© 2008 Cricklade RFC
Made by Serif
Injury Hit Cricklade Lose Again
A much improved (from last season) Supermarine, systematically took apart
the visitors in a first half were the makeshift away side were out of their
depth and appeared to be strangers to each other. The home team moved the
ball about with ease, dominated the scrums and rucks and changed ends with a
19 point lead which could so easily have been more had it not been for a
number of unforced handling errors.
Half Time
Supermarine RFC 19 Cricklade RFC 0
At the restart Cricklade chased down their kick, secured possession then
trundled on and on until the home team had to kill the move to avoid a
certain try. After a poor first effort a further infringement gave them a
second opportunity and Captain Lloyd managed to smuggle the ball over. The
kick for the other points was missed. Supermarine swarmed all over the
restart kick receivers and were awarded a scrum for a knock on they appeared
to commit, their power and superior organisation secure good ball, but the
resulting try came from a move that included a forward pass. Despite the
disappointment, the visitors continued to press the previously dominant home
side. Passes were now finding receivers and sticking in hand, incoming
tackles were being broken and the opposition were having to resort to
dubious tactics to stem the flow. Cricklade finally got their just reward
when from another penalty in front of the posts they opted for the quick
tap, attracted the defence into a ruck then recycled the ball out to Rhys
Mills who picked his way through the tackles to casually put the ball down.
Once again the kick slipped wide. Supermarine responded once again and
despite much good work by the visitors they missed a tackle on the right
back and let him in to restore the points difference once again. Moments
later an impressive spin by the right back caused another tackle to fail and
set him free to add more points. Full time was approaching, but Cricklade
would not lie down and kept coming forward. A penalty in the visitors own
half as the last minutes ticked away should not have been a threat to
Supermarine, but quick thinking and action delivered the ball into the hands
of a charging Dave Cox who appeared to step past every tackle attempt as he
ran straight down the centre and touched down under the post. Rhys Mills
slotted this easy kick over and a few seconds later the final whistle
sounded.
Full Time
Supermarine RFC 38 Cricklade RFC 17
A much improved (from last season) Supermarine, systematically took apart
the visitors in a first half were the makeshift away side were out of their
depth and appeared to be strangers to each other. The home team moved the
ball about with ease, dominated the scrums and rucks and changed ends with a
19 point lead which could so easily have been more had it not been for a
number of unforced handling errors.
Half Time
Supermarine RFC 19 Cricklade RFC 0
At the restart Cricklade chased down their kick, secured possession then
trundled on and on until the home team had to kill the move to avoid a
certain try. After a poor first effort a further infringement gave them a
second opportunity and Captain Lloyd managed to smuggle the ball over. The
kick for the other points was missed. Supermarine swarmed all over the
restart kick receivers and were awarded a scrum for a knock on they appeared
to commit, their power and superior organisation secure good ball, but the
resulting try came from a move that included a forward pass. Despite the
disappointment, the visitors continued to press the previously dominant home
side. Passes were now finding receivers and sticking in hand, incoming
tackles were being broken and the opposition were having to resort to
dubious tactics to stem the flow. Cricklade finally got their just reward
when from another penalty in front of the posts they opted for the quick
tap, attracted the defence into a ruck then recycled the ball out to Rhys
Mills who picked his way through the tackles to casually put the ball down.
Once again the kick slipped wide. Supermarine responded once again and
despite much good work by the visitors they missed a tackle on the right
back and let him in to restore the points difference once again. Moments
later an impressive spin by the right back caused another tackle to fail and
set him free to add more points. Full time was approaching, but Cricklade
would not lie down and kept coming forward. A penalty in the visitors own
half as the last minutes ticked away should not have been a threat to
Supermarine, but quick thinking and action delivered the ball into the hands
of a charging Dave Cox who appeared to step past every tackle attempt as he
ran straight down the centre and touched down under the post. Rhys Mills
slotted this easy kick over and a few seconds later the final whistle
sounded.
