Chew Valley 22 – 5 Marlborough
The 1st XV hit the road again, this time for a first visit at this level to Chew Valley RFC, not far from Bristol. Whilst the day dawned grey and murky, the team spirit was high, especially on the back of the emphatic and much-needed win over Launceston the weekend before. The trip to Chew was uneventful – one of the shorter ones we make in this league. On arrival, however, it was clear that the condition of the pitch would be a determining factor. Mud-bath puts it nicely! And the drizzle kept on drizzling…
After a decent warm-up and with all the pre-match preparations over, the two teams took to the field. Marlborough led again by the indomitable Chris Diamond, with Will Grant at fly-half as his vice-captain. On the touchline our Director of Rugby, Elisi Vunipola, was flanked by coaches Sitiveni, Knoxy, and John; they were joined by the ever-present Suzie Outen, our sports physio, as well as Dave Pittams and Steve Robins, the Team Managers. A fair number of faithful Marlborough supporters were also pitch-side, having made the journey and heroically braving the weather!
Marlborough started badly. From the kick-off, a number of first-up tackles were missed and Chew found themselves camped inside the Marlborough 22 having barely made an effort. Desperate defence by Marlborough ensued and endured for several minutes of back-and-forth action, with neither side gaining an advantage. However, in the muddy confusion and with the pressure being applied by a big set of Chew forwards, we conceded a penalty on 7 minutes. Chew’s statuesque Number 8 (wearing the ‘3’ shirt!) stepped up and slotted it. Chew Valley 3-0 Marlborough.
Both teams sensed that it was going to be a close-quarter battle, and that handling and discipline at the breakdown would be key. Perhaps better used to the conditions of their home ground, Chew played a better game, using their forwards to effect and managing to hold on to the slippery ball. Our boys, perhaps smarting from the 3-0 deficit, were less consistent in their play, which was punctuated by handling errors and a degree of less-than-perfect on-field decision-making – by forwards and backs. But neither side had the upper hand – it was attritional stuff…
Another penalty against us on 15 minutes, and three points duly taken by the Chew No8, Daniel Brooker – a player of real quality. On the half-hour, we were penalised again, and the scoreboard read Chew Valley 9-0 Marlborough. In the interim, however, we had been mounting serious pressure on Chew and had come tantalisingly close to their try-line. We had also been afforded a similar number of penalties, but Grant, our kicker on the day, just couldn’t find his mark and so our points ‘went begging’.
Half-Time: Chew Valley 9 – 5 Marlborough
The second half started better for Marlborough as we looked to increase the tempo and ramp up our offensive spirit. We knew that we needed to bring our game in a little tighter to offset the Somme-like conditions, especially in the middle of the pitch. But to their credit the Chew Valley defence was very much on point. Marlborough started to enjoy some scrum dominance, which led to us scoring the first try of the game! Constant pressure, good support by all the forwards, improved on-field communication, and (in the end) brute strength saw prop, Halani Aulika, drive in under the posts. Grant – who was having an off day – couldn’t convert, but we had made our mark and the score, now more reflective of the action, read Chew Valley 9-5 Marlborough.
In quick succession, Chew had two men sent to the bin on yellow cards. Now it was 13 men vs 15 men. But we failed to capitalise on our numerical superiority and what must surely have been a psychological advantage. We were penalised again (Chew Valley 12-5 Marlborough) and then again. At the second one, Chew seized the opportunity of our players reorganising with a ‘tap & go’ and scored a try of their own, albeit unconverted by the big man. Chew Valley 17-5 Marlborough.
Try as they might, the men of Marlborough just could not get a foothold – figuratively and literally! A touch of desperation crept in – we needed a score in order to secure a losing bonus point at least. But it was Chew who stole the glory, scoring again on the last play of the match. Unconverted.
Final Score: Chew Valley 22 – 5 Marlborough
This was an extremely difficult afternoon for Marlborough. On the back of our victory last weekend, we should have come to Chew with a more focussed mindset and a determination to win again. Given the conditions, we should have adapted our game to take account of the playing surface and the determined opposition. Nonetheless, it was a good game and proof that Chew and Marlborough were two teams that had come out to play rugby on a cold and miserable afternoon. Taking nothing away from Chew – they played a superior game and deserved the ‘W’ on the day. But we are a better side than this. We need to put it behind us and move on.
