Marlborough 66 – 24 Matson
On Saturday, Marlborough hosted an exciting double header on the Common. The 2nd XV faced Minety and secured a convincing victory with a score of 57-31, maintaining their perfect winning streak so far this season. Despite a few early hiccups, they quickly found their rhythm and started scoring tries. Their next match is scheduled for Saturday, 28 September, away against Swindon College Old Boys.
Meanwhile, the 1st XV welcomed Matson for their first visit to the Common, delivering a thrilling game for the Marlborough faithful. A big thank you goes to the matchday sponsor, WG Bulk Logistics Ltd, for their generous support on the day.
Matson started off strong, scoring from a driving maul after an attacking line-out just three minutes into the game, though the try went unconverted. Marlborough quickly responded with a penalty from Will Grant. However, Will missed a relatively straightforward penalty kick shortly after, which would have put the home side ahead.
For the next thirty minutes, the match was evenly contested between the two sides, with Marlborough showing flashes of their potential once they settled down. At the 35-minute mark, Matson scored again following a less-than-ideal defensive effort from Marlborough, and this time the try was converted. Marlborough struck back almost immediately with an individual try from Sione Matakaiongo (Jay), which Will Grant successfully converted.
It seemed the teams would head into halftime tied at 10-10, but some poor decision-making by the home side at a defensive line-out allowed the visitors to score with a well-executed cross-field kick, finished off by their winger. This try was also unconverted.
Half-Time: Marlborough 10 – 17 Matson
The halftime talk showcased the excellent coaching team that the Director of Rugby Elisi Vunipola has assembled. The backs and forwards split off with their respective coaches for focused discussions, then reconvened with Elisi for the final few minutes. The atmosphere was calm, constructive, and positive. Captain for this match Chris Diamond then delivered an inspiring rallying call, leaving Marlborough 100% “Cocked & Loaded” for the second half.
Marlborough came out strong in the second half, increasing both their tempo and physicality while reducing the errors from the first half. Just four minutes after the restart, lightning-quick new signing Sam Ledua scored, with Will Grant converting. Three minutes later, young Taine Pollinger, the younger brother of Niall, who played for the 1st XV last season, who was having an outstanding game, scored a try, also converted by Grant.
At the 51-minute mark, new second-row player Ryan Nabuni added another try, again converted by Will Grant. Marlborough began to hit their stride, with the coaches making excellent use of the bench. Taine Pollinger moved to inside centre, replacing the youngster Ben Thrift, and Dylan Davies came onto the wing. Dylan scored with his first touch, finishing off a well-constructed backs move at 59 minutes, superbly converted by Grant.
Five minutes later, Sam Ledua scored his second try of the day, showcasing outstanding finishing by running half the length of the pitch and Grant converting. On 68 minutes, Sam Ledua completed his hat-trick, again converted by Will Grant.
To Matson’s credit, they continued to challenge Marlborough and scored a converted try at 70 minutes. This seemed to spur Marlborough on, even though they were down to 14 men after using up their bench and taking Fly-Half Jay off as a precaution due to an injury. Akariva Seruvatu (Aka) displayed his extreme pace to score at 74 minutes, which was duly converted by Will Grant. In the dying minutes of the game, Akariva Seruvatu (Aka) added a final try to the proceedings, which was also duly converted by Will Grant.
Final Score: Marlborough 66 – 24 Matson
It’s hard to single out individual players after such an impressive team performance. Sam Ledua (as yet unsponsored) was named ‘Man of the Match’, but it was a tough decision by the coaches. Will Grant’s distribution and kicking performances were outstanding, and Sione Matakaiongo’s (Jay) individual skill and game management from fly-half were spot on. Despite losing the magnificent Meki (Lemeki Moala) and Seko (Solomone Aneseko) from the front row, their replacements Halani Aulika and Ilisavani Nasemira (Nas), along with Ash Horner and Save Tuimatanisaqa, were outstanding.
In the second row, Marlborough faced potential issues with long-term injuries and unavailability’s, but Ryan Nabuni stepped up, and Marlborough stalwart James Marshall, though only 26, moved from the back row to the second row. Marlborough also missed their influential captain and back row talisman James Farrell, but new addition to the 1st XV, Chris Diamond, stepped in as if he’d been with the club his entire rugby career and led the team magnificently.
Kieran Brown was outstanding off the bench, playing both back row and hooker. Taine Pollinger, who played both wing and outside centre, is improving every week and was outstanding yesterday. Dylan Davies came off the bench and scored with his first touch, fitting in seamlessly to the 1st XV squad.
A special mention also goes to the youngster Ben Thrift, who stepped up from last year’s Colts to make his first team debut on Saturday. Ben started at outside centre but can also play back row. Unfortunately, we lose Ben to university now, but he has been outstanding for Marlborough throughout the junior section and showed yesterday just what we will miss. We wish him every success and will welcome him back with open arms whenever he is available to play.
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