Full Time
Supermarine RFC 38 Cricklade RFC 17
Cricklade Disappoint
The first half of this match was dominated by a Cricklade side that were far
superior in the scrum, the lineout and at the breakdown. Despite this they
somehow managed to avoid scoring when to do so looked the easier option. The
forwards did their job admirably most of the time, but took the ball back
into the ruck too often and wasted time and chances for the backs to attack
the spaces created when the visitors committed too many personnel. On the
occasion they did bring the backs into the game but the ball was slow and
presented at either ankle level or too high. When the backs had the ball
they often lost it by trying to keep it alive with passes out of the tackle
when the sensible option was go to ground and recycle it. Chippenham played
their part in keeping home points off the board with some aggressive
tackling and rucking, but the home side should have been well clear by the
time the whistle came to end the first half.
Half Time
Cricklade RFC 0 Chippenham RFC 2nds 0
The second half began and continued in much the same vain and after twenty
minutes or so it looked as if a nil all was on the cards, but Chippenhams
half time talk began to take effect and despite the home teams continued
prowess at the set pieces it was the visitors that opened the score with a
touchdown in the left corner after Cricklade indiscipline gave away a string
penalties in front of the posts. Cricklade tried to crank up the momentum
and get back on terms, but the harder they tried the more it went wrong and
the visitors scored another try when an attack broke down and Chippenham
hacked the ball down the left touch line. The ensuing chase should have been
won by Cricklade, but it was a Chippenham hand that applied the down
pressure. Cricklade came close to getting points on the board a number of
times as they stuck to the task, but wrong choices and over confidence kept
it at zero and Chippenhan delivered the knock out with a move that turned
the home side inside out as it pulled them from left to right and back again
without getting a sniff of the ball as it was popped on as the tackles
arrived and was eventually touched down under the bar. Thankfully the final
whistle sounded a short time later.
Full Time
Cricklade RFC 0 Chippenham RFC 2nds 17
The first half of this match was dominated by a Cricklade side that were far
superior in the scrum, the lineout and at the breakdown. Despite this they
somehow managed to avoid scoring when to do so looked the easier option. The
forwards did their job admirably most of the time, but took the ball back
into the ruck too often and wasted time and chances for the backs to attack
the spaces created when the visitors committed too many personnel. On the
occasion they did bring the backs into the game but the ball was slow and
presented at either ankle level or too high. When the backs had the ball
they often lost it by trying to keep it alive with passes out of the tackle
when the sensible option was go to ground and recycle it. Chippenham played
their part in keeping home points off the board with some aggressive
tackling and rucking, but the home side should have been well clear by the
time the whistle came to end the first half.
Half Time
Cricklade RFC 0 Chippenham RFC 2nds 0
The second half began and continued in much the same vain and after twenty
minutes or so it looked as if a nil all was on the cards, but Chippenhams
half time talk began to take effect and despite the home teams continued
prowess at the set pieces it was the visitors that opened the score with a
touchdown in the left corner after Cricklade indiscipline gave away a string
penalties in front of the posts. Cricklade tried to crank up the momentum
and get back on terms, but the harder they tried the more it went wrong and
the visitors scored another try when an attack broke down and Chippenham
hacked the ball down the left touch line. The ensuing chase should have been
won by Cricklade, but it was a Chippenham hand that applied the down
pressure. Cricklade came close to getting points on the board a number of
times as they stuck to the task, but wrong choices and over confidence kept
it at zero and Chippenhan delivered the knock out with a move that turned
the home side inside out as it pulled them from left to right and back again
without getting a sniff of the ball as it was popped on as the tackles
arrived and was eventually touched down under the bar. Thankfully the final
whistle sounded a short time later.
Full Time
Cricklade RFC 0 Chippenham RFC 2nds 17
Cricklade Man of the Match Aidy Hicks
CRICKLADE BOUNCE BACK WITH EXCELLENT WIN
After improved performances in the past 2 games but little reward for
Cricklade the away side were looking to gain their 2nd league win in
travelling to Corsham 2nds who off the back of beating Wootton Bassett
2nds the week previous were also looking to build on that game.
Cricklade however had other ideas starting the game in ferocious style
with an aggressive approach at the breakdowns Cricklade repelled
Corsham's early attacks despite having the wind behind them Cricklade
were pinned back in the first half. However a much improved defensive
display in awful conditions allowed Cricklade to gain in confidence and
towards the end of the 1st half after several forward phases involving
most of the pack Corsham infringed which led to a penalty opportunity.