As every week, a number of the players deserve to be singled out: The Marlborough 1st XV player of the match was Manatu Leleifi, our scrum-half. Our forwards of note – who did their utmost in the swampy conditions – include Chris Diamond, Halani Aulika, Jason Uipi, and Aporosa Masicola. And the noteworthy backs – as heroic as the supporters in the cold – include Will Grant (just an off day), Paula Mahe, and Akariva Seruvatu.
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2nd XV Away to Sutton Benger
All rugby teams have a nemesis. For the Nomads, it’s Sutton Benger RFC!
Thus, it is always with some trepidation that the boys make the short trip to Benger, especially since the ‘men in pink’ have come the closest to upsetting the Nomads’ undefeated season so far… Damp and cold on the pitch. Who would have the fire in the belly necessary to carry the day?
Marlborough started with pace and applied the early pressure, but Benger were not looking like giving in anytime soon. For fifteen minutes the game was evenly matched until a penalty by Sutton Benger offered our fly-half, Roko Waicolayawa, the opportunity to take three points from the tee, which he duly did. We then lost a man to the bin for ten minutes and so the forwards had to work a little harder to secure the ball and allow the backs some room to manoeuvre. When they did get the ball, it was a chance to exploit in depth. A kick over, a tricky catch in the air, a lovely off-load, and then a try for centre, Wate Kuli, whose support running was spot on.
Waicolayawa added the extras. But Benger came back fighting and kept the pressure on. Guilty of too many penalties, Marlborough were also guilty of not getting back the 10 metres and reorganising; this allowed the Benger scrum-half to ‘tap & go’ over the line untouched for a try, which was converted. At the break it was Sutton Benger 7-10 Marlborough.
Half-Time: Sutton Benger 17 – 10 Marlborough
The second half started well for Marlborough, and a smart set of phases led to a good try for flanker, Samuela Tokatokavanua, with that man Waicolayawa converting again accurately. Sutton Benger 7-17 Marlborough. But another penalty kicked by Benger brought the score to 10-17. Skipper, Jamie Pittams, gripped everyone and brought some focus. The reward was another well-worked try for the forwards – touched down by second row, Adam Neal. Waicolayawa added the extras to make it Sutton Benger 10-24 Marlborough.
The last thirty minutes of this game were scoreless. It was unnecessarily scrappy and adversarial on the pitch and both sides can thank the referee for doing his best to keep things under control. In the end, however, it was the Nomads that emerged victorious and undefeated. These fabulous Nomads stay top of the Counties 2 table having now scored more than 550 points in their fourteen games so far this season. However, they should now reflect on a match against an arch-rival that was won and won well, but could quite easily have gone the other way…
Final Score: Sutton Benger 10 – 24 Marlborough
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WALKING RUGBY
A special mention this week to our Walking Rugby team who took on Chew Valley in a curtain-raiser ahead of the 1st XV match on Saturday afternoon. Picking up from a successful 2024 season, our tremendous walkers opened their account for 2025 with a comprehensive 6 – 2 win! The match was played in a friendly spirit, with the team working together – passing and moving to open gaps in the Chew Valley defence. A well-deserved victory, which helped take the edge off the 1st XV’s loss.
The walking rugby team trains every Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. and we are keen to welcome new players. Anyone interested can contact the Club for more information! Walking rugby is proven to be good for you! It is a vital (and hugely successful!) part of our rugby community at Marlborough.
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YOUTH SECTION
Our Minis spent Sunday morning at Royal Wootton Bassett RFC and had a fabulous time with our close neighbours. In a friendly fixture, our high-performing Under 16s beat a touring Chiswick side 67-0 on The Common – more than making up for their defeat by Supermarine last Sunday. In another friendly, our Under 15s travelled to Andover and, in a hard-fought contest, came away victorious 22-34. Well done to all!
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OUTLOOK
Next Saturday, the 1st XV has a ‘day off’, but the Nomads travel to mid-table Calne RFC for a 2.30 p.m. kick-off. At the Club, we are pleased to welcome the UK Civil Service Sports Club to The Common. The CSSC’s Women’s RFC national squad will train at Marlborough – this will be a great opportunity for our girls to see what senior women’s rugby is all about. The men’s 6 Nations action is back on the BIG screen as well, with Wales vs Ireland at 2.25 p.m. and then England vs Scotland for the Calcutta Cup at 4.45 p.m. On Sunday, we will have all the usual Minis & Juniors action, and then Italy vs France at 3 p.m. if you fancy an afternoon at the best little rugby club in Wiltshire?! See you there!
1100 twinkling lights for Valentine’s Day
