Pewsey vale 14-19 sutton benger (24/09/22)

Carnival Saturday saw Pewsey Vale RFC return to Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts North action after being promoted as undefeated league champions in the previous campaign.

The visitors were Sutton Benger RFC who we have had several close, physical, games with in the past and this proved to be no different. The Vale began the game on top, playing fast and fluid rugby putting Benger on the back foot from the off. However, 7 minutes in Vale Winger Toni Bloomfield was issued a yellow card for a high hit on the Sutton Benger Fullback. This did little to slow Pewsey down as minutes later, following some strong carries, Flanker Ollie Lavis crashed over to score the opening try of the came in the corner. The conversion added by skipper Tom Flippance to make the score 7-0 after 10 minutes. Pewsey were unfortunate not to score another try soon after. With some strong forwards carries narrowing the opposition defence there was space for Fly-Half Sam Flippance to throw a miss pass out wide, unfortunately it couldn’t be gathered and the try went begging.

Sutton Benger began to grow into the game after this and exerted pressure through their maul at lineout time. A strong drive and several phases put Benger deep inside the 22m, with Pewsey’s defence standing firm, Lavis was able to get to the breakdown first causing Benger to be penalised for holding on. Quick thinking from S.Flippance saw the penalty taken quickly and spread out wide to Centre Josh Terrar who was free to charge down into Benger’s half before being brought down 10m from the line. Pewsey recycled the ball quickly, which allowed Lavis to dart under the posts for his second of the afternoon, again the extras added by T.Flippance to make the score 14-0 with 10 minutes left in the half.

Sadly, Pewsey couldn’t hold the opposition out until half time with Benger’s Scrum half spotting a gap in the defence, next to a ruck, and going under the posts making the score 14-7 to The Vale at the break.

Benger started the second half strongly and dominated the possession forcing Pewsey to go through a lot of defensive work, a theme of the half unfortunately. Ill-discipline began to creep into the Pewsey game with too many penalties giving away field position and after Lavis became the second Vale player sent to the bin, for a late hit on the opposition scrum half, Benger were able to make the extra man count and drove over from a 5m lineout, the conversion being added the score was now 14-14 with 15 minutes remaining.

Sutton Benger were also reduced to 14 men after 69 minutes when one of their replacements was penalised for a tip tackle. Pewsey were unable to take advantage of the playing numbers being even again and saw Benger score a try after some fluid backs play and a lovely offload to put their Centre in under the posts, surprisingly the conversion was missed, so the score sat at 14-19.

The final 10 minutes of the game were uneventful compared with the first 70, perhaps some early-season tired legs were to blame. After receiving a penalty deep inside their own half Vale opted to kick for touch, the kicked dropped short enabling Benger to gather the ball and put it out of play to end the contest. A tough loss to take after starting so strongly but a losing bonus point ensured we did not come away empty handed.

Whilst the result did not go our way on this occasion, being back in this league competing against strong sides is where we want to be. The solid performance in this game gives us plenty to build on going into our next game, away at Chippenham II on the 1st October.

Team:

1 Hill, 2 Damper, 3 Spence, 4 Draper, 5 Marshall, 6 Lucas, 7 Lavis, 8 P.Vallis, 9 T.Flippance, 10 S.Flippance, 11 Deadman, 12 Fox, 13 Terrar, 14 Bloomfield, 15 Bowerman.

16 Padfield, 17 J.Vallis, 18 Kinderman, 19 Tilley, 20 Regan.

Scorers:

Tries – Lavis (2)

Convs – T.Flippance (2)

Ranger of the Match: Ollie Lavis