RFU Junior Vase 05/11/2011 Overton 6-Holbrook 13

AN Overton dropped goal within 30 seconds of the start was overshadowed by a well taken Holbrook try directly from the restart. So 3-5 after just 3 minutes set the spectators expectation of a cracking display. However, it soon became clear that the rest of the fireworks were duds and the only other explosion occured 10 mins from time when an Overton player received his marching orders following a fracas.
With several regular players nursing injuries or absent for other reasons, Holbrook saw this as an opportunity to blood a couple of the promising youngsters from their improving 2nd team and also to give a seasons first start to two players returning after long lay offs. Matt Sprigge and Glen Westoby had a half each on the wing and performed well on their introduction to 1st team rugby, although they must wonder when the ball ever does get out to the wing. Meanwhile two returning players Rich Brooker and Dan Stockdale reminded the selectors of their abilities when they both scored tries in the first 15 mins of the match.
So, a quick dropped goal by Overton from the kick off was cancelled out immediatley by an Holbrook try as from the restart Steyne Van Der Mewre gathered the kick, set up a ruck and the ball was moved along the back line to Rich Brooker who slid past 2 defenders to score on his return from injury. A period of inconclusive rugby followed with both sides testing each other out, untill a wayward kick out of defence by Overton was collected bu Full Back Ben Wells who spotting space out wide moved the ball along to wing Dan Stockdale who from his own 10 meter line outpaced the Overton defence to score a second Holbrook try.
A penalty by Nick Holt was the only addition to the score line before half time 3-13 to Holbrook.
The second half was a real wet squib as both sides struggled to gain any real control and most of the play was in the Holbrook half, although their try line rarely, if ever seemed threatened. A sole penalty by Overton the only score of the half, 6-13.
A long journey, many changes of personnell and positional did not help Holbrook and once again they relied on their two outstanding back row men of Steyne Van Der Mewre and Dave thomas who both stood out above the mediocre fayre provided by both sides. However, it was a good experience for the newly introduced youngsters and should reap it's rewards later in the season as they get more 1st team games. Sometimes teams just have to accept that they just need to win even if it is "ugly".