Old Colfeians 1XV 28 v 18 Tunbridge Wells 1XV
Tunbridge Wells made four changes to the forwards who had struggled with the Thanet pack the week before. Veteran prop Mick Sedgwick started the game, as did loose head Dan Bettice. Rob Harrison was recalled to the back row with Ian McCaul replacing Ian Bartley. Wells started the game with the advantage of a strong wind blowing at their backs, but it was Colfes who got on the scoresheet first when Siti Turagaiviu was adjudged to have deliberately knocked on after five minutes. The 30 metre penalty was successfully dispatched into the wind by the Colfe’s full back who was to have a successful afternoon with his boot. The rejigged Wells scrum was soon under pressure on its own ball, and a strong surge from Colfes resulted in a turnover ball. In the ensuing ruck Wells were guilty of handling the ball on the ground giving Colfes a simple penalty from 25 metres to make the score 6 – 0 after nine minutes. Wells then applied some pressure and were rewarded with a penalty 35 metres out for Colfes not rolling away. This was successfully converted by James Warren to make the score 6 -3 after 11 minutes.
Colfes then upped their game and with the Wells scrum unable to secure its own ball the home side was able to dictate play. After a series of attacks down the short side which Wells did well to defend, the ball was moved wide where a missed tackle allowed Simon Maritz to cross for a try on 17 minutes. The convertion passed wide of the posts, but Wells found themselves 11 -3 down despite having the advantage of the conditions. 10 minutes later the gap had increased by another 3 points after Colfes were awarded a penalty when Wells were penalised at a ruck. Colfes were proving to be the stronger and more energetic side and from a scrum close to the Wells line second row Luke Warderns powered over for a converted try on 37 minutes - 21-3. After 43 minutes the referee finally lost patience with the ball being slowed down on the floor, and Wells Kiwi flanker Dane Hurley was penalised and yellow carded for not rolling away at a ruck. The ensuing penalty was successfully converted to leave Wells trailing 24-3 at the halftime break.
Wells kick off into the wind at the restart failed to travel the required 10 metres and from the ensuing scrum Wells were penalised for going offside and Colfes were 27 – 3 in the lead. On the hour, James Lineham replaced Ian McCaul in the Wells forwards. A combination of better Wells scrummaging and some crucial Colfe injuries allowed the visitors to put together some back moves and on 64 minutes a powerful run by Siti Turagaiviu saw the Fijian cross the line for an unconverted try, 27-8. Three minutes later Wells were on the board again as James Warren converted a penalty for a Colfes offside. With a better supply of ball Wells began to show a bit more invention and on 75 minutes scored the try of the game. Siti made another powerful break from his own 22 and offloaded the ball to Dane Hurley who managed to time his pass to Rob Harrison to perfection. The Number 8 outpaced the Colfe’s cover defence to score under the posts, allowing Warren a simple convertion.
In an ultimately disappointing game, where neither side took full advantage of the conditions, it will be Colfes who take more heart from their performance. Wells will need to improve their discipline (they were marched back 10 metres on 3 occasions for backchatting the referee), and their on field decision making. What will set alarm bells ringing at St. Marks, even after only 5 games of this campaign, is the inability of the pack to produce reliable first phase ball. When they do, as was proved in patches in the second half in this game, their backs can pose difficult questions for any side in the League.
Next Saturday Wells host Old Elthamians at St. Marks kick off 3pm.
SQUAD:James Warren, Simon Beamish, Siti Turagaivui, Stuart Moreton, Ollie Rogers, Jonte van der Meulen, Mark Wilson, Ian McCaul, Robert Harrison, Dane Hurley, James Gwinnett (C), Peter Binham, Mick Sedgwick, Mark Higgins Dan Bettice, Steve Harvey,
TRIES: Robert Harrison, Siti Turagaiviu
CONS:James Warren
PENS: James Warren (x2)
For more pictures of this and other games visit Bruce Elliott's site
HERE
Foots Cray 2XV 19 v 0 Tunbridge Wells 3XV
Tunbridge Wells 3XV were unable to carry on their winning start to the season against a well organised and strong Footscray 2XV.
Wells dug in deep in the first half starting with only 14 men and against the wind and despite being camped in their own 22 for most of the first half defended gallantly to halt the continuous onslaught of the Footscray attack. Unfortunately despite this the first points were conceded by Wells on the stroke of half time to make it 0-5 at the break.
The second half saw a Wells side continue as strong as the first, but finally concede another two converted try's after another half of sustained pressure from their opposition.
Despite the result, credit has to be given to a Wells side that continued to battle hard for the entire game, especially to those who on the day played out of their regular positions.
SQUAD: Gavin Simpson, Dave Skinner, Lewis Russell, Tom Pithouse, Marco Maddalena, Taz Ahmed, Simon, Walton, Lance Close, David Barton, John Skinner, Andrew Kemp, Ajay Rana, Ali McNally, Simon Waymont, Pete McLoughlin
SUBS: Chris Garland, Richard Woodhouse, Mat Wilkie
RED CARD: Tom Pithouse
Tunbridge Wells 4XV 38 v 14 Aylesford Bulls 5XV
Wells 4s got their 1st win of the season on Saturday against 14 man Aylesford. The return of skipper Fran Colangelo and some key vets combined with a few newcomers combined well and Wells dominated the early exchanges with 3 tries going begging as dogged defence kept them out. Eventually Wells broke through Colangelo putting winger Bartlett away in the corner - Mick the boot Mallion adding the conversion.
A few minutes later Scrum Hal Toole added a second as he went over from close range again the conversion was added by mallion. A blood bin raplacement saw Greg Taylor on for Paul Irwin - Taylor in his first game for Wells went over for a try with his first touch of the game. Mallion added the 2 points and Wells led 21 - 0.
Great kicking by Colangelo from fly half kept Aylesford pinned in their half and a further try by Luke Bartlett again converted gave Wells a 28-0 lead.
Aylesford were struggling with injuries and were pretty much down to 13 men with their second row hobbling badly.
Wells used their subs as the hard ground was taking its toll on the bones as well.
Taylor and Shergold on for Irwin and Bartlett. Shergold immediately made an impact going over after some good quick forward ball and fine hands in the backs.
10 mins later Taylor went pover for his second and Wells led 38-0.
The injuries started to tell - Taylor after his initial impact hobbled off, Lance Ball started hobbling with a dead leg and Rusty Rusbridge hobbled off with a pulled hammy to add to the black eye he got the previouse week.
Kevin O Driscoll came on for his first game as a Wells player but the last 20 minutes was back to the wall stuff as Aylesford attacked with venom. It was a loose colangelo pass that led to their first try but good pressure got them a second both converted. Wells held out winning the latter exchanges and kicking to relieve pressure to win 38-14.
Impressive debuts for Joe Nicol the new second row and Greg Turner and a fine first half kicking display from Mallion.
More of the same this week at home to Old Gravendians.
SQUAD: Phil Nelson, Andy Maynard, Simon Parsons, Joe Nicol, Matt Rattcliffe, Paul Irwin, Zak Knight, Dave Godson, Dave Toole, Fran Colangelo (Capt), Luke Bartlett, Rob Rusbridge, Lance Ball, Mick Mallion, Paul Nalder, Greg Taylor, Mark Shergold, Kevin O'Driscoll
TRIES: Dave Toole, Mark Shergold, Greg Taylor (x2), Luke Bartlett (x2)