Danny Lloyd slotted the resulting kick over in the wind. From the
restart Crick had another opprotunity at posts due to Corsham being
offside but this time the kick from Lloyd failed. Cricklade now began to
start to dominate the breakdown and loose again with Dave Cox, Chris Gee
and Kevin Gough running some excellent tight lines. The game was
unfortunately stopped for 10mins in the 1st half after a serious neck
injury to a Corsham forward. Once the game restarted Cricklade again
took the initiative with Dave Cox crashing through Corshams Centres and
with the Full backs desperate attempts to stop him he dived over the
line to score. Lloyds successful conversion was one of the last acts of
the first half and meant Cricklade went in 10-0 up.
Half Time Corsham 2nds 0 Cricklade 10
The 2nd half started with Corsham on the attack and Cricklade again on
the back foot this time Corsham were running tight channels learning
from Cricklades success and managed to force Cricklade into giving away
a penalty far right in Cricklades 22. Interestingly Corsham elected to
kick in the difficult wind and missed the resulting kick. This seem to
galvanise Cricklade again and they soon powered up the pitch, again
excellent forward play saw several phases and in getting into Corshams
22 Cricklade formed a Maul near the left touchline and excellent
technique saw Kevin Gough power over the line to score in the corner.
The Conversion was missed by Lloyd. Corsham again attempted to come back
into the game trying to kick their way to territory but substitute Full
Back Rhys Mills had other ideas cutting some wonderful lines in running
a kick back before passing to Dave Cox who ran over 3 defenders before
scoring again in the corner. The kick was again missed by Lloyd.
Cricklade were now dominant with the forwards showing great skill in
breaking the line and retaining possession. Veteran flanker Steve
Baldwin came on for Cricklade and continued to enhance their dominance
in the loose and one such breakfrom him led to 3-4 pop passes to Sven
Grove and Alistair Webley before the ball found its way to Kevin Gough
who crashed over to score Cricklades fourth try of the game. Rhys Mills
this time stepped up to kick but his kick barely got halfway to the
posts in the difficult wind. This was the last meaningful action of the
game before the referee blew the final whistle to end a fantastic game
for Cricklade in attack but also a much improved defensive display in
stopping Corsham scoring.
Final Score Corsham 2nds 0 Cricklade 25
Man of the Match: Dave Cox
After improved performances in the past 2 games but little reward for
Cricklade the away side were looking to gain their 2nd league win in
travelling to Corsham 2nds who off the back of beating Wootton Bassett
2nds the week previous were also looking to build on that game.
Cricklade however had other ideas starting the game in ferocious style
with an aggressive approach at the breakdowns Cricklade repelled
Corsham's early attacks despite having the wind behind them Cricklade
were pinned back in the first half. However a much improved defensive
display in awful conditions allowed Cricklade to gain in confidence and
towards the end of the 1st half after several forward phases involving
most of the pack Corsham infringed which led to a penalty opportunity.
Danny Lloyd slotted the resulting kick over in the wind. From the
restart Crick had another opprotunity at posts due to Corsham being
offside but this time the kick from Lloyd failed. Cricklade now began to
start to dominate the breakdown and loose again with Dave Cox, Chris Gee
and Kevin Gough running some excellent tight lines. The game was
unfortunately stopped for 10mins in the 1st half after a serious neck
injury to a Corsham forward. Once the game restarted Cricklade again
took the initiative with Dave Cox crashing through Corshams Centres and
with the Full backs desperate attempts to stop him he dived over the
line to score. Lloyds successful conversion was one of the last acts of
the first half and meant Cricklade went in 10-
Half Time Corsham 2nds 0 Cricklade 10
The 2nd half started with Corsham on the attack and Cricklade again on
the back foot this time Corsham were running tight channels learning
from Cricklades success and managed to force Cricklade into giving away
a penalty far right in Cricklades 22. Interestingly Corsham elected to
kick in the difficult wind and missed the resulting kick. This seem to
galvanise Cricklade again and they soon powered up the pitch, again
excellent forward play saw several phases and in getting into Corshams
22 Cricklade formed a Maul near the left touchline and excellent
technique saw Kevin Gough power over the line to score in the corner.
The Conversion was missed by Lloyd. Corsham again attempted to come back
into the game trying to kick their way to territory but substitute Full
Back Rhys Mills had other ideas cutting some wonderful lines in running
a kick back before passing to Dave Cox who ran over 3 defenders before
scoring again in the corner. The kick was again missed by Lloyd.
