After a long festive break and with multiple fixtures being rearranged, Five Ways took to the pitch for their first league fixture of 2016.
The home team started the brightest and put FW under some early pressure with their forwards making use of quick ball from the open phases of the game. The cobwebs from the several weeks of rest were apparent in the opening 10 minutes until Five Ways got hold of the ball for the first time. With the forwards carrying well and making good yards, the ball was picked up by scrum half Ash Hayden and the backs got it through hands quickly and created a 2 on 1 with Ian Chaston drawing the defender and offloading to John Meredith who ran it in under the posts for the first try of the match. The extras were added.

From this FW continued to pressure the opposition, unfortunately the referee viewed that we entered a ruck from the side and awarded the home side a penalty. They opted for the 3 points and were successful.

This rallied Five Ways and from the restart they put huge pressure on Guild and this lead to some great phase play from the forwards, the ball was again used quickly and found its way to Ian Chaston who had another 2 on 1. Again the defender was drawn in and the ball found its way to John Meredith to score his 2nd of the game, the extras were again added from the boot. With Half time drawing in and FW still applying the pressure TG gave away a penalty and this time FW took the kick for 3 points. FW continued to control the game and were awarded another penalty on Half time and Ian Chaston slotted the ball over to add the 3 points.

HALF TIME. - Trinity Guild 3 – 20 Five Ways

The second half started much in the same vein as the first, Guild applying some good pressure and Ways struggling to get going. It took some time for FWOE to settle down but once they did the quality of the team appeared, some strong carries from the forwards and great lines by the backs started to open up holes in the Trinity Guild defence. As in the first half, good play from the forwards gave the backs the space they needed and a perfectly timed pass from John Mounter set up Ian Chaston to split the defence and with players offering support he was able to score under the posts. Again the extras were added.

FW continued to string good passages of play together and create several chances that couldn’t be capitalised on. As Five Ways started to up the gears Trinity Guild were struggling to stay with the pace of the game and with quick hands and a darting run from Jess Banner, he was able to set up John Meredith for his 3rd try of the game as he ran in uncontested under the posts. A good day from Ian Chaston with the boot as he slotted the extras to make it 100% from the tee.

FULL TIME – Trinity Guild 3 – 34 Five Ways

A good day in the office for FWs, with some testing games ahead FWs will be aiming to stay on top.