Chichester 1XV 30 v 7 Tunbridge Wells 1XV
Wells travelled to Chichester looking to seek a double in this fixture having taken the home game in London 1 South back in November 13-3. For the first time in many weeks the conditions were firm underfoot and warmer and to stand a chance Wells needed to produce more ball than the week before against Wimbledon.
A lively start from the off saw Ollie Rogers just wide with a snap drop goal almost from the kick off. Pete Binham skippering the side had one chance to take line out ball before he was injured in the tackled by Chichester no 7 Polhill and paid no farther part in the match leaving Wells to rearrange around Paul Miles and without any alternatives in the line out. Miles had joined the game only 30 seconds before he was shown a yellow card for a team warning he had not been on the pitch to hear and Wells were really struggling as they went down 5-0 after 12 minutes.
Chichester fly half Adams made it 8-0 on 14 minutes whilst Wells were a man down still and finished the first quarter off as Miles returned with a try close to the posts which was not converted by Adams to make the score 13-0. after 21 minutes.
With Miles back on the pitch and the Wells back row of Hurley, Daly and Doherty gaining more turnover ball despite Polhill’s repeated handling on the floor not being dealt with Wells launched some good counter attacking moves with James Warren at fullback having an outstanding period of play. The second 20 minutes of the game remained scoreless and Wells provided far more stability in the scrimmage with Nigel Follows starting at tight head and Lewis Russell remaining in his more favoured loose head position.
Half time saw no addition to the score at 13-0 to the home side but Wells ambition to be more dominant thwarted by disruption in the line out and last ditch Chichester defence.
The second half saw the Wells backs and back row with more ball secured in the loose and Wells made inroads up the middle through Sitiveni Turagaiviu and Dane Hurley and up the flanks from a countering James Warren. 12 minutes of the second half had gone when Wells made another incursion up the left touchline only for the loose ball at the breakdown to be kicked unerringly into the hands of the Chichester right wing Seviua, who went in from halfway under the posts after a period of Wells attack. 20-0.
Chichester then entered into a phase of play which tested how many penalties they could incur before earning their own yellow card and the answer was 14 before the home loose head prop was despatched.
Wells exacted the punishment on 60 minutes as David Coombes picked up loose ball on halfway and made the break to set Sitiveni Turagaiviu away for his 10th league try of the season under the posts for James Warren to convert 20-7.
Try as Wells might they couldn’t quite get over the home line despite some thundering runs from Lewis Russell and Tom Pithouse and Mark Wilson failing to reach the try line by inches.
By the 70th minute with both Russell and debutant Jo Wood- Lowe being taken out head high the Wells push for more points was dented by a rolling maul which they could not stop on the right on 71 minutes and despite holding out and launching several further attacks on the flank in the 86th minute Chichester were awarded a try in the corner despite home fans and the Wells players being convinced the ball had been held up in goal.
This despite the final score line was a very spirited and sometimes effective game from Wells and augurs much better for their chances of avoiding relegation than their game the week before.
Wells now turn their attention to Chobham KO 3 00PM at St Marks following the clubs annual sponsors lunch supported by Virgin Atlantic.
SQUAD: Lewis Russell, Mark Higgins, Nigel Follows, Richard Sparks, Paul Miles, Peter Binham, Tom Pithouse, Nick Doherty, Dane Hurley, Steve Daly, Mark Wilson, Ollie Rogers, Steve Jones, David Coombes, Sitiveni Turagaiviu, Jo Wood-Lowe, James Warren.
TRY: Sitiveni Turagaiviu
CON: James Warren
PEN: N/A
Beckenham 3XV 22 v 15 Tunbridge Wells 2XV
Report To Follow
SQUAD: Alan Maxted, Andy Maynard, Simon Parsons, Graham Withers, Ben Burgess, Will Vernon, Will Dedman, Stuart Coe, Tristan Reames, Mark Goff, , , , Iwan Shotton
TRY: TBA
CON: TBA
PEN: TBA
Aylesford Bulls 4XV 12 v 22 Tunbridge Wells 3XV
Report To Follow
TRY: Ahmed, Woodhouse, Harvey & Sparkhall
CON: David Barton
PEN: N/A
Tunbridge Wells 4XV 56 v 12 Sevenoaks 5XV
Wells saw the return of talismatic skipper Fran Colangelo this week to play this friendly at St Marks. A beautifully sunny day and the pitch in good condition meant the omens were good. From the start Wells played with control, aggression and skill. The pack winning good clean ball for the backs to run amock. It took Wells time to settle but after 15 minutes the deadlock was broken as Pablo Nalder latched onto the end of Ollie Crees pass to score. Soon after Ged Brannan added another followed by his brother. None of the kicks were converted by Paul Wheeler. Wells led 15-0.
It was not all one way traffic – Wells defended well as the strong Oaks 8 caused a few problems. From a back row move their winger known as the pocket rocket found space and sped over to score a try converted. 15 – 7 but Wells did not panic. Back came the forwards rampaging upfield, Fermour, McCabe and Irwin to the fore. Brannan added a second try and the half was finished with a forwards try Maddalena crashing over from short range. 25-12.
A few changes in the second half saw the return of Jonny Spencer, Phil Nelson and Andy Speer enter the fray. Wells stuck to their task and Colangelos back line pounded the Oaks defence. Ollie Crees ran 2 tries in from the right wing showing great pace and maturity. Mallion went over as well and he kicked over the first points of the day. Wells were 42-7 up when the move of the day occurred. Colangelo with ball in hand took a penalty in front of the Oaks posts. Spotting no defence on his winger Mallion, he put over a cross kick with suck perfection Jonny Wilkinson would have been proud. Mallion accepted the offering caught the ball and touched down. Precision and finesse personified as the crowd and players clapped this sublime piece of skill!! Speer crashed over for a try before Oaks cam back again – their 8 touching down after 10 minutes of good pressure.
Wells didn’t want to finish on that. The forwards marched them upfield and an inch perfect Leicester move with Colangelo and Speer split open the defence, Mallion took the final pass gratefully and as the kick went over so did the final whistle. 56-12. Great performance, great day, and a great game played in a good spirit.