Cricklade were now dominant with the forwards showing great skill in
breaking the line and retaining possession. Veteran flanker Steve
Baldwin came on for Cricklade and continued to enhance their dominance
in the loose and one such breakfrom him led to 3-
Grove and Alistair Webley before the ball found its way to Kevin Gough
who crashed over to score Cricklades fourth try of the game. Rhys Mills
this time stepped up to kick but his kick barely got halfway to the
posts in the difficult wind. This was the last meaningful action of the
game before the referee blew the final whistle to end a fantastic game
for Cricklade in attack but also a much improved defensive display in
stopping Corsham scoring.
Final Score Corsham 2nds 0 Cricklade 25
Man of the Match: Dave Cox
Cricklade RFC v Wootton Bassett RFC 2nds. D&W Div 1 North, 28/11/09
Cricklade Cruise To Victory
After some indifferent early performances due mainly to a string of injuries
Cricklade appear to be getting their act together after a good away win at
Corsham two weeks ago and superb a performance this weekend against local
rivals Wootton Bassett. The visitors started well enough, but all the early
action came from the home team and it was no surprise when they were awarded
a penalty in front of the posts. Captain Lloyd popped the kick over with no
fuss, but this early success opened the flood gates and Bassett were
inundated for the rest of the half. Tries came from Rhys Mills, Danny Lloyd,
Chris Gee and Lee James (2), but the scorers were only part of this
sparkling performance. The scrum was solid and turned the ball over several
times, lineouts were secure and again several of Bassett's were stolen. At
the break down support arrived quickly, recycled the ball quickly and the
standard of handling was well above this level as everything just stuck.
Good as the performance was it should have been even better given that two
tries were disallowed on dubious grounds. Overrun as they were the visitors
didn't let their heads drop and had several chances to put points of their
own on the board, but Cricklade were having none of it.
Halftime Score
Cricklade RFC 34 Wooton Bassett RFC 2nds 0
The second half began much the same as the first had finished with Mills
getting his second of the day and James (Theo) Theobold getting one. With
the match now well won Cricklade took their foot of the pedal and
unfortunately the game suffered a spell of ill tempered behaviour that
resulted in a couple of sin binnings for home team players for fairly minor
issues. These actions brought the attention of both teams back to the
purpose of the afternoon and whilst Cricklade did not fully restore their
domination they engineered another opening for Mills to get his hat trick.
Fulltime
Cricklade RFC 53 Wootton Bassett RFC 2nds 0
Cricklade Man of the Match Alistair Webley.
Cricklade Cruise To Victory
After some indifferent early performances due mainly to a string of injuries
Cricklade appear to be getting their act together after a good away win at
Corsham two weeks ago and superb a performance this weekend against local
rivals Wootton Bassett. The visitors started well enough, but all the early
action came from the home team and it was no surprise when they were awarded
a penalty in front of the posts. Captain Lloyd popped the kick over with no
fuss, but this early success opened the flood gates and Bassett were
inundated for the rest of the half. Tries came from Rhys Mills, Danny Lloyd,
Chris Gee and Lee James (2), but the scorers were only part of this
sparkling performance. The scrum was solid and turned the ball over several
times, lineouts were secure and again several of Bassett's were stolen. At
the break down support arrived quickly, recycled the ball quickly and the
standard of handling was well above this level as everything just stuck.
Good as the performance was it should have been even better given that two
tries were disallowed on dubious grounds. Overrun as they were the visitors
didn't let their heads drop and had several chances to put points of their
own on the board, but Cricklade were having none of it.
Halftime Score
Cricklade RFC 34 Wooton Bassett RFC 2nds 0
The second half began much the same as the first had finished with Mills
getting his second of the day and James (Theo) Theobold getting one. With
the match now well won Cricklade took their foot of the pedal and
unfortunately the game suffered a spell of ill tempered behaviour that
resulted in a couple of sin binnings for home team players for fairly minor
issues. These actions brought the attention of both teams back to the
purpose of the afternoon and whilst Cricklade did not fully restore their
domination they engineered another opening for Mills to get his hat trick.
