Withycombe Rugby Club away to Camborne Rugby Club - Saturday 19th September 2009

Camborne 40 Withycombe 3

Last season honours were even between the two clubs. This year Camborne are at the top of the league and Withycombe at the bottom so an interesting contest was anticipated.

Camborne kicked off and started an immediate attacking move which Withycombe countered only to concede a penalty. Camborne took the points.

Play moved back and forth between the two until Camborne conceded a penalty which Jack Pugsley slotted over to level the scores.

Unfortunately that was the last time Withycombe put any points on the board. Both sides made attacking moves which the other side held. Lineouts were won and lost as each side momentarily gained the upper hand. Withycombe had a drop goal attempt that did not come off.

Camborne attacked and Withycombe had to concede a penalty whilst defending. Score now 6 – 3.
A quick break by Camborne and a long kick to the Withycombe try line caused some panic in the defence which resulted in a Camborne try.

Withycombe failed to win the next lineout giving the opportunity for Camborne to run in another converted try to end the half 18-3 ahead.

During the second half Withycombe piled on pressure but were unable to cross the line. For 20 minutes they attacked the Camborne line in what was to become an eventful 2nd half. Camborne defended, conterd but failed to add points. Camborne lost a man to the sin bin but Withycombe just could not break through. Camborne made a quick break and again Withycombe conceded a penalty which enabled Camborne to go further ahead 21-3.

With injuries to Sam Manning and Jimmy Holman, Withycombe lost momentum and were punished by conceding a converted try.

The Withycombe pack made headway against Camborne, pushing them backwards on several occasions but the backs were unable to take advantage of any opening. Camborne started to lose composure and concede penalties but Withycombe just could not derive any benefit.

Withycombe’s last serious attack was going well until they lost possession on the line and Camborne ran the length of the pitch to score. The game ended Camborne 40 Withycombe 3.

Yet again Withycombe showed great spirit and determination but these qualities were not enough to counter the league leaders who had an excellent 10 and 15 who were quick. The Withycombe pack were the equal of Camborne but Withycombe’s defensive kicking needs to be longer so as to force defending players to turn and run back.

Withycombe are at home to Penryn on Saturday 26th. Kick off 2.30pm

Withycombe Rugby Club at home to Okehampton Rugby Club - Saturday 12th September 2009

Withycombe 11 Okehampton 13

Withycombe played host to newly promoted Okehampton for their first fixture at home.

The first five minutes saw possession pass from one side to another as each made attacking moves and conceded penalties. Then Withycombe’s Chris Ellor received a blow to the face resulting in him being replaced by Gareth Price.

Okehampton made progress towards the Withycombe line winning a line out and subsequent ruck. Okehampton were awarded a scrum from which Withycombe took back possession only to be adjudged offside in front of the posts. Okehampton took the easy three points.

Withycombe made a poor restart, losing a scrum which gave Okehampton the chance to make a break for the line, running through weak Withycombe defence to score a converted try.

Withycombe started to counter attack with several strong moves started by Dan Mather(7) Withycombe’s Man of the Match, moving across the line only for a knock on to stop momentum. Just as progress was being made Withycombe concede two penalties in quick succession so losing valuable ground. In the past the opposition would have punished Withies but not this time. Withycombe just started again and made a move that stuck. Richard Hall(10) passed to Ben Mardle(11) to Ned Williams (12) to Gareth Price(16) as they chased to the Okehampton line. Gareth offloaded to Jimmy Holman (14) to score an unconverted try.

Withycombe resisted a strong counter attack by Okehampton to prevent another score in the first half. Not every defensive kick by Withycombe found touch which meant that the defence had to work that little bit harder.

Okehampton lost their composure at the restart conceding a series of penalties and territory until there was one close to the posts a penalty which new signing Ollie Ellsworth put over.

Withycombe could scent victory as both sides attacked very strongly. Okehampton would make a break usually started by their centre and passing ball well but time and time again Withycombe would stop them with the pack defending strongly, then mount their attack. Eventually Okehampton buckled under the pressure and conceded a penalty which Ollie Ellsworth put over to put Withycombe in front.

Hopes were high that Withycombe could hold on to the lead but in defending a strong Okehampton attack conceded a penalty to go 2 points behind.

Still Withycombe refused to give in, making several breaks carried forcibly by Ned Williams through the middle which eventually gave an opportunity for the ball to get out to Jimmy Holman. He was unlucky that his scoring run from inside the Withycombe half came to nothing as he was judged to have put a foot into touch.

Tempers frayed at decisions made and both teams had a player yellow carded. Withycombe made another attacking move only for a cross kick to be marked by Okehampton so ending an eventful if frustrating game for Withycombe.

Final score Withycombe 11 Okehampton 13.

Next week Withycombe are away to Camborne.
 

Withycombe Rugby Club away to Bude - 5^th September 2009
 

Bude 34 Withycombe 3

Following a very successful series of pre-season friendlies in which only one try was conceded, hopes were high that Withycombe would start the season well.

Unfortunately a number of absentees due to the dreaded swine flu, injuries and family commitments resulted in Withycombe having to field an under strength side for the first fixture of the new season.

Following a good kick off Withycombe looked well controlled. The pack won an early scrum only to concede a penalty at the breakdown. Bude attacked the line which Withycombe defended until they ran out of players. Bude up 5 points.

After the restart Withycombe looked to be getting back in to contention, winning a scrum and then forcing a penalty. A strong cross wind prevented the ball from going over.

Bude came back and poor discipline by Withycombe conceded a penalty resulting in a Bude try.

Withycombe countered and after a strong passage of play were awarded a penalty which new comer Nathan Hardy slotted over for 3 points. Withycombe continued to attack, recycling the ball out to Jascha Saeck who came back in with a blistering run only to be stopped. Bude obtained possession and ran in a converted try. Before half time Bude ran in another try breaking the Withycombe defence finishing the half 22 -  3.

Withycombe lost Gareth Price to a nasty shoulder injury which meant re-arranging the team. Bude were able to take advantage of this change by pushing over for a try.

Then a change of fortune, Withycome started to gather momentum and dominate play. Bude lost a player to the bin for 10 minutes. The backs started to clear quicker ball giving Jimmy Holman several attempts at running in a try only to be stopped at the last. Such was the eagerness and commitment by Withycombe that surely they must score but it was not to be. It was almost as if they were getting in each others way which Bude capitalised on and scored a runaway try which was totally against the run of play.

Another strong attack by Withycombe was broken by another strong run by Bude. A superb tap tackle by Adam Morris prevented the try.

The final score Bude 34 Withycombe 3. If the result had rested on determination and grit then Withycombe would have been clear winners. They were the better team in the second half. It was a shame that the score line did not reflect this.

Withycombe are at home to Okehampton next week. Kick off 2.30pm.