Sparks of Life

Despite leaving the field with no points and another defeat the Kingfishers actually left with head held high and confidence boosted. The general consensus around the ground was how can a team playing as well as R be bottom of the league looking over the edge of the relegation abyss?

C opened the scoring with a well drilled line out move and driving maul but as soon as R had the ball in their hands they sparked into life. New flyhalf James Widdop opened up the back line with skillful passes and kicks that inspired R to play with more confidence and flare than they have experienced of late. The first try however came from a searching kick from fullback Will Baillon, the defending winger was hunted down by Phil Harding and when the clearance kick eventually came WB was there to charge it down, retrieve the loose ball and score.
But despite the more adventurous play R found it hard to actually breakthrough the stubborn C defending and their other failing, tackling, returned to haunt them when the C no7 weaved through despairing bodies to score a spectacular try.
JW slotted over a penalty kick from 40m which was matched shortly after by Claverdon. JW had a chance to take R into the break 2 points down with another penalty kick but hit the post, the follow runners were lacking. 13-8 to C at the break

Each side started the second half with 14 men following a scuffle at the end of the first half resulted in a yellow for Ingrams and C second row. but it was the C wing forward who again made his mark on the game with another weaving run. This was quickly followed by another C try which may not had been awarded had their been a touch judge on the far side but inexplicably the ref was happy to play the whole game without one.

By now JW was hobbling having had his leg trodden on whilst on the floor, R's scrum had taken the upper hand, dominating in the tight so when a series of penalties were awarded following strong drives R chose, the scrum options which enabled no8 Jack Duffy to pick and charge and score a long awaited try duly converted by JW.

Though R played with confidence and determination they were unable to get through again as the C tackling proved stronger, C in their turn added two tries late on to give the final score the appearance of a convincing win, it was nothing of the sort.

Steve Willman and Mark Green linked well in the centre, replacement full back Ash Mooney threatened at times whilst Widdop pulled the strings at 10. In the pack Dave Ingram brought some aggression to the loose, Second row Matt Allen and Ricky Merritt competed strongly in all areas,

There is a break to the league programme this weekend, the weekend after R host Coventrians.