WRFC - 1st XV match report and Nuns Road Sketchbook 21/04/08
Rugby Union - London League Division Three South West
WINCHESTER PAY DEARLY FOR EARLY LAPSES
Report by Brian Postlethwaite
OLD REIGATIAN 15 WINCHESTER 13
A surprisingly watchable encounter at Reigate last Saturday finally brought the curtain down on Winchester's season. And, nightmare start notwithstanding, they know this was a game they could and should have won. To concede three tries inside the first fifteen minutes is not exactly encouraging in a match the visitors needed to win to ensure a fifth place finish in the league; so perhaps defeat and sixth place with an even won-lost record was poetic justice. Some supporters had barely left the bar, before ORs posted a score by Ed Bartlett, who bundled his way over from point blank range Full back, Mervyn Manus, then added a second as he strolled through a non-existent Winchester defence. But again the conversion was missed.
Indeed, a trail of missed place kicks should have cost the hosts, given that Winchester had begun to look a unit, albeit only after giving away another try to wing man, Andre Bothe. He and Manus looked lively throughout as ORs put some good moves together. But once the visitors began winning enough ball to play with, they had the momentum with the wind at their backs in the second half. Some aggressive forward play gave the first indication that Winchester had settled to the task as a brace of penalties by Andy Ashwin proved beyond all doubt that there really were two sides on the rain soaked field. The referee seemed to agree as he sent one player from each side to the sin bin for airing their differences in public. But now the Winchester pack had discovered the way to go, taking the battle to their opponents.
The Tom-Toms were sounding loud and clear. Tom Pervin was magnificently bossing the lineout and hooker, Tom Bolland, was eating up so much ground that a lesser player might have got indigestion. It was appropriate then that Bolland broke from the pack for a trademark score that had the visiting supporters roaring with delight. Ashwin converted and amazingly Winchester had pulled to within two by doing little more than get the basics right, attitude being complemented by solid achievement. Surely the second half would bring more of the same?
Well, the attitude was okay at least, but not a point in sight for either side. ORs made several good breaks and perhaps shaded the territorial battle until the last few minutes.
But Winchester know they should have made more of good possession. Perhaps they pressed the panic button too soon as they began running the ball from far too deep in their own half. They were in charge and they let their underlings off the hook. Three times ORs missed penalty kicks from more or less straight in front of the posts in the second half, the clearest indication of all to Winchester that, as long as they remained tight, the game was there for the taking. What might have been! In the closing stages the visitors threw the kitchen sink and all a home's white goods at the opposition, but ORs too remained tight as an engrossing game reached its climax. The end of season entertainment in the clubhouse afterwards seemed to confirm the atmosphere
in which the game had been played. Sin-binnings had been forgotten and a truce called. Had promotion or relegation hung on the result of the game, the entertainment on the field would no doubt have been different, though not necessarily more gripping. As things stood, two sides had given their all. 15-15 might have been a fair result but Winchester had their chances and can have few complaints. Next season will come soon enough.
Team: A Welch, Woods, B Welch, Rogers, Arthur (Farrington 67), Brown, Ashwin, Rice (Hancock 67), Bolland, Moreton, Manning, Daniels, Pervin, Kirkaldy (Waterman 60), Knight.
...End of Report...
NUNS ROAD SKETCHBOOK with Brian Postlethwaite
It's over! The great cricket writer, R.C. Robertson-Glasgow, one said: What do they know of cricket that only cricket know? The same can certainly be said of Winchester rugby as another season is consigned to history and the dinner season begins... best this, best that. have some more wine, old boy! Well, the season just gone has underlined one thing, not that it needed underlining - winning DOES matter. Okay, nothing rested on last weekend's result at Reigate. But I couldn't help feeling somewhat sad as I slid into the back seat of the car for the journey home. My team had lost. Perhaps my feelings are odd. It's only a game, isn't it? Perhaps I only know about cricket after all.
The 1st XV was the only senior team on duty at the weekend. Others still have letters to be dotted and crossed. But the guessing game has been going on for a while already and will no doubt not be sorted until the AGM. To some extent there will be a changing of the guard in the corridors of power hereabouts. Wrong expression, but to call committee members facilitators, rather than managers, though correct is so ugly. The managers are
doing a good job and there are nowhere near fifty-seven of them. Who can possibly replace Dai Henley as president? Someone will. Life goes on. And it will be good to listen to a new joke at club dinners during the speeches.
Whisper it quietly, but our esteemed membership secretary - one John Hamilton Prosser MBE, ADK - returns fron a ninety-six day cruise this week. He has missed a huge chunk of the season, but has keenly kept in touch. His sly but kindly Scottish wit is about to be unleashed all over again. Woe betide those who haven't paid their subs to the Club. But John has had so much so called wit broken upon him for what is perceived as parsimony
that a little leg pulling on his part is understandable. So, the end of the road is upon us.
All being well, these nonsense jottings will return next season. Enjoy your summer!
...End of Sketchbook...
Regards and all good wishes
Brian Postlethwaite
WRFC