Fulltime
Cricklade RFC 53 Wootton Bassett RFC 2nds 0
Cricklade Man of the Match Alistair Webley.
New Year Promise For Cricklade
Without a game since the 12th December, Crick lade's injuries have had time
to heal and improve, but they are still shy of a couple of normal first
choice stalwarts. Despite this weakness playing at home presented an
opportunity to turn the tables on a Trowbridge team who only just managed to
secure the points earlier in the season. Cricklade started with the gentle
breeze behind them and used it to good advantage with some tactical kicking.
Trowbridge also started well by dictating the early scrums, but the
notoriously slow starting home side got into their stride and through their
pressure forced two penalties within minutes of each other. Rhys Mills
kicked the first but narrowly missed the second. The home side continued to
kick whenever the opportunity arose and from one such kick that represented
no threat the visitors somehow managed to lose possession and allow Dave Cox
to crash through and touch down under the posts which gave Mills the easies
of kicks for the other points. Trowbridge responded with a flurry of probes
along the Cricklade defence and were rewarded with a penalty that brought
them back into it. From the restart Cricklade won the resulting maul and a
timely off load found a charging Cox who stepped past two attempted tackles
and put the ball down under the posts as before and as before Mills popped
the easy kick over.
Half Time
Cricklade RFC 17 Trowbridge RFC 2nds 3
Trowbridge now had the benefit of the breeze and pinned Cricklade in their
half, but their zeal caught them out as they repeatedly came into rucks from
the side, illegally handled in the rucks or were caught off side. The
referee finally decided enough was enough and consigned one of them to the
sin bin. This relieved the pressure on Cricklade and they began to show the
desire of the first half as they laid siege to the visitors goal line.
Trowbridge repelled numerous attempts, but the pressure began to tell and
several penalties were conceded in quick succession. It was from one of
these tap penalties that James (Theo) Theobald finally scored the try he had
been threatening all afternoon. The tighter angle however was too much for
Mills and his kick slid wide. From the restart a now full strength
Trowbridge resumed their threat to the Cricklade line and an audacious back
pass (through his legs) stunned Crick lade's defence and found the overlap
on the right that allowed the winger to stroll home and touch down under the
posts and guarantee a successful conversion kick. From the restart Cricklade
made the mistake of being too aggressive and had one of their number sent to
the bin, but by now the game was drifting towards its end, the carded player
did regain the field and a kickable penalty to Cricklade went begging at the
death, but the home team had got the payback they sought and fully deserved
the result.
Cricklade RFC 22 Trowbridge RFC 2nds 10
Cricklade Man of the Match James Theobald.
Without a game since the 12th December, Crick lade's injuries have had time
to heal and improve, but they are still shy of a couple of normal first
choice stalwarts. Despite this weakness playing at home presented an
opportunity to turn the tables on a Trowbridge team who only just managed to
secure the points earlier in the season. Cricklade started with the gentle
breeze behind them and used it to good advantage with some tactical kicking.
Trowbridge also started well by dictating the early scrums, but the
notoriously slow starting home side got into their stride and through their
pressure forced two penalties within minutes of each other. Rhys Mills
kicked the first but narrowly missed the second. The home side continued to
kick whenever the opportunity arose and from one such kick that represented
no threat the visitors somehow managed to lose possession and allow Dave Cox
to crash through and touch down under the posts which gave Mills the easies
of kicks for the other points. Trowbridge responded with a flurry of probes
along the Cricklade defence and were rewarded with a penalty that brought
them back into it. From the restart Cricklade won the resulting maul and a
timely off load found a charging Cox who stepped past two attempted tackles
and put the ball down under the posts as before and as before Mills popped
the easy kick over.
Half Time
Cricklade RFC 17 Trowbridge RFC 2nds 3
Trowbridge now had the benefit of the breeze and pinned Cricklade in their
half, but their zeal caught them out as they repeatedly came into rucks from
the side, illegally handled in the rucks or were caught off side. The
referee finally decided enough was enough and consigned one of them to the
sin bin. This relieved the pressure on Cricklade and they began to show the
desire of the first half as they laid siege to the visitors goal line.
