Walcot secured runners-up spot in Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South when they beat neighbours Corsham on Saturday 18th April.
Walcot on the attack during their derby win at Corsham in Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South | Photo © Jon Taylor
The 41-28 derby win at Lacock Road means the men from Lansdown are six points clear of third-placed Frome with one round of matches to go.
The Black & Whites opened the scoring with a try after only two minutes.
After they advanced to the home 22, some aggressive tackling forced a desperate clearance kick from which full-back Alex Barnsley smacked the first of several 50:22s to put the away team in the driving seat. The subsequent line-out was pinpoint – and from a flowing three-quarter move, Ben McMullen went over in the corner.
Sam Firth was yellow-carded for a high tackle and play ebbed and flowed until Barnsley produced another 50:22 from which Gabe Moore dotted down out wide.
Mark McAlonan goes over for Walcot at Corsham on Saturday 18th April but the try was disallowed because the referee was unsighted | Photo © Jon Taylor
Play went with the home team for the next five minutes and they bagged a well-organised converted try from a line-out.
Within a minute of the restart, Mark McAlonan went on a long, winding run from his own 22 before touching down next to the posts. Cam Hamer converted and Walcot led 17-7.
Corsham scored a converted try early in the second half but it did not take long for the guests to respond in kind, Harry Williams going over.
Play by both sides became more fluid and the hosts scored another converted try to reduce Walcot’s advantage to 24-21.
However, a superb kick by Barnsley enabled the travellers to gain field position and Jonah Edwards created space for Hamer to slice through the Corsham defence for a try that was converted.
Walcot look for a way through against Corsham during the Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South clash at Lacock Road | Photo © Jon Taylor
The Wiltshire team upped their game but came up against a resolute Walcot defence.
And when Ieuan Watkins scored a great try after Edwards created space for him, the Black & Whites were 36-21 ahead.
However, a Walcot cross-field kick was picked off by a Corsham player who ran the length of the pitch to score their fourth try. The conversion reduced the visitors’ lead to 36-28.
The final Walcot try was the most polished of the afternoon, Barnsley the scorer after superb interplay by the whole team.
Counties 2 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts North champions Combe Down completed their home programme by beating visitors Royal Wootton Bassett 3rd XV 10-5 on 18th April.
Jimmy Rees, the Black & Ambers’ head coach, said: “A tough test on Saturday for the 1st XV, as we overcame a strong Royal Wootton Bassett side.
“It wasn’t pretty at times but the lads dug deep and showed real character to get the job done.
“That result means we finish the season unbeaten at home – something we’re incredibly proud of.
“It’s been built on hard work, resilience and a real togetherness throughout the squad.
“We head into the final weekend with one last push. The 1st XV travel to Amesbury, while the 2nd XV host [Counties 3 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts Central] title contenders Frome 2nd XV. Two big challenges to round things off.
“It’s been an amazing season so far, and a huge thank you to everyone who’s supported us home and away. It genuinely makes a difference.
“One more Saturday to go. Let’s finish strong.”
Avon’s final home game of the Counties 2 Tribute Ale Somerset season ended in a 46-28 win over Keynsham 2nd XV on 18th April.
Keynsham opened the scoring as they exploited a missed tackle for Will Brookes to touch down near the posts. He also added the first of his four conversions in an impeccable kicking display.
Avon were their own worst enemies as every time they breached the visitors’ 22, mistakes or penalties allowed the opposition to clear downfield with the advantage of the swirling wind.
But then a powerful burst from Zak Harwood saw him pop the ball to winger Jack Moore to notch the hosts’ first try.
Shortly afterwards, Will Bartholomew produced a stunning 40-metre break before feeding Iain Parris to touch down in the corner. Rob Fitch converted and Avon led 12-7.
When the home side failed to deal cleanly with the restart, Keynsham took immediate advantage with their second converted try.
But Avon bounced back to take a 17-14 half-time lead, Parris sidestepping his opponent to add his second try.
With the elements now in their favour, Avon started to enjoy more territory and possession. After they forced Keynsham to concede successive penalties from several forward drives, the ball was moved to the wing for Moore to bag his second try.
Then first-phase line-out ball from Ben May allowed Fitch to delay his pass for Matt Thresher to cut a great line from full-back to score unopposed under the posts.
But Keynsham showed their attacking prowess to add their third converted try before launching another counter-attack towards the Avon line.
Good tackling kept them at bay before man-of-the-match Bartholomew turned over possession to set off on another mazy run towards halfway.
The attack was continued by Kiddie Sheikh who sprinted along the touchline and managed a looped pass inside where the supporting Tai Harwood sidestepped to complete a spectacular length-of-the-field try.
The visitors hit back with their fourth converted try.
However, the Avon pack were now increasingly dominant, illustrated by a 30-metre line-out drive and threatening incursions from Ian Burnell and Stu Dilloway to suck in the Keynsham defence.
This created the platform for Fitch to execute a wrap-around move before arcing through to touch down in his farewell game after more than 200 1st XV matches.
There was time for Avon to add a fifth try, Moore completing his hat-trick from a Sheikh chip ahead. Fitch drop-goaled the conversion from the touchline to take his points-tally for the season past 100.
Local results for Saturday 18th April:
Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South: Corsham 28 Walcot 41.
Counties 2 Tribute Ale Somerset: Avon 46 Keynsham 2nd XV 28.
Counties 2 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts North: Combe Down 10 Royal Wootton Bassett 3rd XV 5.
Counties 4 Tribute Ale Somerset North: Cheddar Valley 19 Oldfield Old Boys 2nd XV 30.
Local fixtures for Saturday 25th April:
Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South: Walcot v Marlborough 2nd XV.
Counties 2 Tribute Ale Somerset: Chew Valley 2nd XV v Avon, Oldfield Old Boys v Imperial.
Counties 2 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts North: Amesbury v Combe Down.
Counties 3 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts Central: Combe Down 2nd XV v Frome 2nd XV, North Dorset 2nd XV v Avonvale.
Counties 3 Tribute Ale Somerset North: Old Sulians v Yatton.
Counties 4 Tribute Ale Somerset North: Imperial 2nd XV v Oldfield Old Boys 2nd XV, Midsomer Norton 3rd XV v Walcot 2nd XV.
Local fixture for Sunday 26th April:
Women’s NC 1 South West (East): North Bristol 2nd XV v Bath United.
