News from the grassroots rugby scene – Saturday 17th January and Sunday 18th January.
Avon lost for the first time in the league since early November when they fell to Hornets 2nd XV here at The Nest on Saturday 17th January | Photo © Richard Briggs
Avon’s winning run in the league came to an end with a 26-20 defeat by Weston-super-Mare club Hornets’ 2nd XV on Saturday 17th January.
The Bathford-based side had won their four previous matches in Counties 2 Tribute Ale Somerset, their last setback coming at Burnham-on-Sea on Saturday 8th November.
Unfortunately for Avon, the artificial pitch at The Nest took its toll on them, with full-back Matt Thresher and number 8 Dan Cousineau suffering ankle injuries, prop Liam Ridley going off with shoulder damage and several other players sustaining burns and grazes.
The guests took an early lead with a Rob Fitch penalty but were then left reeling as Hornets’ open play resulted in three tries, two of which were converted.
The North Somerset team’s chief architects were dangerous full-back Quentin Querl and fly-half Jordan Humphris, the latter’s lengthy kicking continually forcing Avon on the defensive.
Staring down the barrel with a 19-3 deficit at half-time, Avon began to show their true potential.
Stu Dilloway and Rhys van den Handel were instrumental up front, and Zak Harwood and Thresher shone in the backs.
A well-worked try saw Iain Parris touch down in the corner for Avon. Then a powerful line-out drive resulted in Sam Book crashing over for another try.
With Fitch converting both and adding another penalty, Avon were ahead by a point.
Avon increased the pressure and seemed certain to score the killer touchdown from a line-out maul close to the try line, only to be penalised for bringing down their own controlled driving thrust.
Hornets immediately took advantage as another flowing attack secured their fourth try, leaving Avon with the consolation of a losing bonus point.
Combe Down – the Counties 2 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts North leaders – pipped hosts and neighbours Bradford-on-Avon 15-14, Lewis Taylor Smith starring for the Bath outfit.
But the Down’s 2nd XV were thumped 87-0 when they entertained Warminster in Counties 3 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts Central.
Jimmy Rees, Combe’s head coach, said: “A mixed and tough weekend for the club, with the 1st XV edging a narrow win away at Bradford-on-Avon, while the 2nd XV endured a difficult afternoon against a strong Warminster side.
“Starting with the positives, the 1sts showed real character to grind out a close victory at Bradford.
“It wasn’t pretty at times, but these are often the games that define a season.
“Bradford were physical, organised and never let us settle, but credit to the lads for staying composed under pressure and finding a way to get the result.
“Winning tight games away from home is a big step forward and something good sides must be able to do.
“For the 2nds, it was a tough day against Warminster, who not long ago were competing against our 1st XV.
“They were sharp and clinical throughout. We struggled to gain momentum and found ourselves chasing the game early.
“The scoreline doesn’t reflect the effort put in over the full 80 minutes – and to the lads’ credit, heads never dropped and we never gave up.
“Overall, there are positives to take from the weekend. The 1sts continue to build confidence and resilience, while the 2nds will learn from a challenging fixture and come back stronger.
“A huge thank you to everyone who came out to support both teams on Saturday. It’s very much appreciated and makes a real difference in tough moments.”
Walcot 2nd XV were 29-14 winners at Keynsham 3rd XV in Counties 4 Tribute Ale Somerset North, having led 12-0 at half-time.
Dan Flint and Dean Griffith touched down for the visitors in the opening period.
Keynsham hit back with a converted score shortly after the resumption and then put a lot of pressure on the Walcot line.
The visitors held on and relieved the pressure by scoring again to make it 19-7, only for the home side to respond with another converted try.
Walcot came under more pressure but were awarded a penalty in front of the posts, Jonah Edwards kicking the three points to make the score 22-14.
Once again Keynsham turned up the heat and Walcot suffered two sin-binnings.
However, from the final play of the game, Adam Wilton broke away for the visitors, beat five players and dotted down near the posts, the try converted to complete the scoring.
Walcot’s 1st XV match at home to Devizes in Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South was postponed following the death of Craig Hurcombe, a stalwart of the Wiltshire club.
Bath Ladies raced to a 60-8 victory at Sutton & Epsom in Women’s Championship South 1. Abbie Lamb was the winners’ back of the match and Esme Bird was named their forward of the match.
Molly Daniel reached 100 points for the season for table-topping Bath Ladies United as they swamped Reading Kites 50-3 at Lambridge Training Ground in Women’s NC 1 South West (East) on Sunday 18th January.
Mimi Ecclestone was the Blue, Black & White back of the match – and Vic Bedford was their forward of the match.
Local results for Saturday 17th January:
Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South: Walcot v Devizes – postponed.
Counties 2 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts North: Bradford-on-Avon 14 Combe Down 15.
Counties 2 Tribute Ale Somerset: Hornets 2nd XV 26 Avon 0, Oldfield Old Boys 12 Clevedon 30.
Counties 3 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts Central: Avondale 47 Trowbridge 3rd XV 5, Bath Saracens 0 Frome 2nd XV 79, Combe Down 2nd XV 0 Warminster 87.
Counties 3 Tribute Ale Somerset North: Old Sulians 5 Bristol Harlequins 52.
Counties 4 Tribute Ale Somerset North: Keynsham 3rd XV 14 Walcot 2nd XV 29, Midsomer Norton 3rd XV 27 Oldfield Old Boys 2nd XV 31.
Women’s Championship South 1: Sutton & Epsom 8 Bath 60.
Local result for Sunday 18th January:
Women’s NC 1 South West (East): Bath United 50 Reading Kites 3.
Local fixtures for Saturday 24th January:
Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South: Melksham v Walcot.
Counties 2 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts North: Combe Down v Minety.
Counties 2 Tribute Ale Somerset: Avon v Imperial, Keynsham 2nd XV v Oldfield Old Boys.
Counties 3 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts Central: Avondale v Bath Saracens, Melksham 3rd XV v Combe Down 2nd XV.
Counties 3 Tribute Ale Somerset North: Old Redcliffians 3rd XV v Old Sulians.
Counties 4 Tribute Ale Somerset North: Oldfield Old Boys 2nd XV v Nailsea & Backwell 3rd XV, Walcot 2nd XV v Chew Valley 3rd XV.
Local fixtures for Sunday 25th January:
Women’s Championship South 1: Bath v Richmond.
Women’s NC 1 South West (East): Ellingham & Ringwood v Bath United.