Trowbridge repelled numerous attempts, but the pressure began to tell and
several penalties were conceded in quick succession. It was from one of
these tap penalties that James (Theo) Theobald finally scored the try he had
been threatening all afternoon. The tighter angle however was too much for
Mills and his kick slid wide. From the restart a now full strength
Trowbridge resumed their threat to the Cricklade line and an audacious back
pass (through his legs) stunned Crick lade's defence and found the overlap
on the right that allowed the winger to stroll home and touch down under the
posts and guarantee a successful conversion kick. From the restart Cricklade
made the mistake of being too aggressive and had one of their number sent to
the bin, but by now the game was drifting towards its end, the carded player
did regain the field and a kickable penalty to Cricklade went begging at the
death, but the home team had got the payback they sought and fully deserved
the result.
Cricklade RFC 22 Trowbridge RFC 2nds 10
Cricklade Man of the Match James Theobald.
Cricklade Ravage Avonvale
After an early season 7- 35 home defeat by today's opponents Cricklade came
to this match with a number of doubts and uncertainties added to their
normal slow start problem and within two minute they were five points down
after a loose ball was kicked through for the home team to chase and pounce
on. Whether the home side became over confident from this early score, or
whether Cricklade were jolted into action through fear of another mauling is
not clear, but Avonvale never seriously threatened afterwards as Cricklade
took charge, totally dominated them and should have had at least another
twenty-one points to show.
The comeback began with the restart as Cricklade fought for and got
possession, then applied pressure through a number of phases that led to
Lloyd being awarded the simplest of penalty kicks. Their first try arrived a
few minutes later when the home sides shambollic lineout presented Lloyd
with the opportunity to feed Howse who in turn passed to a charging Chris
Gee who proceeded to burst through the defence and score under the post
giving Lloyd another unmissable opportunity. Cricklade continued to take
charge of the game and just before Cox grabbed the second, Bond streaked
over, but it was disallowed for a very marginal forward pass. The
disappointment didn't last long though when another lineout saw a repeat set
of events that led to Cox passing two defenders to score his second under
the posts and Lloyd duly popped the kick over.
Half Time Avonvale RFC 5 Cricklade RFC 17
The home side started the second half with loads of endeavour and
commitment, but once again it was Cricklade who played the best rugby and
were awarded another penalty as Avonvale infringed. Skipper Lloyd decided to
kick for goal and was fully vindicated when the tight angle was judged to
perfection. The game now entered a less attractive phase as some tempers
flared and a spate of silly infringements resulted in the referee sin
binning a home side player in an effort to calm things down. Cricklade
exploited their manpower advantage and should have had two more try's, but
for Bonds take being ruled illegal and Howse throwing away possession almost
on the line as he ran out of steam. He did however get a try when possession
came to him after a home scrum and this time his legs did carry him over the
line under the posts for another easy Lloyd conversion. Avonvale rallied
late in the game, but the visitors defence was too good and from a well
worked move out of defence the home team gave away another penalty that
Lloyd put over to give him six from six.
Avonvale RFC 5 Cricklade RFC 30
Cricklade Man of the Match Chris Gee
After an early season 7-
to this match with a number of doubts and uncertainties added to their
normal slow start problem and within two minute they were five points down
after a loose ball was kicked through for the home team to chase and pounce
on. Whether the home side became over confident from this early score, or
whether Cricklade were jolted into action through fear of another mauling is
not clear, but Avonvale never seriously threatened afterwards as Cricklade
took charge, totally dominated them and should have had at least another
twenty-
The comeback began with the restart as Cricklade fought for and got
possession, then applied pressure through a number of phases that led to
Lloyd being awarded the simplest of penalty kicks. Their first try arrived a
few minutes later when the home sides shambollic lineout presented Lloyd
with the opportunity to feed Howse who in turn passed to a charging Chris
Gee who proceeded to burst through the defence and score under the post
giving Lloyd another unmissable opportunity. Cricklade continued to take
charge of the game and just before Cox grabbed the second, Bond streaked
over, but it was disallowed for a very marginal forward pass. The
disappointment didn't last long though when another lineout saw a repeat set
of events that led to Cox passing two defenders to score his second under
the posts and Lloyd duly popped the kick over.
