Shipston Defeat Reading Abbey RFC

Shipston got their Southern Counties North league season back on track with victory over a Reading Abbey side who had been enjoying a good run of form themselves this year, putting together a string of good results in the opening stages of the season.

The Rams welcomed back skipper Aaron Neal into the pack at number 8 and there was a re-shuffle in the back line as Harry Clark, predominantly used as a flanker so far this season, was moved back to the wing position that he had was more accustomed too in previous years. After a bit of a deluge overnight and into the morning of the game, everyone was pleased to see the sun break through and conditions were excellent as the game got underway.

Playing down the slope in the first period, Shipston got into the game very well and immediately began putting some decent phases of rugby together. Some strong carries from the likes of Dan Taylor and Charlie Hollies-Everett allowed the Rams to get over the gain line on numerous occasions and set a platform to attack from. Their early pressure was rewarded on 10 minutes, when Rob James latched onto a good break up the middle from Taylor and was able to dot down for the opening score of the match, 5-0.

Abbey looked to play territory and utilized a kicking game from their fly half, working their way nicely into positions and setting up areas in which to strike. Shipston's defence was resolute though and they didn't allow Reading to get any real momentum going. The visitors did however get themselves onto the score sheet after 15 minutes when they successfully kicked a penalty following infringements at the ruck from the Rams.

The rest of the half saw Shipston have the better of the exchanges and they were duly rewarded with the second try of the afternoon. Some more good rugby saw them advance into the Abbey twenty two and after a couple of half breaks in the midfield, the ball was spun wide to Harry Clark who finished well in the corner, 10-3. Abbey hit back with another penalty just before half time meaning that the two sides went in at the break with the score at 10-6 to Shipston.

Playing up the slope in the second half, the Rams had to work hard in defence and kick accurately when they wanted to gain more territory. They started the half strongly and soon found themselves on the front foot and working their way deep into the Abbey half, recycling the ball well at the break down getting quick ball to attack with. The midfield of Taylor and James were again looking threatening and another half break got them to within 10 metres of the Reading line. Some crashes up the middle from the forwards got them to within a metre before some more quick ball was fed to skipper, Aaron Neal who crashed his way over to score the third try of the afternoon. Henry Hopkins was this time successful with the conversion and the score was now 17-6 to the hosts.

It was looking like Shipston would go on from there and take the game away from the visitors, but to Abbey's great credit, they dug deep and battled back into the match, kicking the territory well once again and forcing Shipston into a string of penalties. Two of these were successfully kicked from the Reading fly half and the Rams found their lead cut to a slender 17-12 with 15 minutes left on the clock.

Shipston continually got themselves into good areas of the field, but a lack of discipline and a few errant lineouts meant that they were unable to capitalize on them. In the 75th minute, Reading found possession in the Shipston half and they were throwing everything they had at the Rams, who's defence was once again proving solid. One error at the ruck was enough for the Reading scrum half though and some poor alignment around the guard position allowed him to sneak through a gap and race away to the corner for their first try of the afternoon. The kick from the touchline was missed and this leveled the game up at 17-17 with 5 minutes to play.

To Shipston's credit, they never panicked and immediately began to work their way up the field and into a position to launch an attack. From a penalty just inside the Reading half, they opted to trust their lineout and kick for the corner, with Faulkner finding touch with a good kick, leaving them 15m from the Abbey line. The resulting lineout was won and the rams set up a driving maul which made steady ground up the field, before the ball was released and Henry Hopkins made a burst up the middle of the field. From the ruck, the ball was passed back to the right hand touchline, through the hands, where Harry Clark was able to receive the ball on an overlap and cut inside the covering full back to score in the corner! Robbie Faulkner was successful with the kick from the touchline and Shipston led 24-17 with seconds remaining.

From the restart, skipper Aaron Neal gathered the ball and promptly hoofed it off the park! This proved to be the final act of the game and the referee blew the whistle to draw an end to an enthralling encounter, with the Rams coming out on top with a bonus point, four try victory.

The MOTM this week was awarded to a well deserving William "Spider" Gasson for his tireless work in both defence and attack throughout the game.

The Rams continue their league action next week (6th November) when they travel to Gosford All Blacks RFC, 2.30pm Kick off.