Marlborough 16 – St Austell 16
Our second fixture of the afternoon was the 1st XV against St. Austell. On the back of a great win over Royal Wootton Basset last weekend, the 1st XV was relishing the possibility of a third win in a row against bottom-of-the-table St. Austell. Confidence, not complacency was what the coaching staff were looking for during the training sessions in the week.
Another sunny Saturday announced itself on The Common, and the Club was keen to highlight the pitch-side horsebox set up by The Bird Brew Co, selling hot drinks to spectators, dog-walkers, and passers-by… Would we all get what we wanted?
Frankly, no. But not for want of trying. Marlborough had won the toss and elected to play uphill in the first half – always a good choice! But we started badly, gifting the opposition two penalties inside the first five minutes of the game – the second of which gave St. Austell a first kick at goal, and it was good. Marlborough 0-3 St. Austell.
It was destined to be a fractious game – the penalty count for both sides was far too high and the referee’s whistle was getting a severe pounding! The quality of the rugby was decent, by both sides, but the play was being constantly interrupted by the penalties and the referee needing to speak to both teams’ captains, which rather spoilt the spectacle.
Our fly-half, George Shakespeare, kicked us level on twelve minutes with a very fine kick, from some distance and into a strong headwind. Marlborough 3-3 St. Austell. After this it was more of the same until, on 35 minutes, our excellent blind-side flanker, Wate Kuli, fought hard for a great turnover just inside our own half and popped the ball to winger, Akariva Seruvatu. Aka made short work of the opportunity and, side-stepping the opposition, sprinted up the hill to score a tremendous try, right under the posts. The boot of Shakespeare added the extras, and we were looking at a much more comfortable scoreline. Soon afterwards, and with no further score, the referee blew up for half-time.
Half-time – Marlborough 10 – St Austell 03
Players, coaches, and spectators were all hoping for a better, tidier, and more productive second half. We had the slope and the wind and the lead, and so should have been able to capitalise on the situation. Unfortunately, the second half continued in much the same manner as the first, with penalty after penalty against both teams and more interruptions while the captains were spoken to.
On 48 minutes, St. Austell scored when Marlborough were unable to defend an attacking maul, although this try went unconverted – their kicker now having to battle the strong wind. Ten minutes later, they drew ahead with a well-struck penalty. Marlborough 10-11 St. Austell. More penalties, and Shakespeare opted for another kick at goal on 65 minutes. He booted it cleanly through the uprights and Marlborough went back in front 13-11. The slenderest of leads as the clocked ticked down…
Five minutes from time, a try from St. Austell (let in thanks to some extremely poor Marlborough defence) looked likely to be the winning score, although it went unconverted and so there was still a glimmer of hope. Marlborough 13-16 St. Austell.
Marlborough went all-out to win the game. The forwards tried to batter their way across the line with a series of short pick-and-go moves to no avail. A penalty five metres out gave our immense second-row, Metuisela Vereivalu, a chance to crash over – the referee judged that he was ‘held up’ and so, with shredded nerves, we looked like falling short…
However, another penalty by St. Austell meant that, with the final kick of the game Shakespeare had the chance to level things… and he did so with his customary calmness and accuracy from the tee. Both sides and both sets of supporters breathed great sighs of relief. This had been a messy and disjointed game of rugby, but as they say: “Two points are better than none” and we all moved into the warmth of the Clubhouse for the match tea, awards, and refreshments.
Final Score – Marlborough 16 – St Austell 16
The coaches’ and team manager’s perspective:
This was a disappointing display after the win at Bassett last Saturday. Marlborough’s inability to adapt to the conditions let the opposition in and our on-pitch decision-making was poor. Akariva Seruvatu (sponsored by Hi-Lite Roof and Gutter Maintenance Ltd) was the Marlborough Player of the Match; however, special mention must be made of George Shakespeare (sponsored by Byzantine Recycling) for another exemplary display of kicking, Kieran Brown (sponsored by Healthily Toned) for his tackling, and Jimbo Lemon for another fine showing at scrum-half.
Where does this leave Marlborough in the table? As you will see now up to 8th, but in a much better position following this local derby win – click here to view.
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2nd XV (Nomads) v Frome RFC (Also on The Common)
The Nomads took to The Common first on Saturday 25 October, for their re-scheduled match against Frome RFC. Training during the week had been good and productive, but a number of players are still ‘out’ due to injury and many others had work and family commitments. But out we went onto the top pitch in some glorious autumn sunshine and with a fair-sized crowd on the touchline to cheer the boys on.
And things started well for our 2nd XV, with prop and vice-captain for the day, Bradley Whatley, storming through the Frome defence and scoring a great individual try, which he converted himself! A great start: Marlborough 7-0 Frome.
On eighteen minutes Frome came back and scored going up the slope to level the scores, helped by the Nomads having second row, Chas Kindlon, in the bin on a yellow card. But Whatley wasn’t done yet and scored his second – converting his own try again! Marlborough 14-7 Frome.
Ten minutes later, Whatley was forced off with an injury, and so his afternoon was over. But the Nomads looked competitive and, with the likes of returning Club captain and Number 8, Ollie Spanswick, back in Black & Gold for the Club, nobody on the touchline was despondent. However, another silly penalty and another yellow card saw Frome come back to 14-10 just before the end of the first half.
Half-time score: Marlborough 14-10 Frome
After a decent half-time pep-talk, the Nomads went back to it. Sadly, the second half did not go our way at all. Frome scored a converted try soon after the re-start, and another just five minutes later. The scoreline started to flatter the opposition: Marlborough 14-24 Frome.
Three more tries by Frome brought us to Marlborough 14-43 Frome and it looked unlikely that the Nomads would be able to turn it around, especially playing up the hill and into the wind. But these men don’t give up and scrum-half and former Marlborough Colt, Conner Pacey, was rewarded with a good try, sadly not converted. The scoreline read Marlborough 19-43 Frome as we entered the final quarter.
Two more tries by Frome and, as the referee brought things to a close, it had definitely gone Frome’s way.
Final score: Marlborough 14-57 Frome
The coaches’ and team managers’ assessment:
A loss, especially at home, is always tough to deal with. In this case, and particularly since for much of the first half we were the better side, it was a bitter pill to swallow. Our discipline was not as good as it should have been, and we did not play as coherent a game as we have done previously.
However, let’s be clear – the over-riding sentiment is that these Nomads can and should hold their heads high. We are at Counties 1 and are coming up against the 1st XVs of many of the Clubs we are now playing. We are where we are thanks to some real hard work and the boys deserve great credit. It is going to be a tough season, and nobody will deny that. The performances – individual and collective – are just about there and, with a few tweaks and a bit more ‘game time’ for some, we will prevail!
The Marlborough Player of the Match was Jack Robins for an all-round display on the wing against stiff opposition. But it was pats on the backs all round when the boys went into the warmth of the Clubhouse for the match tea, awards, and refreshments.
3G Pitch / Weekend Lettings Co-ordinator – St John’s Marlborough
