Pewsey vale 20-37 marlborough ii (29/10/22)

After a long spell of away games Pewsey were finally back at home facing off against undefeated local rivals Marlborough RFC.

Pewsey started the opening minutes of the game quickly and following a quick tap and go from the halfway line were able to win a penalty just inside the Marlborough 22m. Fly Half Sam Flippance stepped up and knocked over the kick putting Pewsey 3-0 inside a couple of minutes. Marlborough responded positively and following a strong maul off a lineout were able to score in the corner and take the lead, 3-5. The hectic start to the game continued when a line-break from No.8 Phil Vallis put Vale on the attack in the opposition 22m. Prop Chris Hill smashed through opposition defenders, dropping just short of the line, before Centre Josh Terrar saw a try from the subsequent pick and go disallowed due to a double movement from Hill reaching for the line.

Pewsey’s early dominance continued as they began to gain the upper hand at scrum time. Some nice link up play from Vale’s backs saw Outside Centre Rob Boyd-Wallis released out wide to race into the Marlborough 22m before being tackled. The pressure was kept on following a scrum to Pewsey as Vallis picked up from the base and was tackled just short of the line. Pewsey worked the blindside to good effect and quick hands from Pete Baird allowed Winger Will Bowerman to dot down in the corner. The conversion was missed leaving the score at 8-5 to Pewsey.

Marlborough came back again playing some nice rugby in their backline and making inroads in the Vale defence. After receiving a penalty Marlborough kicked for touch resulting in a lineout near the Pewsey try line. Marlborough got their maul set quickly and drove the Vale pack backwards seeing a penalty given against the home team. This time Marlborough opted for a scrum 5m from the try line and after a couple of resets the Marlborough No.8 was able to pick and go over the line, 8-10 to the visitors. Flanker Dean Peach was deemed to have infringed at the scrum and, following multiple penalties being given against Pewsey in the build up to the try, was sent to the bin for 10 minutes.

Despite being a man down for the next 10 minutes Pewsey more than held their own. Following a quick tap and go from Vallis, Boyd-Wallis was again sent racing away into the opposition half before being brought down. A penalty was awarded to Pewsey inside the Marlborough 22m with Vale opting for the scrum. With Pewsey now back to their full complement in the pack they were able to exert some serious pressure at the scrum. Repeat offences from the Marlborough front row saw their Prop receive a yellow card. Pewsey continued to pressurize the scrum and work phases with the try line in sight. Marlborough were fortunate not to concede a penalty try with the amount of penalties given away at the 5m scrums. Sadly as the clock neared half-time Pewsey weren’t able to make all the pressure count and following a turnover deep in the Marlborough 22m the visitors could clear their lines. Pewsey Fullback Pete Baird fielded the clearance but could not find touch with his returning kick. A scything run from the Marlborough Winger put them inside the Vale 22m with seconds remaining in the half. Some quick hands meant Marlborough dealt a try-scoring blow to finish the half, score at the break 8-15.

Marlborough game out the gate quickly in the second half and scored an early try, again the conversion was missed 8-20. Pewsey came fighting back quickly and within minutes of conceding had scored a try of their won. Strong carries from Vale’s forwards saw a penalty awarded on the Marlborough 5m line. The penalty was taken quickly by S.Flippance who was then able to crash over for Vale’s second try, the extras were missed, 13-20. The game became slightly disjointed at this stage with a lot of scrummaging taking place. Marlborough spurned two good opportunities with backs in space out wide. One because of a forward pass and another due to a knock on.

Vale were forced into a couple of changes due to injury but this did nothing to stop the momentum of the team. After a chip over the top was caught by Marlborough’s Winger, and a mark called, the clearing kick did not reach touch. Replacement Winger Toni Bloomfield ran the ball back and looked to be darting into the corner for a try before a high tackle on the line bundled him into touch. A penalty try was given as without the high tackle coming in a try would surely have been scored. This left the scores at 20-20 with 25 minutes left to play.

Sadly heading into the final 15 minutes of the game Marlborough were able to take advantage of some tiring legs in the Vale defensive line. 3 unconverted tries were added, each following quick hands through the back line to space out wide for well worked scores from the visitors. This was a hard fought contest from both sides and saw some excellent rugby played throughout the game.

The Vale don’t have a game next weekend (5th November) as we get a much needed break weekend before travelling to Devizes II on the 12th November.

Team:

1 Hill, 2 James, 3 Tilley, 4 Draper, 5 Paddick, 6 Peach, 7 Martin, 8 P.Vallis, 9 T.Flippance, 10 S.Flippance, 11 Bowerman, 12 Terrar, 13 Boyd-Wallis, 14 Hughes, 15 Baird.

16 Damper, 17 Talty, 18 Bloomfield, 19 Deadman, 20 Haynes

Scorers:

Tries – Bowerman, S.Flippance, Penalty Try

Pen - S.Flippance

Ranger of the Match: Phil Vallis