Sat 30 Mar 2019, 15:00
WITNEY 36 - 22 WIMBORNE
A lovely sunny afternoon for the last Home game, of the Season, at Hailey Road and Wimborne the visiting team. They are half way up the league table, having had a good season. Witney still third bottom but still in with a mathematical chance of remaining in SW1 East, by winning the last 3 matches with some "bonus points". Before kick off, the Wimborne supporters said their team dont travel well!!!
Wimborne kicked off from the Hailey end and Witney played in Wimborne Half, for the first 3 minutes. A knock on gave Wimborne a scrum on their 22 and from this it was apparent that Witney were going to have a torrid time in the set pieces. As Wimborne took the ball into Witney's Half, an unfortunate offside allowed Wimborne FB, Max Tipping to kick a Penalty Goal. 0 - 3
(6 mins) Witney's scrum on their 5m were forced to give Wimborne a Penalty Line out. The ball went right, 15m, then a ruck and the SH, Roy Maidment, went left and over the Line. 0 - 8
Wimborne were then the very dominant side; their Scrum "stuffing" Witney's in the "tight", often winning Witney's "put-ins" and running hard with good backing up.
(16 mins)Subs Alistair Anderson, Rikki Dore on at Flank and Prop.
(17 mins)In spite of the pressure Witney were getting some ball and Captain and Centre, Matt Clarke, made a brilliant break, from his 10m, dodging and breaking away from tackles, to the 22, left of the posts. A ruck, ball right to FH, Ted Landray who chipped over. The ball bounced in "In goal" and Landray was there to touchdown. He made the Conversion. 7 - 8
(20 mins)Witney SH, Arrun Lambourne caught the re-start, sold an enormous dummy and between the 15m and left touch jinked and dummied past the defenders and put LW, Jack Birks, in the clear, for him to score beneath the Posts. Landray conveting. 14 - 8
(25 mins)Still the most dominant, Wimborne had a 5m scrum. Witney managed to stop "push over" but the ball went along the Backs and after a ruck,Maidment went over for his 2nd Try, Tipping converting. 14 - 15
The score remained as this til Half Time. It being kept at this through last moment mistakes by Wimborne, through "white line fever" and Witney's defence. Half Time
Wimborne were so dominant that not many Witney supporters thought their side would be able to win this Match. Would they be able to snatch anymore scores and would Birthday Boy, Ted Landray, through his pin point kicking keep his side in the game?
Witney re-started and won the ball, attacking down the Right wing. Clarke was tackled high and Landray kicked the Penalty GoaL. 17 - 15
Sub Carl Strutt in to Centre.
(25 mins)Up to this point play was mainly between the 22s with Wimborne still looking the stronger side. They were awarded a number of Penalty Lineouts, tried Mauls and their scrum also won Penalties. But when it looked as though they would score again mistakes were made and Witney's tackling was also keeping them out. Then Witney had a Penalty Lineout 10m out which they mauled then released for Ruck, Pick & Drives. It looked as though Wimborne were going to hold them out but the ball was released and a long pass to the right to Centre, Alex Foggett, gave him space to avoid tackles and cross the whitewash. Landray converting. 24 - 15
(29 mins)Wimborne had another Penalty Lineout in Witney's 22, but Witney stole the ball and ran it out of danger. Running the ball like this was gaining Witney good ground.
(36 mins)A Wimborne long kick was gathered by FB Tom Gaffney who ran the ball back, arcing Right, somehow avoiding tackles and passing to Landray on the Wimborne 10m. Landray's deceptive speed outpaced Wimborne and he touched down in the corner. The Witney crowd was now ecstatic. 29 - 15
(40 mins)Wimborne's attempt at a pushover,deemed "held up". Second attempt sucsessful, No8, Dec Foley, the scorer. Tipping converting. 29 - 22
(9mins Extra) A Wimborne knock forward bounced into 2nd Row, Scott Mortimer's hands (and he is fast). He got from Halfway inside the 22 and passed to Hooker, Dave Curry who scored and Landray kicked the converson from the Touchline. 36 - 22
No Side
A great win and a bonus point. (Watch this space!!). A heroic display for the large crowd of Witney supporters. A Wimborne supporter said it was worth the journey to see Landray's kicking. It was masterful. Although the Forwards were stuffed in the tight, their play in the loose was very agressive. What a pity there are only two more games.
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