Round-up of the grassroots rugby action – Saturday 11th April.
Walcot will be looking to bounce back from their defeat by Frome when they face more derby action on Saturday 18th April – against Corsham here at Lacock Road | Photo © Richard Briggs
Walcot’s derby humbling by Frome on Saturday 11th April has effectively handed the Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South title to Sherborne.
Although the Dorset All Blacks were likely to end up with the silverware this month, Walcot’s 53-10 home defeat means only a miracle can stop it happening.
While the Black & Whites were losing to Frome at Albert Field, Sherb crushed hosts Swindon 75-22 to go 10 points clear at the top of the table.
And with only two rounds of matches to go, the team from Gainsborough Park have a points difference that is 460 better than Walcot’s.
But Sherborne will be deserved champions, having won 18 and lost only two of their 20 league matches so far.
Among their results are two massive wins over the Lansdown club – 68-15 at Albert Field in March and 59-12 on their own turf in November.
A Walcot spokesman said of the encounter with Frome: “It was with a strange, subdued atmosphere that we took to the field.
“A bright and breezy Albert Field should have heralded a fast and open game but wayward passes, missed tackles, dropped balls and skewed kicks were apparent – from both sides – in a game more akin to Level 10 standard.
“It didn’t help that we had so many changes forced upon us that made simple communication such an issue, resulting in a final capitulation around the 78-minute mark when Frome scored four tries.
“Individually there was much to laud. A return to the front row for long-time injury returnee Tom Hulbert gave much stability to the scrum.
“Back-rowers Jack Newman, Harry Williams and Ed Harris played their hearts out, as did Ollie Ellis and Pacey Skyrme in the engine room. Sam Firth and Ieuan Watkins combined well in the front row as well.
“Jonah Edwards, switching from scrum-half to fly-half for the day, strove to get the team moving forward but found out just how difficult it is playing out of position and having to deal with slow and ponderous ball.”
Frome took the lead with a converted try but Walcot replied with a score from a move that began in their own 22. Gabe Moore broke through and released skipper Harris for the touchdown.
However, a series of mistakes by the hosts enabled Frome to add another converted try plus a penalty for a 17-5 advantage at the interval.
The Walcot spokesman added: “The only positives of a deplorable second half was the blooding of three colts, Ben Powell and Sam Powell both having a baptism of fire in their relative positions and winger Israel Miles scoring a debut try.
“Frome were worthy winners and showed why they are the most-improved team in the league.”
Newly crowned Counties 2 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts North champions Combe Down have romped to yet another league win, TJ Rosevear grabbing four tries as they thrashed hosts Sutton Benger 46-19 on 11th April.
Sutton started brightly, applying sustained pressure deep in the Black & Ambers’ territory through direct and physical carries.
However, Combe repelled the early assaults and soon opened the scoring through Rosebear’s boot.
The momentum was now with the visitors. Rosevear pounced on an intercept to race in for the first try of the afternoon, converting his own score to extend the lead to 10-0.
Rosevear added his second try with a well-executed strike move that he finished in the corner, and captain Bill Fairman touched down from a strong attacking passage to stretch the advantage to 20-0.
Sutton replied before the break with a well-worked score in the corner. They added a second try early in the second half, closing the gap to 20-12.
Both teams then traded converted tries, Elis Jones crossing for Combe Down and the Wiltshire club responding.
But the Black & Ambers soon reasserted control and scored three more tries in the closing stages. Rosevear completed his hat-trick and then grabbed a fourth try before Ollie Tinworth powered over from close range. Two of the late tries were converted.
Jacob Gill was named Combe’s man of the match.
Depleted Combe Down 2nd XV were thrashed 59-0 when they visited their Salisbury counterparts on 11th April in Counties 3 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts Central.
Jimmy Rees, Combe’s head coach, said: “With injuries and player unavailability hitting hard, it was a real challenge to field two sides.
“Huge credit must go to our skippers for their tireless efforts in making it happen.
“For the 1st XV, it was great to see players stepping up, taking their opportunities and delivering a strong performance to secure another five points.
“For the 2nd XV, it was a tough day on the pitch – but one we’re incredibly proud of as a club.
“Travelling with a depleted squad and putting in a full shift, knowing it would be a difficult game, takes real character.
“The goal was simple – fulfil the fixture and avoid conceding points through a forfeit.
“The result may not live long in the memory. But the spirit, commitment and determination shown by the seconds certainly will.
“Every game matters to us and this was shown by the lads on Saturday. It might not mean much in the league table but it means a lot to us as a club. The lads have truly bought into what we’re building here.”
Avon had little time to recover after they relinquished their grip on the Davis Access Bath & District Combination Vase, losing at St Bernadette’s Old Boys in Counties 2 Tribute Ale Somerset on 11th April.
The side from Hicks Field won the Vase last season but were beaten 24-22 by Melksham in the quarter-finals on Wednesday 8th April.
And they were unable to bounce back against St Bernadette’s, as a below-strength Avon outfit missing 11 regulars slumped to a 48-19 reverse.
The opening half was pretty even although Avon offered two interceptions from which the Saints scored a pair of converted tries.
But the guests stayed in touch and scored two well-taken tries, one majored, to make the score 14-12.
Second row Ed Higgins achieved several firsts – he made his 1st XV debut at the age of 46, scored Avon’s opening try with an excellent line off a short pass and collected the man-of-the-match award for an all-action performance.
Matt Thresher added the travellers’ second try, this after a Will Bartholomew burst and a miss pass in the backs created an inviting overlap.
Rob Fitch slotted a conversion. But another converted try by St Bernadette’s handed them a 21-12 lead at half-time.
There was no scoring during the first 15 minutes of the second half, although the Saints created numerous promising field positions and found gaps that exploited a sometimes-disjointed defence.
Eventually Avon’s resistance crumbled and they conceded another try, this from a short penalty.
That score filled the home side with confidence and they began to play on the front foot, moving the ball wide with freedom.
Avon were forced into desperate defence. But as their injuries mounted, the pressure took its toll and St Bernadette’s ran in another four tries to put the result beyond doubt.
The Bath team kept battling and Zak Harwood crashed over for their third try, Fitch adding the extras.
Local results for Saturday 11th April:
Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South: Walcot 10 Frome 53.
Counties 2 Tribute Ale Somerset: Hornets 2nd XV 24 Oldfield Old Boys 17, St Bernadette’s Old Boys 48 Avon 19.
Counties 2 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts North: Sutton Benger 19 Combe Down 46.
Counties 3 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts Central: Avonvale 97 Melksham 3rd XV 5, Bath Saracens 31 Trowbridge 3rd XV 27, Salisbury 2nd XV 59 Combe Down 2nd XV 0.
Counties 3 Tribute Ale Somerset North: Winscombe 2nd XV 10 Old Sulians 72.
Counties 4 Tribute Ale Somerset North: Frome 3rd XV 12 Oldfield Old Boys 2nd XV 43, Yatton 2nd XV walkover v Walcot 2nd XV.
Local fixtures for Saturday 18th April:
Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South: Corsham v Walcot.
Counties 2 Tribute Ale Somerset: Avon v Keynsham 2nd XV.
Counties 2 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts North: Combe Down v Royal Wootton Bassett 3rd XV.
Counties 4 Tribute Ale Somerset North: Cheddar Valley v Oldfield Old Boys 2nd XV.
