The first home game of the season at The Sycamores was against welcomed visitors Old Grovians and with 3 out from last week’s backs line-up, the WPL Coaches had to conjure up a new look formation to take to the field.
Some early penalties help WPL to venture downfield in to the Old Grovians 22 but the lineout throw is deemed not straight and WPL fail to further capitalize.
A penalty kick to Old Grovians in the ninth minute breaks the deadlock; 0 v 3. Their lead was further extended as the visitors effectively moved the ball in hand across the backs to score on the right and with the conversion being made WPL were 10 points to the deficit; 0 v 10.
From the re-start a penalty is awarded to WPL for holding on and the kick to touch from fly-half Shakespeare ushers the WPL forwards in to a decent position in their opponents 22. However, the ball is stolen by Old Grovians and is well cleared up-field to touch.
WPL fall further behind with a converted try as the opposing full-back weaves his way through from his own half to score under the posts; 0 v 17 with 25 minutes played.
The lead is reduced following a penalty kick by Shakespeare on the 22 in front of the posts to break WPL’s duck; 3 v 17. Major comes off the bench for his first game of the season to bolster the pack and certainly injects a bit more urgency as the forwards try to claw their way back.
Once again WPL are assisted with 3 successive penalties as they work their way down the right flank but are unable to hold on to the ball in the lineout 5m out. Possession is lost and Old Grovians once again are able to clear the danger.
At half-time the score board does not look happy viewing for the home supporters at 3 v 17; but with the invigorating words and some tactical tweaks by the Coaches WPL still are in this game.
Hooker Rogers rampages up-field to raise the tempo and eat up some of the Old Grovians territory but with limited support is unable to hold on to possession and the visitors look to counter through their backs. A break from their full-back down the right opens up space and passes inside for the score; with conversion successful WPL fall further behind, 3 v 24.
WPL keep possession at the re-start as the hard working Malkinson plucks the ball out of the air and the forwards start to work more as a cohesive unit. With several phases of clean ball WPL look more of a threat and with probing runs by Major, Hill and Blakely the Old Grovians defence are having to really work hard over a period of sustained pressure. A penalty is given to WPL and a kick to the left touch enables the forwards to hold on to the ball and drive strongly across the try-line but the whistler takes play back for a 5m scrum as the ball is deemed not to have been grounded. With the pressure mounting Hill scores from close range, Shakespeare pushes the conversion wide but at least WPL have their first try, 8 v 24.
With the home supporters starting to find their voices, as the clubhouse balcony starts to bathe in the late afternoon’s sunshine, WPL continue their fight-back quest. Blakely drives in from close but is stopped and Hill picks up to take two tacklers over with him in scoring his second try; conversion successful, 15 v 24. Slowly but surely WPL start to show some belief.
However, the game’s momentum shifted back to the visitors as they scored under the posts; 15 v 31. With another long range effort from Old Grovians helped by some now tiring WPL tackles the lead was further extended by another converted try; 15 v 38.
WPL worked hard to keep Old Grovians from scoring again but a penalty in front of the posts gave the visitors three more points; 15 v 41.
Incursions to the visitors 22 were limited but with the clock ticking down, one last sustained effort from WPL enabled Ralston to finish off wide on the left. The final whistle blew as the missed conversion sailed wide, 20 v 41.
Some encouraging signs for WPL as they strive for their first win of the season and Coaches and Players alike will be no doubt working even harder through the week to get that particular ball rolling.