SHIPSTON PUSH WOODRUSH CLOSE

Shipston hosted top of the table Woodrush on a fine afternoon in front of an excellent home crowd. The crowd numbers swelled as Shipston hosted their first VP day of the season. With Shipston playing down the slope for the first half it was the visitors who kicked off. Excellent early play with good handling skills on show Shipston played using the whole width of the pitch. The pressure resulted in an early penalty and the kick by captain Matt Corby went safely to touch by the visitors 22. From the lineout the opposition were on the back foot and Shipston received a penalty. The ever improving, scrum half, Rob James decided to take it quickly and with more good handling by the forwards second row George Weywell set up prop Ben Haines for a direct run through the Woodrush pack for an excellent try. With four minutes gone and a successful conversion the home team were seven points up.

Woodrush restarted and with the travel weariness now brushed off decided to get back into the game. Both sides showed good skills and the defence of both teams was solid. The two Harry's-Barnard and Wells showing useful tackling skills. A long range kick by the Woodrush fly half put them well into the Shipston half. A clean take off the top of the lineout and quick play enabled the opposition winger to go over the Shipston try line for a well deserved try. The conversion was missed.

On the 22 minute mark Woodrush had the centre sin binned for a high tackle. The penalty awarded was not successful and the score remained at 7 – 5.

With Woodrush down to 14 men the home team tried many fast and good pieces of play using their excellent back line. Charlie Speechley, Joss Bird and Tom Morgan making the best of the one man advantage but Woodrush held their line. and at half time Shipston just had the advantage.

With some flashes of good play by both sides Shipston knocked and the ensuing advantage, gave the upper hand to Woodrush who ran in to score their second try under the posts. The full back kicked the conversion. The visitors lead 7-12at half time.

The second half saw both teams evenly matched a long range kick to touch from Tom Corby put Shipston on the front foot. The ever safe Jack Barnard took the ball cleanly at the lineout and good forward play sent the Shipston mual closer to the try line. At the last minute Will Says broke away and stepped over the line for a try. The missed conversion took the scores to 12 all.

Towards the end of the game 28mins into the second half saw some scrappy play on the far side of the pitch. With Shipston in disarray Woodrush went over in the corner for another try. From almost the touch line the kick was missed.

Shipston worked hard to keep the scores as they were but with Woodrush sensing victory and minutes left on the clock an infringement in front of the posts gave the Woodrush full back a kickable penalty. The final score 12- 20 to the visitors.

Shipston RUFC, who are always ready to put back into the community with various charity raising events, held a Ladies pink day the previous weekend. All funds from this well attended and much enjoyed lunch went to Cancer research. With a wonderful lunch prepared by Mary Sabin, Emma Barnard and Julie Morgan with some help from Chairman Nick Underwood and ever youthful President Roger Hawkins the Club were able to send a cheque in excess of £2000 to the charity. The Club Steward Brian Sabin said the the event had been well received by all who attended and future events were now being looked at to help other organisations in the community. “With all the local support and the welcoming and family nature of the Club and our excellent facilities we are proud to be able to hold functions like this to help others” he said.

NB. This match report was kindly done by Alasdair Elliott while I was away at a wedding.You probably would have guessed it wasn't by my hand anyway as Alasdair obviously had a far better eduction than me!!Thanks Alasdair!!
Can I just point out that next week it's just down the road at fast improving Southam-so lets get behind the lads and support them next Saturday and not to forget it's 2.15pm kick off's now folks!!!!GB