Round-up of the grassroots rugby action – Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd March.
A Walcot player hands off a Sherborne opponent during the top-of-the-table match at Albert Field on Saturday 21st March | Photo © Jon Taylor
Walcot suffered bitter disappointment in their massive clash with Sherborne on Saturday 21st March.
The sides went into the Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South match at Albert Field locked on 72 points at the top of the table, but the Dorset All Blacks holding pole position thanks to a vastly superior points difference.
However, Sherb romped to a 68-15 victory in Lansdown to open up a five-point lead – effectively six points, due to that overwhelming points difference – over second-placed Walcot with four rounds of matches to go.
Of course the Black & Whites are by no means out of contention for the title – but they will be hoping third-placed Devizes can do them a big favour on Saturday 28th March by winning at Gainsborough Park. That match is by far the toughest, on paper at least, of Sherborne’s remaining fixtures.
A Walcot man looks to shake off a tackle during the Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South clash with Sherborne | Photo © Jon Taylor
Walcot started the brighter of the two teams in the big battle. Captain Ed Harris gathered the ball from the kick-off and made huge inroads into the heart of the travellers’ defence, encouraging his team-mates to follow.
Scrum-half Jonah Edwards kicked the resulting won ruck ball into space in the Sherb 22, from which a series of phases and a pre-set move from a scrum saw fly-half Alex Barnsley score a well-taken try that was converted by Cameron Hamer.
Soon a penalty from Edwards – awarded for the Dorset All Blacks not retreating from a quick tap-and-go – extended the advantage to 10 points.
However, Sherborne stung Walcot almost immediately with a free-flowing try that was converted.
Play became fast and furious as the sides fought for dominance. Scrums and line-outs were won equally.
From a goal-line clearance by the guests, Walcot’s Gabe Moore set off on a wide run that ended with him touching down for their final points of the day.
Walcot have possession against Sherborne at Albert Field on Saturday 21st March in Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South | Photo © Jon Taylor
Sherb turned the screw and scored two more converted tries to lead 21-15 at half-time.
And the guests controlled the second period, running the ball at every opportunity and splitting open the home defence time after time.
A Walcot spokesman said: “It was beautiful to watch as Sherborne’s influential number 8 ushered and inspired his boys to rack up the points at regular intervals.
“It was Sherborne’s day today as they continued their push for promotion.
“They’re obviously well equipped to do well next season and we can only learn from this salutary experience as we seek to climb to a higher league ourselves.
“Referee Angus Macintyre, from the Oxford Society of Referees, had a very good game, along with assessor and old friend Martin Bath and took no nonsense as he yellowed a player from each side to maintain good order and ensure an enjoyable day for all.”
Sherborne completed an emphatic double over Walcot this season, as they were 59-12 winners when the teams met at Gainsborough Park in November.
Avon suffered something of a shock defeat on 21st March, going down 46-24 to Castle Cary at Brook House Field in Counties 2 Tribute Ale Somerset.
The result lifted the South Somerset outfit off the bottom of the table.
Avon took an early lead through a Rob Fitch penalty.
In the set pieces, matters were relatively even. The visitors had a slight edge in the scrum – and although they won the majority of their own line-out ball, they found the Cary line-out faultless.
Within 10 minutes of taking the lead, Avon conceded two unconverted tries, Joe Pullen and Jack Potter crossing.
However, the men from Hicks Field levelled the game after creating a large overlap, Matt Thresher going over in the left corner for a try that was converted.
Avon then conceded a third try, Freddie James dotting down for a score majored by Liam Atkins.
And right at the end of the first half came the key moment.
The guests were piling pressure on the Red & Blacks’ try-line. But a stray pass was intercepted on the five-metre line by Jake Massey, who took the ball 45 metres before passing to Atkins to surge forward for a try. Atkins’ conversion made the interval score 24-10.
Avon did not recover from this blow, and in the first 30 minutes of the second period conceded four more tries. James, John Clay, Tom Westropp and Atkins were the scorers, Atkins booting another conversion.
The Bath outfit felt they were unfortunate not to score during this spell. But they finally got back on the board when, with 10 minutes remaining, Rhys van den Handel ran in from 25 metres.
Shortly afterwards, an excellent break by Liam Ridley enabled Thresher go over for his second try.
Avon director of rugby Clive Book said: “Overall, Castle Cary were well worth the win and played some outstanding rugby in the driest conditions seen for a while on a very wide pitch.
“Our stop-start season goes on hold again now with the fixture planned for Saturday 28th March cancelled as Rebels have withdrawn from the league, followed by the Easter break, so our next league game is away to St Bernadette’s Old Boys on Saturday 11th April.”
Combe Down were handed a walkover by scheduled opponents Pewsey Vale on 21st March so earned five more points in their quest for the Counties 2 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts North championship.
Walcot 2nd XV recorded a 39-19 home win over Bristol-based Imperial on 21st March in Counties 4 Tribute Ale Somerset North.
A spokesman for the Black & Whites said: “Veteran Nick Dagger guided his young wards wonderfully from fly-half, producing a couple of tries for Israel Miles.
“Dan Jelly was safe and secure under the high ball.
“Rupert Pain, full of running, chose some superb lines and colt-veteran Sam Powell made sure everyone left the pitch with huge smiles on their faces.”
Bath Ladies completed their Women’s Championship South 1 fixtures with a 19-14 loss away to Hampshire side Trojans on Sunday 22nd March.
Trish Brown was the visitors’ forward of the match – and Jess Doyle was their star back.
The Blue, Black & White finished in seventh place in the 10-team division, having won six and drawn one of their 18 matches.
Bath United’s forward-of-the-match award in their Women’s NC 1 South West (East) home victory over Melksham on 22nd March was shared between Sam Castley-MacDonald and Daisy Pearce.
The hosts romped to a 68-0 success – Iola Carter their back of the match – and are three points clear at the top of the table with three games to play.
North Bristol 2nd XV, Drybrook and Ellingham & Ringwood also have a chance of the championship.
Local results for Saturday 21st March:
Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South: Walcot 15 Sherborne 68.
Counties 2 Tribute Ale Somerset: Minehead Barbarians 50 Oldfield Old Boys 5, Castle Cary 46 Avon 24.
Counties 2 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts North: Combe Down walkover v Pewsey Vale.
Counties 3 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts Central: Combe Down 2nd XV 19 Bath Saracens 50, Warminster walkover v Avonvale.
Counties 3 Tribute Ale Somerset North: Old Sulians 38 Nailsea & Backwell 2nd XV 24.
Counties 4 Tribute Ale Somerset North: Oldfield Old Boys 2nd XV 37 Cheddar Valley 48, Walcot 2nd XV 39 Imperial 2nd XV 19.
Local results for Sunday 22nd March:
Women’s Championship South 1: Trojans 19 Bath 14.
Women’s NC 1 South West (East): Bath United 68 Melksham 0.
Local fixtures for Saturday 28th March:
Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South: Swindon v Walcot.
Counties 2 Tribute Ale Somerset: Oldfield Old Boys v Castle Cary.
Counties 2 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts North: Combe Down v Fairford.
Counties 4 Tribute Ale Somerset North: Chew Valley 3rd XV v Oldfield Old Boys 2nd XV.
Local fixture for Sunday 29th March:
Women’s NC 1 South West (East): Chinnor Kites v Bath United.
