Marlborough 33 – 38 Trowbridge
Plenty of points scored – 33, but more conceded – 38. Disappointing result against Trowbridge on the Common for Marlborough RFC first XV.
Last Saturday (23 October 2021), Marlborough were home to Trowbridge who were lying fourth in the Tribute South West 1 division, after having a week off. Autumn had arrived on the Common, the weather was cloudy with a slight cool breeze.
Within two minutes from the kickoff, Trowbridge scored a try, which was unconverted. This woke Marlborough up a bit, and they quickly came back with a try of their own, thanks to scrum half, Jake Williams who then went on to convert his own try. The score line was 7 points to 5.
A further 10 minutes into the first half and the visitors scored again, running through Marlborough’s back line. This time they were able to convert the try (7 -12).
Marlborough started to get themselves into a good attacking position but at a cost, they started to force the game, which then led to a number of unforced errors. Marlborough’s old nemesis, the penalty count was starting to rise.
Trowbridge’s fly-half made Marlborough suffer with his excellent out of hand kicking game. Trowbridge went onto score another try, but Marlborough came back with one of their own, in the corner courtesy of winger, Kane Marafono which sadly was unconverted. Trowbridge were not about to submit, they came back again, within two minutes they had notched up another converted try.
Marlborough found some form and showed the visitors what they can actually do when they are on point. Trowbridge conceded a penalty and five minutes later, after some fantastic pieces of play, Jimmy Adams beat Trowbridge’s last two defenders, to score a superb try which Aaron James converted.
Marlborough’s heads were up, and there was a spring in their step, but Trowbridge were not going to let their opposition enjoy this period of euphoria for long, they quickly put the home side back in their place, by kicking a penalty which had resulted from a home side defensive error, just before the half-time whistle.
Half – Time: Marlborough 26 – Trowbridge 28
The second half started well for Marlborough with Jake Williams scoring his second try of the game, cleverly duping the opposition to think he was being indecisive as to who to throw the ball to. Trowbridge were sucked in, Jake saw the opening, put his pedal to the metal and scooted past the slightly bewildered opposition, brilliant! The try was kindly converted by Aaron, the score line was now 36 – 28.
The Marlborough spectators were starting to get quietly hopeful, had Marlborough finally found their form again, could this be the turning point? Sadly, it was not to be, but that’s not to say there wasn’t any entertaining rugby being played, but Trowbridge were just very good at punishing Marlborough whenever they made any errors in defence. This resulted in Trowbridge scoring a further two unconverted tries.
It was hard for the players to accept there had been another loss, but they accept certain things could have been done a little better, but there were a number of the regular 1st XV players who are out due to injury. There was some good news though, Marlborough II (Marlborough Nomads) had a fantastic win at Swindon (17 – 41) which was done with six less of their regular players who had stepped up to play for the 1st XV. The 1st XV was delighted for boys, they too have suffered from injuries and have lost their first few games. The Marlborough II backs were on fire and were happy to let Swindon know this, although Swindon were stronger in the scrums.
1st XV Team Manager, Dave Pittams was pleased to point out “19-year-old, Avisvorosi Tuiasake, played his first ever game of senior rugby today, in the second row. This is following on from 18-year-old, Arthur Fitzgibbon’s outstanding performances at the start of the season”.
The coaches were also delighted to see “Kane Marafono, returned to the team, after a lengthy injury lay off, played his first game of this season and scoring on his return.”
Jake Williams scoring his first try Jimmy Adams on his way to scoring his try
Ollie Spanswick is becoming more comfortable in his role and is becoming a very good captain, in the absence of injured skipper, Ben Fulton. Ollie and James (Marshall) are consistently awesome in the back row. Again, the front row was pretty cool, (Lemeki Moala and Aniseko Solomone), both in great form and Jake Williams, consistently very good at scrum half. The building blocks are in place, they just need to cement themselves in a little better. The boys are looking forward to the return of some of their injured teammates. Fingers crossed that the rugby God’s start to look down a little kindlier on Marlborough, and no more long-term injuries are experienced. Hopefully, maybe then, Marlborough can find their form again and start showing just what they can do on the pitch.
Next week, the 1st XV are away to Windsor who are currently one position above Marlborough (ninth) in the league. The 2nd XV are home to Westbury, hopefully their winning streak will continue and that some it has rubbed off on the firsts.
Tarte in a Box opens in Marlborough