Half Time Avonvale RFC 5 Cricklade RFC 17
The home side started the second half with loads of endeavour and
commitment, but once again it was Cricklade who played the best rugby and
were awarded another penalty as Avonvale infringed. Skipper Lloyd decided to
kick for goal and was fully vindicated when the tight angle was judged to
perfection. The game now entered a less attractive phase as some tempers
flared and a spate of silly infringements resulted in the referee sin
binning a home side player in an effort to calm things down. Cricklade
exploited their manpower advantage and should have had two more try's, but
for Bonds take being ruled illegal and Howse throwing away possession almost
on the line as he ran out of steam. He did however get a try when possession
came to him after a home scrum and this time his legs did carry him over the
line under the posts for another easy Lloyd conversion. Avonvale rallied
late in the game, but the visitors defence was too good and from a well
worked move out of defence the home team gave away another penalty that
Lloyd put over to give him six from six.
Avonvale RFC 5 Cricklade RFC 30
Cricklade Man of the Match Chris Gee
Nick Bond may have been robbed of two try's during the day, but his
Robbie Williams impression won him Cricklade RFC's "Stars in their Eyes"
Competition that night.
Cricklade Ruin Supermarines Plans
Supermarine found themselves with the same dilemma as Cricklade when the
reverse of this fixture took place, but despite the home side still being
short of a number of key players their recently found skill and discipline
were too much for the weakened but still aspirational Supermarine. The first
thirty-five minutes of the game were very close with try opportunities
arising for both sides, but it was the visitors that got the first points on
the board after they mauled their way to within twenty yards of the line
then popped the ball to a runner who dummied the defence and flopped over
the line under the posts to ensure an easy conversion. Cricklade reacted
positively, probing the visitors defence for a weak spot and as half time
approached a move on the left that should have brought a try was recycled
and slickly transferred to the right were Nick Bond collected the ball at
speed and ran down the touchline almost unopposed. The angle was tight and
the breeze stiff enough to cause Lloyd to miss the conversion.
Half Time
Cricklade RFC 5 Supermarine RFC 7
The second half began with loads of pressure, movement and educated kicking
by the home team which kept Supermarine pinned back in their own half for
long periods and caused frustration, indiscipline and eventually the penalty
in front of the posts that Skipper Lloyd slotted over. With their noses in
front and Supermarine in self destruct mode they continued with the same
tactics from the restart, the continuing pressure disturbed Supermarines
discipline further and most decisions were now going Cricklades way, so it
was no surprise when Lloyd was given and took the opportunity to put the
home side further in front. Supermarine should have been able to see what
was happening beyond the red mist, but they continued to infringe and Lloyd
put another three points on the board to give Cricklade a converted try
lead. Full time was only minutes away and although the home side appeared to
be in control a lapse of concentration nearly robbed them of the deserved
win, when the still dangerous Supermarine engineered a gap in the defence
and scored the try left of the posts in a very kickable position. Luck
however stayed with the home team and as the ball passed the wrong side of
the post the final whistle was blown.
Cricklade Coach Gavin Russ commented after the game that he thought his
players had put on a superb display of skill and discipline against a
powerful and talented opponent, but that Supermarines comments to local
papers leading up to this game had made his motivational task much easier.
Full Time
Cricklade RFC 14 Supermarine RFC 12
Cricklade Man of the Match Kevin Gough
Supermarine found themselves with the same dilemma as Cricklade when the
reverse of this fixture took place, but despite the home side still being
short of a number of key players their recently found skill and discipline
were too much for the weakened but still aspirational Supermarine. The first
thirty-
arising for both sides, but it was the visitors that got the first points on
the board after they mauled their way to within twenty yards of the line
then popped the ball to a runner who dummied the defence and flopped over
the line under the posts to ensure an easy conversion. Cricklade reacted
positively, probing the visitors defence for a weak spot and as half time
approached a move on the left that should have brought a try was recycled
and slickly transferred to the right were Nick Bond collected the ball at
speed and ran down the touchline almost unopposed. The angle was tight and
the breeze stiff enough to cause Lloyd to miss the conversion.
