Marlborough 42 – 26 Tunbridge Wells
Saturday saw the 2023–24 season finally come to a climax for both senior sides. The 1st XV was home on the Common, hosting Tunbridge Wells. The 2nd XV were away to Pewsey Vale.
The day was going to be a busy one. A lunch was put on for our match day sponsor, Tom Newby from TMN Construction Services Limited, and his guests, as well as guests from Tunbridge Wells and Dragons RFC, as well as some Marlborough players, both current and others from a bygone era, as well as members of the 1871 club. There was a great atmosphere in the Clubhouse with good food, good company, and a little something to keep the warmth in.
A huge thank you goes out Max Mercer, Zavi Zebedee, Hector Brenk and Ben Fry (U13s) who were relentless in their pursuit of selling raffle tickets and raising funds for the club. No one escaped their clutches.
Eventually it was time for kickoff, and there was a hoolie blowing on the Common. This was to be one of the Marlborough faithful’s favourite players last games for the club, as Meki (Lemeki Moala), who is sadly leaving the club and moving to pastures new, where he will marry his fiancée and start a new life in Wales. We wish him all the very best, but he will be sorely missed. Meki led the boys out onto the pitch through a tunnel formed by some of the U13s from both clubs before they all went on to become ball boys, ensuring the continuity of the game.
The whistle blew, and both teams shot out of the blocks. Marlborough managed to leave one of their best performances for the final game of the season. Although Marlborough started on the front foot, it was Tunbridge Wells who opened the scoring after only five minutes when Marlborough found themselves short of numbers on the outside and let Tunbridge Wells score in the corner, which was then converted.
Within three minutes, it was Marlborough’s turn to strike back with a converted try from Lemeki Moala (Meki), who crashed over from close range, and Will Grant performed the extras.
Marlborough were now starting to settle into their game, and their second try came on the 18th minute, following several phases of play, to set up Oscar Astbury to score in the corner, with Will converting.
Next, it was Tunbridge who scored in the 29th minute from a superb cross-field kick for their winger to score in the corner but was left unconverted.
Marlborough started to express themselves, and just before halftime, Solomone Aniseko (Seko) made a break and performed a superb off-load for Oscar Asrtbury to score his second try of the day, which Grant topped off with the conversion.
Half-Time: Marlborough 21 – 12 Tunbridge Wells
Marlborough started the second half with an air of confidence about them, and they were next to score with a break from Vilami Hakalo (Vili), setting up Sunia Latu to run a great line to score in the corner, and again converted by Wiil Grant in the 50th minute.
Tunbridge Wells were still very much in the fight and hit back quickly with a converted try of their own, following a period of pressure nine minutes later.
Marlborough showed no signs of panic, and they started to put the systems into place that they have been constantly working on in training to good use. Going through several phases to set up the number 8, Save Tuimatanisaqa to score by the post in the 66th minute. And, of course, Grant provided the extras.
Then, ten minutes later, Tunbridge Wells struck back with another converted try of their own. They were not going to roll over and give up, so they kept pushing Marlborough. The Marlborough faithful dared not to believe what they were seeing. They knew the boys had had this in them all season, and with the last roll of the dice scrum half, Will Grant took a quick tap penalty on the halfway line, passing to Sunia Latu to charge in for his second and final try of the game, which was duly converted by Grant’s boot.
Final Score: Marlborough 42 – 26 Tunbridge Wells
The touchline erupted into a frenzy of cheers and whoops; the sound was almost deafening. There were hugs galore on and off the pitch, and faces were beaming with pride for the boys. They did it; they got the win, and what a way to sign off the season by finishing in ninth place within the league. The last few games showed what might have been, but for the horrendous run of injuries from October through January. There are several lessons that need to be learned for next season, one of which is that more strength and depth are needed to be able to compete at level 5 and beyond.
Man of the Match was awarded to Oscar Astbury (sponsored by McVeigh Parker), who scored two tries and was on fire all game. But when Tunbridge Wells were asked to nominate a Marlborough player for Man of the Match, they chose Viliami Hakalo (sponsored by Fine & Country). Tom Newby, who was the matchday sponsor, presented Vili with the Stanley Memorial Cup in honour of his late father-in-law, Graham Stanley. Vili then presented the trophy to Oscar.
The seconds also had a very successful finish to their season, beating Pewsey Vale RFC 46 points to 7 and finishing second in the league. They still have their Dorset & Wilts Cup final against Lytchett Minster on April 20 to play.
The players and the club would like to thank all the sponsors for their continued support this season. Their support is vital and helps to keep rugby on the Common, both for the seniors and the youngsters. We very much hope that they wish to continue being part of Marlborough Rugby’s journey and seeing where it goes, as this season has been rather exciting.
Stagecoach Marlborough perform at Theatre Royal Bath
