Welcome to the ‘Big League’ – Marlborough Rugby perform well against high class opposition

Tunbridge Wells 36 – 21 Marlborough

Marlborough began their league campaign in Region 1 South Central on Saturday (September 2), the first time the team has ever been in this high a league (level 5). On the coach, the boys and a few Marlborough supporters made the long journey down to Tunbridge Wells RFC. The M25 was its usual lovely self, exacerbated by increased traffic caused by the train strikes.

The coach left a dreary, dull Marlborough and arrived in a sunny Tunbridge Wells — at least summer has arrived somewhere in the country!

The boys soon got themselves changed, sorted with any treatment they needed, and were quickly out to inspect the pitch, stretching and warming up, getting their heads in the right place for what was about to commence. 3:00 pm soon arrived, the referee blew his whistle, and it was game on.

Marlborough got off to a good start applying early pressure, which resulted in a crossfield kick from fly-half James Farrell that was superbly received in the corner and touched down by new signing full back Niall Pollinger after four minutes, which was duly converted by Will Grant. (0-7)

The home team improved their game and scored a converted try after ten minutes, which was aided in part by a Marlborough error, which they attempted to swiftly fix with a scrambling defence, but Tunbridge Wells had their set phases in place and were away. (7-7)

The next try again came from the home side, a previously rare occurrence for Marlborough; they were turned over in the scrum, resulting in Tunbridge Wells scoring another converted try.

 Half-Time: Tunbridge Wells 14 – Marlborough 7.

Marlborough’s second-half start was possibly not the best, and after ten minutes Marlborough gave away a penalty (17-7). Tunbridge Wells then when onto to score an unconverted try in the 54th minute (22-7). Tunbridge had displayed some swift dancing feet and deft hands, leaving Marlborough bodies on the pitch outstretched through missed tackles until there were no players left to defend.

To their credit, Marlborough did fight back; the boys regrouped, and the scrum was tweaked and was more than holding its own. In the 61st minute, Solomone Aniseko (Seko) crashed over the line, which was again kindly converted by Will Grant. (22-14)

Shortly after, Tunbridge kicked a penalty, but almost from the restart, full back Niall Pollinger intercepted the ball and ran in a 75-metre try, which was again converted by the maestro, Will Grant. Unfortunately, this fantastic feat by Niall ended with him having to come off the pitch injured.

The score was now very close, 22-21, and Marlborough were still very much in the fight right up until the 72nd minute, when Tunbridge scored (27-21), and again in the dying minutes when the home sides hooker grabbed the ball and charged off at pace down the pitch to the roar of the spectators. Sadly, the clock ran against Marlborough, and there was no way they could come back.

Final Score: Tunbridge Wells 36 – Marlborough 21.

This was very much a school day for Marlborough; the players were unsure what it was going to be like playing in this league. This can only really be achieved through game time, so maybe a few more school days are to be expected. Tunbridge Wells was physically fit and strong, with quick feet and hands. The boys did not disgrace themselves; there are a lot of positives to take away. Interestingly, all the away teams lost in this league on Saturday, and currently Marlborough lies in tenth place in the league table.

Tunbridge Wells nominated scrum half Will Grant as Marlborough’s “player of the match” whose kicking was on point, as usual. A mention also must go out to the team’s new signing, Niall Pollinger, who, even though he was playing out of position, managed to get two tries on the scoreboard. Then there was Adam Neale’s work rate, which was awesome, as well as James Farrell’s decision-making and on-field kicking.

Next week the boys have their first home game of the season against Brighton (kick-off 3:00 pm) which again will be another first. The visitors will be buoyant after their win against Bracknell on Saturday. So, with a few tweaks here and there, the boys finding their dancing feet, and hopefully no yellow cards, the Marlborough faithful have a lot to look forward to. Also, for added enjoyment, Marlborough second XV will be playing a friendly against Brighton second XV, kick off at 2:00 pm.