Windsor 15 – 27 Marlborough
In spite of the journey being long, fraught with roadworks and closed junctions it’s amazing how a trip down the M4 into East Berkshire can work wonders.
After a series of difficult results, last Saturday Marlborough 1st XV visited Windsor, one position higher than them in the league and gave a strong and winning performance.
Again, the 1st XV was lacking players due to long-term injury and late withdrawals due to family emergencies. Not the ideal start to the game but the team was bolstered by several second team players who stepped up and performed admirably.
Within five minutes of the whistle blowing, Mesake Kini charged down a Windsor clearing kick, picked up the ball and ran through, putting the first points on the scoreboard, but sadly there was no conversion. Within three minutes, Windsor struck back with a try of their own in the corner.
The two teams were evenly matched, Windsor was looking threatening at times, but Marlborough’s defensive line was strengthening. Fly half – Mac Lewis was starting to influence the game, although he did have a brief spell off the pitch after he clashed heads with a Windsor player. The wound was quickly dressed and then his opponent made his way around the pitch to see how Mac was, a very descent, sporting gesture.
Just before the half-time whistle blew, Avisvorosi Tuisake (Tee) got hold of the ball and ran, swatting Windsor defenders aside, finally 5m from the line, the youngster was brought down, but who should come up in support, but Solomone Aniseko (Seko). After some nifty phases he was over the line and Marlborough had a converted try thanks to Jimmy Adams.
Half-Time score: Windsor 5 – Marlborough 12
Marlborough started the second half strongly and after 55 minutes, Mesake Kini scored his second try of the day, finishing well in the corner following some good phases of play and with an excellent run by Ben Caravou out on the wing.
Windsor tried to dictate the game, but during an attacking phase, they managed to lose the ball which was quickly scooped up by Jonasa Tabua (Tabs). Windsor pursued hard, their winger ate up the ground between him and Tabs, almost catching him but a quick-thinking Tabs changed his running angle and held on to score a try, no conversion.
Both teams were again equal in their determination to be the dominant force, on sixty five minutes, Windsor scored a superb try of their own. A brilliant across field kick from their fly half to their number 14. Marlborough tackled hard but he offloaded, and a try was scored.
Marlborough stepped up a gear, they had found their form after the last few weeks in the doldrums. The conditions were not conducive for much success from the kicking tee, for either team. Injured 1st XV captain, Ben Fulton could see the prize for the boys, and he encouraged them vocally from the side-lines.
On seventy minutes, Solomone Aniseko (Seko) scored his second try of the game, but Windsor struck back on the last play of the game with a try of their own. The whistle blew, and Marlborough were back to winning ways, it has been a while.
Final Score: Windsor 15 – Marlborough 27
Man of the match went 18-year-old “Avisvorosi Tuisake (Tee) is proving something of a revelation in his two starts for Marlborough” explained Team Manager, Dave Pittams. Fellow second row stalwart, Tom Longshaw stepped up, and showed his legitimacy of being in the 1st XV.
Dave also commented on winger “Josh Nalevea, playing his first game of senior rugby. He was solid but has some nimble dancing feet for his size “watch out Strictly, there’s competition on the rugby pitch. Also, congratulations to 19-year-old Lorima Havili who came on, in the last twenty minutes and did not let himself down.
Full back, Jimmy Adams kicked out of hand and counter attacked very well and of course the front row were superb, we wouldn’t expect anything less. Ash, Meki. Seko and Bradley were awesome.
Another youngster who stepped up to the mark was Edi Moku, who was scrum half, standing in for the unavailable regular, Jake William’s. He had a very strong game and did not look out of place on the field.
In one way, Marlborough’s luck had improved by getting the win, but on the other hand, the injury count is going in the wrong direction. Acting Captain, Ollie Spanswick had injured his wrist which will keep him side-lined for a few weeks. He has been a superb stand in for Ben as well as being a revelation on the pitch. Holding the captaincy is turning into a bit of a curse, hopefully the next person to hold this role will do so unscathed.
Marlborough is now in eighth in the Tribute South West 1 East league. Next Saturday, the 1st XV are home to Banbury who are second in the league. This will be a stiff test for the team but hopefully their newly found form will not desert them. The 2nd XV are also at home to Frome II.
Water supply restored for customers in the West Kennet Valley
