Marlborough Rugby - Narrow defeat in St Austell in the Papa Johns Cup

St Austell 25 – 22 Marlborough

On Saturday Marlborough were away to St Austell for their second game in Pool 1 of the Papa John’s Challenge Cup. Most of the boys travelled down the night before, staying in a local hotel, all very kindly provided by club sponsor CRX.

It was a lovely spring day with a fresh coastal breeze, which would end up causing some annoyance within the game. The stands were packed, mainly with home supporters who were in very good voice. Several the Marlborough faithful also made the long journey down. Both sets were hoping that their team would take the win.

As kickoff time approached, the atmosphere was electric. Finally, the whistle blew, and the game was on. After a shaky couple of minutes from both sides, the home team was the first to put points on the scoreboard. Four minutes were gone, and the scores were 7-0.

Not long afterwards, the home side’s prop received a yellow card for lifting his opponent in the ruck. Marlborough quickly took advantage; there was a scrum, with the ball speedily passing along the line into the safe hands of Akariva Seruvatu (Aka) who dotted the ball over the line in the corner. James Clancy’s boot supplied the added extras. On thirteen minutes, the scores were seven points apiece.

The home side started to pick up some momentum. Aka was then shown a yellow card for lifting his opponent in the ruck. The Saints pitched themselves in front of a stubborn Marlborough defensive line, which eventually repelled the danger.

Both sides were trying to assert dominance, but in the twenty-second minute, from a maul, the home side kicked the ball down the field. Ben Fulton gave chase, with the opposition closely behind. The Marlborough spectators held their breath. Could Ben get it down first? Sadly not. The score was now 12-7.

The home side came back again at Marlborough, and on the thirty-seventh minute they scored their third try of the game after finding a gap in Marlborough’s defensive line. Weir Filikitonga went in pursuit, but sadly, his opponent kicked the ball for his teammate to push down over the line, but no conversion.

Just before the halftime whistle blew, Marlborough’s skipper managed to secure the ball in a Marlborough lineout. The ball made its way out to James Clancy, who had to do some clever juggling to keep it in the air and remain in his possession. He pushed on for the line, scoring in the corner, but sadly, he did not convert his own try. Halftime scores: Saints 17 – Marlborough 12.

Hopes were high with the Marlborough spectators; they knew the boys would be going down the slope in the second half, much like at home. The only thing was that the breeze was starting to pick up. The restart was again not particularly smooth, and there was a Marlborough throw-in. Loketi Manu got the ball and charged off down the field towards the try line. He was eventually brought down, and he knocked on the ball. Marlborough won the ball back, but the home side’s discipline was dropping, and Marlborough were awarded a penalty. The Saints were marched 20 metres back for backchat (a similar experience happened to Marlborough later in the half). Viliami Hakalo crashes over the line to get Marlborough’s third try of the day, two minutes from the start of the second half. Marlborough now had a slight lead: Saint’s 17 – Marlborough 19.

Another indiscretion by the home side gave James Clancy the opportunity to score a penalty by going for the posts. The score was slowly widening, Saints 17 – Marlborough 22. The Marlborough faithful were daring to believe Marlborough could do it.

Then on the hour mark, the scores were again level at 22 apiece. The remaining quarter was getting very tense for those watching. Marlborough’s defence was constantly being probed for signs of weakness. On the sixty-ninth minute, Dom Rokomaqisa received an enforced ten-minute break. Then shortly after, the home side had a man in the sin bin.

Marlborough was forced to defend hard as the Saints kept pushing. The Saints knocked the ball on within the 22. Ben Fulton’s participation in the game came to an end when he received a shoulder injury.

The minutes were ticking by. Who was going to blink first? Marlborough had a line out that overshot, and the Saints scooped up the loose ball. Marlborough rushed back to defend and was then pinged for an infringement. The Saints brought up their U20 Cornwall player to take the kick that sailed over the posts. The score was now 25–22.

Marlborough was soon awarded another lineout. Right boys, you know the drill: secure the ball, pass quickly along the line and out to the wing where gas is applied and the try is scored, Sadly, the boys had forgotten the script (twice). The home side got the ball, and on the second attempt at kicking the ball out of play, they were awarded the game.

Marlborough had lost for the first time this season, and it hurt, but that’s rugby, and strange things can happen in competitions. There will be much scrutiny by the boys and the coaches as to where it went wrong as this was not a typical Marlborough performance, but resilience is not learned through life going well; it is how the team moves on but acknowledges errors. There were some good moments, and those watching at home will have enjoyed the game and found it exciting to watch.

Congratulations to St Austell, who were deserving winners and wonderful hosts. Also, thank you for sharing the YouTube link, which allowed Marlborough followers who couldn’t make the game in person to still be able to watch it. Good luck for the remainder of the competition.