Marlborough 19 – 32 Sidmouth
The winter solstice: the shortest day of the year. What a day to play a game of rugby on The Common!
A tough but highly entertaining match played in very windy conditions with plenty of tries scored, by both sides. But on balance, not enough were scored by the home team, Marlborough. Sidmouth, a very strong Devon side, proved to be just that bit too strong.
By midday, the wintry and rainy weather was doing its best to make it almost impossible to see the ball being tossed about in the wind, let alone the edges of the pitch! But the brave souls of Marlborough and Sidmouth went through their warmup drills nonetheless. Whilst the Committee members settled in for a fine Christmas lunch in the warmth of the Clubhouse!
It was a special pre-match lunch, as we had the company of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and two Town Councillors. They had very kindly accepted our invitation to join us at the Club for the opening shot of what we hope will be a grand success – a memorial wall of engraved bricks on the side of the Clubhouse facing the pitches to commemorate 90 years of rugby being played where we play it now! Our Club’s history is rich and deep and we are delighted to have formally started this project with the Council with us. We also had a number of former players and other guests at the table with us for a splendid lunch. Before stepping out into the wild Wiltshire weather…!
From the kickoff it was clear that Sidmouth meant business. Their slick handling and strong running by backs and forwards alike, allied with having the slope and the wind in their favour, saw them peg Marlborough down in our own half. On the back foot, the men of Marlborough struggled to find their shape and a coherent defence. Sidmouth’s efforts were handsomely rewarded by two tries in the first twenty minutes and another (by their former Dragons and Chiefs man, Philip Dollman) just before halftime. Marlborough unable to score at all.
Half-Time: Marlborough 0 – 24 Sidmouth
A stiff halftime talk from our Director of Rugby, Elisi Vunipola, the team captain, Chris Diamond, and the coaching staff, including Sitiveni Sivivatu, saw Marlborough perk up a bit. In an additional good omen, the sun made a brief appearance and it all looked a little brighter…
Marlborough came out a different team. Pressing hard, showing some really good and free-flowing rugby, the start of the second period was all Black and Gold. Our storming blindside flanker, Wate Kuli, got our first points on the board after just five minutes! Jay Matakaiongo couldn’t land the conversion from out wide, but it looked like a comeback was on the cards. Spirits were up – on the pitch and along the touchlines, where a decent crowd was gathered, in spite of the weather!
But then we allowed Sidmouth to do that thing we must never allow our opponents to do – score a try against the run of play, uphill, and in the second half! Archie Cruze’s try, although unconverted, gave Sidmouth the upper hand – physically and mentally. Marlborough now had a very significant amount of work to do.
But everything is possible and the boys came back fighting. A super try under the posts for captain Diamond was converted by our scrum half and rising star, Matakaiongo. And it really was game on!
Within ten minutes, and after some much better and well-coordinated play, the flying Akariva Seruvatu was diving over the line (and sliding through the mud!) for an excellent try, converted by Jay. Although holding our collective breath, all of us on the touchline started to feel a fightback in the air, with a full ten minutes on the clock…
The time passes deceptively quickly in these circumstances… and the men of Marlborough failed to grasp the sense of urgency that was needed to. We didn’t need to do things in a rush, but we did need to get on with it! More haste, less speed.
The hands on the clock were fairly whizzing round and there was simply not enough energetic play left in the boys. One more score would have brought a couple of bonus points, but it wasn’t to be and – to make it worse – a penalty gifted Sidmouth the last points of the match. A deserved win for the men from Devon. And another deception for us.
Final Score: Marlborough 19 – 32Sidmouth
Players, officials, and spectators all sought the warmth of the Clubhouse fairly rapidly after the final whistle! After a quality match tea, a rich raffle, and the obligatory banter and awards, both sides were able to reflect on what had been a great game – fast-paced, entertaining, fair-play – everything we want from such a fixture… except that we lost!
The Sidmouth folk departed on their coach into the longest night and the Marlborough boys – resplendent in their Christmas jumpers and Santa suits – got stuck into the players’ party – a great time was had by all!
The 1st XV is back in action on 4 January 2025 – away to Royal Wootton Bassett. It’s the shortest journey we’ll make all season, so please do join us on the touchline there – the travelling fans make all the difference. On that same Saturday, our 2nd XV (the Nomads) host Swindon College Old Boys on The Common. And then, on Sunday, we will welcome all our Minis & Juniors and their fabulous parents back to The Common for the start of a new year together, rammed with rugby!
The Chairman, the Club Committee, the coaches and players of all ages, wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous new year. See you in 2025!