Pewsey vale 25-20 calne (07/01/23)

The first game back following a long Christmas break saw Pewsey host Calne RFC.

Pewsey started the game the brighter of the two teams with some big carries and slick passing. With a lineout in the Calne 22m the forwards drove a maul close to the line and ,following some good pick-and-go work, were able to get the first try of the game through Flanker Keiron James. Pewsey’s pack stamped their authority on the game in the first 15 minutes with strong carrying and some solid lineout work. The second score of the game came from No.8 Phil Vallis following some good scrummaging, sadly both tries were unconverted leaving the score at 10-0. Calne began to grow into the game from this point and made inroads into the Vale half with a period of possession before their No.8 spotted a gap in the defence to race through. Good scramble defence saw him stopped just short of the line, but following an infringement at the subsequent breakdown Fly Half Sam Flippance was sent to the sin bin.

Pewsey were able to keep Calne out regaining possession off a Calne scrum and kicking deep into their half. Good counter rucking saw Pewsey win a penalty to further ease the pressure. A good period of possession in the Calne 22m enabled Pewsey to see out a decent portion of the sin bin clock and when a penalty was reversed for ill-discipline it gave Pewsey the chance to add more points to the board. Taking over the kicking duties with S.Flippance in the bin Centre Tom Regan stepped up to slot the kick in tricky conditions, 13-0.

With time still to run on the sin bin Calne were able to make the extra man count, following a series of penalties in the red zone, a quick tap and go saw Calne bundle over for their first try of the afternoon, the extras were added leaving the score 13-7. Pewsey rallied well and with the contest back to 15 v 15 they were able to reassert some of their early dominance. A line break from S.Flippance and good support running from James and P.Vallis saw Pewsey’s No.8 get his second try of the game with minutes left in the half. Regan again showed composure from the tee, 20-7. Sadly Pewsey made a mess of the re-start allowing Calne to hack a loose ball through and score a try before the end of the half, 20-12 heading into the break.

The second half began in similar fashion to the first, with Pewsey’s forwards dominating giving the backs a platform to attack. A great line by Flanker Dan Martin cut through the opposition defence. Support running from Centre Nathan Glanville and S.Flippance enabled the attack to continue, slick passing saw the ball back in D.Martin’s hands to finish what he started with Vale’s 4th try of the game. This time the extra points weren’t added, 25-12.

Calne rallied well and had the majority of the possession for the remainder of the contest, with Pewsey really stepping up in defence to make Calne earn every metre. A kick to the corner gave Calne a lineout deep in the Vale 22m. Some tight phases from the Calne pack enabled them to bundle over for their second try of the game, the conversion was missed narrowing the gap to 25-17. Calne were able to points on the board again quickly, this time when a penalty was conceded at the breakdown by Pewsey and Calne’s Centre stepped up to kick the 3pts, 25-20 with 10 minutes to go.

The defence stood strong for the remaining 10 minutes, not giving an inch, before James was able to get a turnover penalty at the breakdown with the clock in the red. S.Flippance was able to kick the ball into touch and seal the bonus point win for the Vale.

A great first game back after Christmas, next week (14th January) we are at home to Swindon II.

Team:

1 Damper, 2 Tilley, 3 Padfield, 4 J.Vallis, 5 Marshall, 6 James, 7 D.Martin, 8 P.Vallis, 9 T.Flippance, 10 S.Flippance, 11 E.Martin, 12 Regan, 13 Glanville, 14 Bloomfield, 15 Bowerman.

16 Murray, 17 Talty, 18 Hill

Scorers:

Tries – P.Vallis x2, D.Martin, James

Conv. - Regan

Pen - Regan

Ranger of the Match: Dan Martin