Marlborough 43 – 10 Horsham
Saturday saw a double header up on the Common, where both teams were home. The 1st XV hosted Horsham, and this was their first visit to Marlborough and one they would possibly like to forget for a few reasons. Firstly, they had to leave home at 9.30 am due to diversions in place because of scheduled work on the M25. Secondly, they did not go away with any league points.
Fortunately, the weather was dry, grey, and there was a breeze that could cause some nuisance, but at least it wasn’t raining. Someone remembered to turn the tap off!
A huge thank you to our ‘Match Day Sponsor’ Haigh Joinery Services, who kindly supported the day. The club is very grateful for all the support it receives from our sponsors, as well as all the time put in by those who hold voluntary roles, the coaches, and the support from those who work the bar and kitchen.
This was an important game for both teams, but the home side was feeling confident. Marlborough lost the toss, and so the boys would be playing downhill. Luckily, this didn’t affect Marlborough’s ability to score tries, as within eight minutes ‘of the whistle being blown, Man of the Match’ Sunia Latu scored an unconverted try. The move started with a dominant run by Sunia and was then finished off with him picking up the ball from a ruck to score.
Horsham did have a period of attack but was well defended by Marlborough, all be it with conceding several penalties in the red zone. Roko Waicolayawa received a team yellow. Horsham finally decided that their pressure wasn’t working, and they needed a score, so they decided to kick a penalty goal on 13 minutes.
Marlborough struck back almost immediately with a penalty from Will Grant. Though Marlborough were playing down the slope, they did enjoy a dominant period, but they perhaps didn’t capitalise as much as they could have, and they were playing into the wind. However, after 32 minutes, they broke the deadlock. From an attacking line out, they set up a maul and then a ruck, from which the number 8, John Brown, picked up the ball and dove over the white paint for a converted try courtesy of Will Grant’s boot.
Sadly, Marlborough lost their skipper, Ollie Spanswick, with a dislocated shoulder, which has put a slight damper on the end of his season. As usual, he was having a great game, being a pest to the opposition, and getting involved with everything.
Marlborough continued to be the dominant team, with the scrum in particular working well. With the last play of the first half, another dominant run from Sunia set up a ruck from which the ball was fed out to Marlborough’s flying winger Akariva Seruvatu (Aka) to score his first try of the day, which was duly converted by Grant.
Half-Time: Marlborough 22 – 3 Horsham
The Marlborough coaches basically told the boys to cut the number of errors but otherwise keep doing what they were doing. The boys knew it was going to be more difficult in the second half as they were going uphill, but this was their turf, and they know how to use the conditions to their advantage, including the tail wind. Some of the Horsham guys were already cramping up in the first half.
Marlborough started the second half well, with Akariva Seruvatu (Aka) scoring his second try of the day in the 48th minute, which was set up by the returning Viliami Hakalo and was kindly converted by Grant.
Marlborough were now starting to click but unfortunately still making the old silly error and were then down to thirteen men on the pitch with Lemeki Moala (Meki) and Solomone Aniseko (Seko) given cards. Fortunately, Meki was able to return after his enforced ten-minute break and the remainder of Marlborough’s game was played with fourteen.
On the 68th minute, yet another incredible run from Sunia, set scrum-half Will Grant to charge up the pitch. The Marlborough faithful were screaming, encouraging him to run as fast as he could. They could see the upcoming try, but sadly, Will didn’t quite have the legs to cover the 50m dash. When the visitors caught up with him, second-row player Aporosa Masicola (Masi) was on hand to collect the ball to score, which was obviously converted by Grant.
Horsham were still extremely competitive, and they scored a converted try of their own in the 76th minute. With the final play of the game, Marlborough’s “Man Mountain” Save Tuimatanisaqa broke from 15 metres out to score through the middle of the posts, which was again converted by Will Grant.
Final Score: Marlborough 43 – 10 Horsham
This was a much better performance by Marlborough and was thoroughly enjoyed by those watching from the sidelines. Sunia had an awesome game. He consistently stormed through from the back, showing blistering speed, and just ran rings around the Horsham defence, making plenty of metres and constantly helping the team get on the front foot. Will Grant also put in a good shift with that boot of his, both out of the hand and off the tee.
Marlborough’s defence was generally on point, but there was the occasional slight lapse in concentration, but they kept attacking with vigour even when going uphill.
Marlborough’s 2nd XV won their league game against a slightly depleted Supermarine team, 57 points to nil. There is no getting away from the fact that over the last few weeks, the return of injured players has made a massive impact on Marlborough’s performances for both teams. Also, the recruitment of players that was necessitated by the number of early-season long-term injuries has added strength in depth at the club. A prime example is young 18-year-old full back/wing Ben Hurford-John, who has played some first-team rugby this season and scored five tries for the 2nd XV on Saturday, earning him ‘Man of the Match’. But sadly, returning player Joe Pittams will be on the sidelines again after fracturing his cheekbone.
Next Saturday, the 1st XV will be hosting league leaders (Regional 1 South Central) Havant on the Common, and this will be their first experience playing here. Marlborough remains in the tenth position within the league and needs to at least remain in this position for the remainder of the season. Havant want promotion, so this will be a must-win game for both teams, but who will be the victors?
The Merchant’s House Museum – re-opening tomorrow with a ‘Marlborough at War’ exhibition