Half Time
Cricklade RFC 5 Supermarine RFC 7
The second half began with loads of pressure, movement and educated kicking
by the home team which kept Supermarine pinned back in their own half for
long periods and caused frustration, indiscipline and eventually the penalty
in front of the posts that Skipper Lloyd slotted over. With their noses in
front and Supermarine in self destruct mode they continued with the same
tactics from the restart, the continuing pressure disturbed Supermarines
discipline further and most decisions were now going Cricklades way, so it
was no surprise when Lloyd was given and took the opportunity to put the
home side further in front. Supermarine should have been able to see what
was happening beyond the red mist, but they continued to infringe and Lloyd
put another three points on the board to give Cricklade a converted try
lead. Full time was only minutes away and although the home side appeared to
be in control a lapse of concentration nearly robbed them of the deserved
win, when the still dangerous Supermarine engineered a gap in the defence
and scored the try left of the posts in a very kickable position. Luck
however stayed with the home team and as the ball passed the wrong side of
the post the final whistle was blown.
Cricklade Coach Gavin Russ commented after the game that he thought his
players had put on a superb display of skill and discipline against a
powerful and talented opponent, but that Supermarines comments to local
papers leading up to this game had made his motivational task much easier.
Full Time
Cricklade RFC 14 Supermarine RFC 12
Cricklade Man of the Match Kevin Gough
Short Handed Corsham Swamped By Cricklade
It is much to Corshams credit that despite having only thirteen available
players and having been beaten at home by twenty-five to zero earlier in the
season, they turned out for this match and for the first few minutes were
good value as they shocked the home team into giving away a penalty. After
that however Cricklade used their superior numbers to good effect and the
points began to mount. Simon Howse helped himself to the first two with his
first being the best as he twice used his show and go move to off balance
the defence. The third went to Danny Harris when he collected a looped pass
from Rhys Mills and moments later it was Mills who scored the forth under
the posts following a good scrum wide on the left and some very smart
handling. A fifth was added by Gavin Nicholls following a good steal at a
Corsham lineout and the first half scoring was capped off by Howse again.
Just before the whistle the visitors were awarded another penalty, but
failed to make it count.
Half Time
Cricklade RFC 42 Corsham RFC 2nds 3
The visitors came out for the second half showing lots of determination and
Cricklades points rampage was halted for quite a while. The effort and the
pressure eventually told however and the home side added another try when
Chris Boyd reacted quicker than their scrum half as the ball squirted out
the back of their scrum. The eighth try was scored by Nick Bond wide on the
left and this was the only kick that Rhys Mills missed all day. A final try
was notched up by near veteran Steve Baldwin as the final minutes ticked
away.
Corsham's manpower shortage throughout the game allowed Cricklade an easy
victory, but with Supermarine losing it has lifted them to sixth in the
league and when Sutton Benger are deducted the two points for pulling out of
their fixture with Cricklade this will become fifth.
Full Time
Cricklade RFC 61 Corsham RFC 2nds 3
Cricklade Man of the Match
Chris Boyd
It is much to Corshams credit that despite having only thirteen available
players and having been beaten at home by twenty-
season, they turned out for this match and for the first few minutes were
good value as they shocked the home team into giving away a penalty. After
that however Cricklade used their superior numbers to good effect and the
points began to mount. Simon Howse helped himself to the first two with his
first being the best as he twice used his show and go move to off balance
the defence. The third went to Danny Harris when he collected a looped pass
from Rhys Mills and moments later it was Mills who scored the forth under
the posts following a good scrum wide on the left and some very smart
handling. A fifth was added by Gavin Nicholls following a good steal at a
Corsham lineout and the first half scoring was capped off by Howse again.
Just before the whistle the visitors were awarded another penalty, but
failed to make it count.
Half Time
Cricklade RFC 42 Corsham RFC 2nds 3
The visitors came out for the second half showing lots of determination and
Cricklades points rampage was halted for quite a while. The effort and the
pressure eventually told however and the home side added another try when
Chris Boyd reacted quicker than their scrum half as the ball squirted out
the back of their scrum. The eighth try was scored by Nick Bond wide on the
left and this was the only kick that Rhys Mills missed all day. A final try
was notched up by near veteran Steve Baldwin as the final minutes ticked
away.
Corsham's manpower shortage throughout the game allowed Cricklade an easy
victory, but with Supermarine losing it has lifted them to sixth in the
league and when Sutton Benger are deducted the two points for pulling out of
their fixture with Cricklade this will become fifth.
Full Time
Cricklade RFC 61 Corsham RFC 2nds 3
Cricklade Man of the Match
Chris Boyd