Match Review - Marist Vs Bridlington 2nd's

The home side were forced to make several positional changes, due to injuries to scrum half Reece Walker, and the late withdrawal due to illness of winger Will Vernon.

Marist received the kick off and were under pressure for the opening fifteen minutes, but stern defence and frequent handling errors from the visitors restricted the score to a converted try to give Bridlington an early 7-0 lead. The try followed a rare excursion from the home side into the visitors territory, but a misfield of a poor kick allowed the visitors to run in a 70 metre try.

Marist then replied with three tries before half time, the first came from a long kick from off half Vernon leading to a penalty 5 metres out which was quickly taken by Dave Brooke who fed Billy Thacker who crashed over unopposed. The second was a fine set move from the training pitch with a good clean line out ball from Neil Dent feeding prop Danny Marrow whose pin point pass created a gap for scrum half Paul Ford to force his way over. The final try before half time followed a delicate kick through from Dave Brooke who was obstructed, but was touched down by winger Casey Hultum. Only one of the tries was converted by Ian Vernon, which left Marist leading 17 – 7 at half time in a good open game of rugby well refereed by well known ex local player Jim Harris.

The second half opened well for the home side who increased their lead within two minutes with a simple walk over try for Casey Hultum following another stolen lineout from Neil Dent and slick handling from the Marist backs. This was again converted by Vernon.

The visitors then had a sustained period of pressure, but the home defence was outstanding, with man of the match scrum half Paul Ford marshalling his forwards ably led by Dave Beecroft to only concede a penalty and one try to leave the score at 24-15 heading into the final fifteen minutes.

Marist then raised their game and were duly rewarded with a try from Chris Sanderson following fine interplay between No 8 Bobby Marrow and Paul Ford.

Bridlington scored a late consolation try to leave the score at 31-20 to the home side who made it three out of three for the season.
The most satisfying aspects of the game were the dominance of the home scrum with the front row of Beecroft, Thacker and Marrow leading the way, followed by another aggressive defensive display in which Paul Ford shone, probably the best scrum half in the area pound for pound. Mike Marrow continues to shine with the freedom of playing in the back row, and covered every inch of the pitch.

Marist have a tough fixture away to Knaresborough next week which could well prove pivotal, even at this early stage of the season