1st XV vs Bury St Edmunds

Saturday 12th April 2008

Full BackJonathan Child
WingLuke Williams
WingPeter Elliott
CentreEd Merrivale
CentreNick Brown
Fly HalfGareth Hughes
Scrum HalfTom Winter
No 8Rob Picken
FlankerTom Jankowski
FlankerAndy Hawkins
Second RowTom Hughes
Second RowWilliam Freeston
PropGrant Keeler
HookerSimon Banks
PropJacques Naude
  
SubstitutesRob Muggridge
 Rob James
 Frank Sutherland

On a gloriously sunny day with firm conditions underfoot, Welwyn took to the field knowing that a win was essential to ensure that they remained in the London 2 North league. A good crowd, courtesy of the annual Vice Presidents’ lunch, was on the touchline to give support to a team who have had a mixed season in terms of results, mainly due to injuries and unavailability of players for key matches.

Simon Banks set the tone for the game by winning the first scrum against the head and Welwyn played one of their best games of the season from thereon in. On the attack from the kick off, Welwyn were awarded a penalty after 10 minutes which Gareth Hughes slotted over to give them an early 3-0 lead. Sustained pressure from Welwyn who kept the ball alive through several phases of play resulted in Grant Keeler diving over the line for a try to give Welwyn an 8-0 lead after quarter of an hour. Bury, having expected an easy victory along the lines of the first meeting of the two teams just prior to Christmas, realised that they were going to have to work hard if they wanted to come away from Hertfordshire with any league points and started competing. 25 minutes into the game, Welwyn were awarded a penalty in the Bury half and Gareth Hughes slotted the ball over the posts to give Welwyn an 11-0 lead. Almost immediately from the kick off, Bury were awarded a penalty to bring the score to 11-3. From the restart, Bury again stormed into the Welwyn half and William Freeston was given a yellow card for deliberately killing the ball close to the Welwyn line. This gave Bury another chance to kick for the posts and they duly added the points, bringing the score to 11-6 with about 10 minutes of the half left. Welwyn were promptly awarded a penalty just in the Bury half, which was moved forward 10 metres for back chat to the referee. Gareth Hughes kicked the 3 points to give Welwyn a 14-6 lead. Play fluctuated between the two halves for about 10 minutes before Gareth Hughes increased Welwyn’s lead to 17-6 with another penalty.

Bury had the strong breeze slightly in their favour for the second half and made a lively start, scoring a converted try to bring the score line to 17-13 after three minutes. Rob James came on to replace Andy Hawkins, who had taken a knock towards the end of the first half. Welwyn kicked for touch from a penalty and Tom Jankowski took the ball well from the resulting lineout. The ball was passed along the backs to Peter Elliott, who made good ground before chipping the ball forward. The ball rebounded from a Bury player into the arms of Jonathan Child, who passed the ball out to Luke Williams to score an unconverted try, and give Welwyn a 22-13 lead. Bury responded quickly with their fly half distributing the ball well to their backs and enabling them to take play into the Welwyn half. They were awarded a penalty for their efforts and narrowed the margin to 22-16. Two further changes in personnel were made with Jacques Naude being replaced by Rob Muggridge and Luke Williams being replaced by Frank Sutherland. Rob Picken had a storming game at No 8 and Bury were unable to deal with his regular pick up and drives from the back of the scrum. From one such move, Gareth Hughes hoisted a high ball which Bury failed to field, allowing Peter Elliott to gather the ball and race over the line to score under the posts. Gareth Hughes obliged with the conversion and Welwyn enjoyed a 29-16 lead with about quarter of an hour of the match to go. Bury refused to give up the game and again hounded the Welwyn line. Dogged defence kept them out with both forwards and backs doing their bit to prevent Bury from scoring. However, Bury opted to take a quick penalty and Welwyn were unable to stop their winger scampering over in the corner for a try, which they failed to convert.

Welwyn were deserved winners of this contest and showed that they are capable of competing well in this league. London Nigerians were narrowly beaten by Ruislip which means that Welwyn remain in London 2 North for next season. Each and every player performed well for Welwyn in an outstanding team effort. Some telling touch kicks from Child, quick distribution by Winter, good passing amongst the backs and effective recycling of the ball by the forwards ensured a night of celebration for the club. Rob Picken was awarded Man of the Match for yet another committed performance.