Marlborough 36 – 12 Matson
The 1st XV beat Matson 36 v 12 whilst playing on the neighbouring pitch the 2nd XV who played really well managed to hang on to a close win 27 v 26 against Swindon
Match Report:
A difficult week for Marlborough after the awful performance against RWB. But 2 good training sessions in the week, and a few harsh home truths, helped by the return of a couple of key players meant that Marlborough started Saturday’s match with: a) A much improved mind set & b) Feeling they had a point to prove having let themselves down last weekend.
The pitch conditions not ideal after rain all week (with the match only being confirmed to go ahead following an 8am pitch inspection).
It was clear from the kick off that this was a different Marlborough team. Fly Half George Shakespeare kicking Marlborough ahead with a penalty after 6 minutes. However, Matson had come to play and were causing Marlborough some problems and scored themselves on 15 minutes with a very well worked try that started with an attacking scrum setting up some nice phases for them to score in the corner. Unconverted.
To their credit Marlborough now very much stuck to the game plan. They were playing up the hill in poor conditions but scrum half Will Grant’s tactical kicking and fly half George Shakespeare’s decision making were on point. On 30 minutes this paid off. Number 8 Ratu Saqanavere made an excellent break from halfway giving Marlborough excellent attacking field position. A scrum just outside the Matson 5 metre line was won by Marlborough followed by some tight phases by the forwards with tight head prop Lemaki Moala crashing over to score. Converted by George Shakespeare. Marlborough’s patience and cool heads were starting to pay off. Playing the conditions with good tactical kicking. On 36 minutes from a line out the backs were starting to show what they could do setting up some good attacking phases. Then an excellent line break from 2nd row Ryan Nabuni who ran in to score. Converted by George Shakespeare.
Half-time – Marlborough 17 – 5 Matson
Calm and clear instructions from the coaches at halftime and an air of confidence from the players. They had listened to and carried out the given game plan. And it was working.
Although this was a much-improved performance from Marlborough it was by no means one way traffic.
On 50 minutes Matson had a penalty just outside the Marlborough 22. Marlborough were caught napping with Matson taking a quick tap getting the ball wide with the Marlborough defence not yet set to score in the corner. Converted.
No panic from Marlborough although they were clearly unhappy with themselves having switched off for a few vital seconds to allow Matson a foothold back into the game. Now at 17-12 it was very much game on. On 55 minutes Marlborough had a scrum on the Matson 10 metre line. Kevini Tuaimei’api picked the ball up from the back of the scrum then sprinted down the blind side touch line breaking tackles and handing off the final defender to score in the corner. A magnificent individual try. Converted by George Shakespeare.
Marlborough were starting to play some very nice rugby, but Matson were still very much making it an extremely competitive and hard-fought game. The next score from Marlborough started with an excellent opportunist break by Will Grant from halfway being finally tackled just inside the Matson 22. This set Marlborough up to play some very well worked phases for George Shakespeare to score in the corner. George then converted his own try.
Marlborough had one more score left. Ryan Nabuni charged down a clearance kick from Matson. Ryan then kicked the ball through setting up a ruck from which Marlborough got into their attacking shape setting up Akariva Seruvatu to score. Unconverted. Matson still did not give up and to their credit stuck at their task until the final whistle. The game ended with Marlborough successfully defending their try line from an extremely determined Matson attack. penalty from Roko Waicolayawa and Launceston converting three penalties.
Final Score – Marlborough 36 – 12 Matson
This was an extremely encouraging performance from Marlborough. Helped by the return of a couple of key experienced players.
The 2nd row combination of Aporosa Masicola and Ryan Nabuni was very influential. Young front rows Jacob Te Rangi and Nicaiah Boynton are really fronting up and being helped by the enormously experienced Lemaki Moala. Moving Kevini Tuaimei’api from centre to Blind Side Flanker was also a key decision with Kevini having possibly his best every game for Marlborough and being joint Man of the Match.
It was a worry when the very influential Number 8 Ratu Saqanvere had to come off with an injury but Kevini moved across to Number 8. Marlborough adjusted and took it in their stride. The return of club captain Chris Diamond from injury coming on for the final 20 minutes was also a big boost. In the back line Will Grant at Scrum Half had a magnificent match making him joint Man of the Match. Will is now starting to form a nice partnership with Fly Half George Shakespeare.
Outside the 2 half backs the experience of Roko Waicolayawa is extremely important and helpful to the younger backs. Moving winger Akariva Seruvatu into the inside centre position has also worked well. He is a fantastic strike runner and his experience in organising the defence at outside centre worked well. Full Back Shane van Wyk was moved to the wing and slotted in seamlessly. On the other wing the returning Osea Tunidau had a great game both in attack and defence. At only 19 young Vili Vunipola is becoming Marlborough’s mister versatile. This season he has been asked to play 9/10/12/15. His defence/kicking and decision making yesterday was exemplary.”
So what does that mean in relation to the tables?
We now have 21 points ahead of Matson who remain on 15. Chew Valley played Brixham and lost 25 V 58 leaving them directly above us but with 30 points. The team fourth from bottom, RWB did not play last Saturday.
Our magnificent 2nd XV win cements their position at 10th in the table with 18 points above Swindon (14 points) and Chippenham (7 points). The good news – we are on the same number of points at Trowbridge II and the gap to Corsham above them is small.
Ramsbury Distillery become official spirit sponsor for Badminton Horse Trials
