line, Leileifi picked the ball up from the base of the ruck, went for the tiniest of gaps, and smashed through to score! His second of the afternoon was neatly converted by Vili Vunipola and we went into the break feeling pretty comfortable with the scoreline and the performance so far…
Half-time score: Marlborough 24 – 17 Oakmeadians
The men were treated to an extremely constructive and ‘to the point’ half-time talk from coaches Ras and Adam, which left them in no doubt about the improvements that were expected and what was needed in the second half – when we would have the benefit of playing down the slope.
The Marlborough players had obviously taken on board the half-time talk. Just three minutes after the restart our Number 8, Wate Kuli, picked and broke from the base of the scrum about thirty metres out from the line. He had openside flanker, Leone Vakaruru, on his shoulder. Kuli off-loads to Vakaruru in the tackle in tremendous ‘islander’ fashion, and Vakaruru beats a number of scrambling defenders to score an excellent try! Vili Vunipola adds the extras, and it is a fine start to the second period, with the scoreboard reading Marlborough 31-17 Oakmeadians.
But Oakmeadians were not done yet. They were still looking dangerous and had Marlborough under considerable pressure right up onto our own 5-metre line. As they looked to spin the ball out to their wingers, our own winger, Dylan Davies, made an exceptional interception, managed to keep hold of the ball, and sprinted the length of the pitch to score under the posts! Again, this try was converted by Vili Vunipola and Marlborough had definitely gained the upper hand. Marlborough 38-17 Oakmeadians.
Barely four minutes later, and we were back on the board – taking a quick tap-and-go penalty, we went through a couple of rapid phases, and Leileifi (that man again!) sniped over for his hat-trick! Converted by Vili Vunipola. Within another ten minutes, we scored again – with another training ground move, this time from an attacking line-out, the ball was secured by the ‘tight five’ and mauled ahead a good few metres; ball at the back and out to the back row forwards and it’s Kuli who takes it straight and true into the defence, breaking through tackles to score. Converted by Vili Vunipola and we break the 50-point barrier! It is Marlborough 52-17 Oakmeadians and the clock is ticking down…
Oakmeadians were still playing some good rugby and the Nomads might well have switched off a bit… not a good tactic in play-off rugby! After a period of constant pressure, the Oaks scored a converted try on 66 minutes and another from a quickly taken line-out ten minutes later. Marlborough 52-31 Oakmeadians and there is still some time to play…
But the boys found their groove again and dominated the last ten or so minutes, piling on the pressure and the final score of the match came from a penalty kick, expertly taken by substitute fly-half, Ratu Vuniivi, whose 3-pointer gave us an unassailable lead and the referee brough things to a close…
Final score: Marlborough 55 – 31 Oakmeadians
Wow! From a tense and very even first half to a second half dominated by the Nomads, the crowd on The Common was treated to an excellent game of rugby. The best thing? The Nomads are PROMOTED! The boys will play at the RFU’s Counties level 1 next season! What an accolade and what a way to earn it!
A number of players and team staff can be singled out for their performances and commitment – in this game and throughout the season.
Obvious stand-out mentions are for our two players of the match: Wate Kuli (for the forwards) and Waisake Laulaba (for the backs). Scrum-half, Manatu Leileifi, for his excellent control and his three-try haul. Winger, Taine Pollinger, for his excellent defence in the first half. Kieran Brown and Lotu Vunipola for their outstanding defensive play, and noting Lotu’s aggressive ball carrying. Fly-half, Vili Vunipola, (who has only recently turned 18 years old) for his game management and an impressive range of passes. This is a heady mix of youthful players and veterans – the team captain and second row, Jamie Pittams, gave a mature skipper’s performance and made some great carries.
The team management deserve special acknowledgement, too. It has been a hard slog and without the likes of Adam, Ras, Lucy, and Phil on the touchline, we would never have been able to secure this promotion. Hats off to them – they deserve a break…!
However, their repose will be short-lived! The Nomads have a brief time to cool off now before they are back in action on The Common on Saturday 26 April when they host Wimborne II in the Counties’ Cup competition semi-final match! Can the boys do the triple? Win the league? Done! Secure promotion? Done! Win the Cup? We will have to wait and see. The Nomads won it last season, beating Lytchett Minster in a close game. Let’s see if we can defend the silverware as we have successfully defended #FortressMarlborough this season…
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Club Life:
We had a tremendous sporting dinner in the Town Hall on Friday 11 April, with guest speaker Wayne Barnes OBE – arguably the rugby world’s most successful referee, having officiated in 111 test matches, including in five Rugby World Cups and many Six Nations tournaments.
The Club supporters were out in force, packing the Town Hall for a most enjoyable evening, with tasty food, great company, and wonderful entertainment. As you might expect from a barrister, he was eloquent, funny, full of anecdotes and accessible to all, talking with groups both before and after the meal. Thanks to everyone who helped and supported the event – particularly our very own Amanda Palmer and the Club’s bar staff and support team.
Having unveiled the 90th anniversary wall of engraved bricks last weekend, we can confirm that there are still a limited number of bricks left to purchase – please see the form here for more information: Marlborough Rugby – …celebrating our history and securing our future…
As mentioned above, the Nomads have more rugby to play. Please come up to The Common to support them in their fixtures against Wimborne RFC on Saturday 26 April. The kick-off in this all-important semi-final game is at 15:00. Support your local club – you know it makes sense!
“Someone is going to die there…” Dangerous pothole on B4192 causing damage, accidents but still there – UPDATE – Pothole Filled
