Round-up of the weekend’s grassroots rugby – Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th February.
Walcot on the attack during their destruction of bottom side Chippenham 2nd XV at Albert Field on Saturday 14th February | Photo © Jon Taylor
Walcot maintained top spot in Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South by dismantling bottom side Chippenham 2nd XV on Saturday 14th February.
The 88-12 victory at Albert Field keeps the Lansdown outfit a point clear of second-placed Sherborne, the Dorset All Blacks securing a home walkover against Marlborough 2nd XV.
Despite the scoreline, Chippenham – who have recorded just one league win this season – showed solidity in the line-out and had a well-drilled scrum.
Straight from the kick-off, Walcot’s Harry Williams bludgeoned his way to the posts to score the opening try.
A Walcot man looks to shrug off a Chippenham 2nd XV tackler during the Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South encounter on Valentine’s Day | Photo © Jon Taylor
And with only 10 minutes on the clock, the hosts had secured the four-try bonus point, Kenzie Rawlings and Adam Wilton (2) also going over.
Three conversions from Cameron Hamer left Walcot 26-0 ahead against the shellshocked Wiltshire outfit.
The points continued to come at regular intervals for the Somerset side, who frequently looked for overlaps or gaps to ensure their wings were given ample opportunity to display their skills.
The pick of the first-half tries was another scored by Rawlings, who swerved, handed off and dived over the line.
Walcot score one of their umpteen tries against Chippenham 2nd XV as they maintain their position at the top of the table | Photo © Jon Taylor
Finn Dewar and Jonah Edwards also touched down before the break, with further conversions from Hamer seeing Walcot change ends with a 45-0 advantage.
The home team were again relentless after the interval, the highlight of the second half being a 45th-minute try. Every Walcot player touched the ball as it moved the length of the field before being downed for five points – but such was the excitement that the hosts are not sure who scored!
Workhorse Mark McAlonan bagged Walcot’s final try but Chippenham managed two touchdowns in the closing stages.
Youngster Sam Powell made his Walcot debut as a replacement in the second half and acquitted himself well.
Next on the calendar for Walcot in the league is the long trip to Bestwall to face Swanage & Wareham on Saturday 28th February.
The Swans are former table-toppers but have fallen away and now lie in fourth spot, 12 points adrift of the summit after 15 rounds of matches.
Avon were left frustrated on 14th February as they experienced yet another weather-related postponement.
This time their scheduled match at Clevedon in Counties 2 Tribute Ale Somerset fell victim to a waterlogged pitch and has been rearranged for Saturday 14th March.
A spokesman for Avon said: “That is now an unprecedented six cancellations already this season.
“Avon are doing all they can to prepare a suitable pitch for Saturday’s home fixture against Imperial [21st February] but remain at the mercy of the elements.
“Some free Saturdays have been created through a sad situation as the Rebels club from Taunton have had to disband.
“It’s always a sad situation when a rugby club folds but this shows the challenges that many clubs are now facing.
“Avon wish them well in their attempts to resurrect next season and look forward to future fixtures.”
Combe Down won for the 10th game running in Counties 2 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts North when they saw off hosts Supermarine 19-0 on 14th February.
The table-topping Down have an eight-point lead, with a match in hand, on nearest challengers Westbury and Sutton Benger.
Fourth-placed Minety, who have played the same number of games as Combe Down, are a further three points back.
The Down will entertain Corsham, from Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South, on Friday 20th February (7.30pm) in the Davis Access Bath & District Combination Vase. Corsham were Vase runners-up last term.
Walcot 2nd XV took only 13 players to Frome for their Counties 4 Tribute Ale Somerset North tussle with the Gypsy Lane outfit’s 3rd XV on 14th February – so the hosts lent them two men to keep things competitive. Nevertheless, Frome emerged 65-14 winners.
Still, Walcot vice-captain Archie Ingall was pleased with the effort made by the visiting players, especially Tom Read, veteran Deano Griffith and stalwarts Harry Bullard and Ben Hadfield.
Bath Ladies recorded a superb home win over a strong Old Albanian Saints outfit in Women’s Championship South 1 on Sunday 15th February.
The fixture against the Hertfordshire team was played at Albert Field, and it resulted in a 26-0 victory for the Blue, Black & White over a side lying in second place in the table.
Bath named Trish Brown their forward of the match and Katie Derrick their back of the match.
Local results for Saturday 14th February:
Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South: Walcot 88 Chippenham 2nd XV 12.
Counties 2 Tribute Ale Somerset: Clevedon v Avon – postponed, Oldfield Old Boys 10 Burnham-on-Sea 53.
Counties 2 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts North: Supermarine 0 Combe Down 19.
Counties 3 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts Central: Bath Saracens 17 Warminster 39, Combe Down 2nd XV 17 North Dorset 2nd XV 22, Salisbury 2nd XV 34 Avonvale 22.
Counties 3 Tribute Ale Somerset North: Old Sulians 7 Gordano 2nd XV 26.
Counties 4 Tribute Ale Somerset North: Frome 3rd XV 65 Walcot 2nd XV 14, Keynsham 3rd XV v Oldfield Old Boys 2nd XV – postponed.
Local result for Sunday 15th February:
Women’s Championship South 1: Bath 26 Old Albanian Saints 0.
Local fixture for Friday 20th February:
Davis Access Bath & District Combination Vase: Combe Down v Corsham.
Local fixtures for Saturday 21st February:
Counties 2 Tribute Ale Somerset: Avon v Imperial, Keynsham 2nd XV v Oldfield Old Boys.
Counties 3 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts Central: Melksham 3rd XV v Combe Down 2nd XV.
Counties 3 Tribute Ale Somerset North: Old Redcliffians 3rd XV v Old Sulians.
Local fixtures for Sunday 22nd February:
Women’s Championship South 1: Exeter University v Bath.
Women’s NC 1 South West (East): Hucclecote v Bath United.
