1st XV
Matches
Sat 22 Oct 2016  ·  Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier
Slough RFC
1st XV
Tries: R King (2), E Jensen, A Allen, R Amos, J Flisher, C TurnerConversions: J Jones (4)Penalties: J Jones
46
20
Hungerford
Slough v Hungerford

Slough v Hungerford

Mary Blumbergs24 Oct 2016 - 08:22
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Slough beat league leaders Hungerford in first win of the season...

The game was kicked off by Charlie Turner, captain for the day as club captain Max Miles was, once again, at another wedding.

After a few phases of play the ball was kicked over the Slough defence and winger Curtis Blanchard covered back and scooped up the ball. Curtis then showed us his ball skills with a nice pass to Aaron Bryant, No 8 for today, who charged down the right flank beating 2 defenders before popping the ball inside to Charlie Turner who drew another defender and the ball was moved to Rhys Amos who then tried a Sonny Bill esque out-the-back pass which unluckily didn't go to hand and the move came to a halt. A bright start from the Greenies.

Slough were then awarded a penalty, central to the pitch but 40 metres out. Jack Jones stepped up but got under the ball a tad and it dropped short just under the crossbar.

Jack Jones then popped up in the centre of the pitch and found some space in behind the Hungerford defence with a perfectly weighted grubber kick which the fullback had to kick out. Slough lineout 10 metres from the Hungerford line. Pressure was building...

The lineout then resulted in a Slough penalty which was, once again, kicked to the corner. Good arrows from Charlie Spiller, playing at hooker today, who was 3/3 so far with his lineout throws. However the ball was lost in the maul and Hungerford cleared their lines.

After some good play by Slough in the Hungerford 22, a free kick was given to Slough, 5 metres out. Slough opted for the scrum however Hungerford were able to clear, straight to Kinter Zvokunzwa who made a nice 25 metre return before getting tackled. The ball made its way into the midfield where Craig Fullicks sold dreams to the Hungerford defender with a beautiful dummy and burst through the gap. Unfortunately Craig then decided to hold the ball in one hand and lost the ball in contact, a school boy error.

Although Slough had been in the Hungerford half for a good 20 minutes they were missing the clinical edge. This proved costly as Hungerford were awarded a penalty in the Slough half, which was missed. From the resulting 22 drop out, Slough opted for a short drop out to try and retain the ball but it was lost and Hungerford then scored to the right of the posts after a quick tap penalty. (0-5)

Slough needed a reaction and fast. Heads did not drop and the Greenies were back piling on the pressure in the Hungerford half. A kick over Slough heads looked troubling but Tom Young was back to cover. He scooped the ball up, outpaced the approaching defender and smashed the ball down the field. The Hungerford fullback failed to collect the hall cleanly and as Tom Young tackled him, Rhys Amos was able to rip the ball and put Slough back onto the front foot. Some excellent play by the 9 and 12.

Quick ball from the breakdown went wide to Kinter Zvokunzwa who managed to offload the ball to Rob King with a terrific supporting line and run the ball under the sticks. Converted by Jack Jones (7-5)

The Hungerford 12 made a break from his own 22 and made it to the halfway line when the attack was thwarted by Charlie Turner with an interception. It was a straight race between Charlie and the covering defender for the line but he was caught and in his attempt to pass to the supporting Rhys Amos, the ball was knocked on by a Hungerford hand unintentionally. Scrum Slough on the Hungerford 5.

Some good hands from the base of the scrum saw the ball work its way out to the deadly Curtis Blanchard, who instead of going for the corner decided to cut back inside and the ball was lost.

A few plays later, Colby Short threw an outrageous basketball style pass which went to ground and was hacked through by Hungerford. Curtis was covering back and a good clear out by Craig 'the enforcer' Fullicks allowed Jack Jones to step in and box kick the ball to safety.

Slough then won a lineout against the head. Good hands by the whole Slough team allowed Charlie Turner some space to nudge the ball through, with no one home the race was on. A covering Hungerford player hacked the ball clear. But in fact it was not clear, it flew through the air and an outstretched Ed 'giraffe' Jensen climbed 9feet and caught the ball, steaming under the posts for his first try of the season. Just what Slough needed. Converted by Jack Jones. (14-5)

From the kick off Garry Belson made a break, powering past defenders from his own 22 and into the Hungerford half. The ball was popped to Aaron Bryant who continued the charge. An infringement from a Hungerford player awarded Slough a penalty which Jack Jones duly converted. (17-5)

That was the end of Belson’s afternoon as his hamstring was well and truly finished. So it was on the beer for Belson and onto the pitch for James Flisher.

Just before half time Hungerford had a few minutes of pressure on the Slough line, a huge double hit from Tilby and Aaron was not enough to stop the Hungerford attack and good hands allowed them to score. Conversion missed (17-10)

HALFTIME - a good 40 minutes of rugby was on display for the crowd at the home of the Greenies but could the lads hold out the narrow margin vs table-topping Hungerford.

Replacement Alex Allen on for Curtis Blanchard

The second half began and good strong running from the forwards, in particular Big Ben Ambrose and James Flisher, allowed Slough to maintain their pressure

A nice set piece move from the away team allowed the 15 to run through a massive gap and although Tom Young made a big tackle the ball was popped up and the Hungerford player had a walk under the posts. Not what the crowd or players wanted. (17-15)

James Flisher was able to catch the kick off and fend off a couple of players into the Hungerford 22. The Slough backs were now taking advantage of the space in behind the Hungerford defence and a chip through by Tom Young was dropped. The pack then produced a huge shove to win the ball on the front foot which allowed winger and debutant Alex Allen to go over in the corner after a nice step and fend past his opposite man. Conversion missed (22-15)

Ed Jensen received the kick off and straight away made a break, offloading to Aaron Bryant who used his pace and flew down the centre of the pitch. He then stepped the fullback and was running into Robbie’s corner passed the home fans but unfortunately tripped up! 10 meters out. It looked a certain try. I asked Aaron after the game what happened. He explained how he was thinking about his DAB celebration and his legs forgot how to work, that was a lot to process for a forward.

Slough were awarded a penalty 40 metres out and a lovely kick by Jack Jones got Slough into the Hungerford 5. Lineout won and quick hands allowed Rhys Amos the opportunity to get on the score sheet with a nice try. Conversion Jack Jones (29-15)

A quick tap penalty was taken and the ball found its way to the Hungerford winger and it look like a certain try. Until Charlie 'Lawes' Turner came in with a huge hit to put the winger well and truly into touch. Tackle of the game. Unfortunately the lineout was lost and Hungerford scored an easy try. (29-20)

With Hungerford still in the game Slough had to shore up their defence and take any chance that came their way. And James Flisher duly obliged and scored a try after a mistake from the Hungerford winger which led to a Slough scrum 5 metres out.
Conversion missed...again (34-20)

A horrendous judo style flip tackle on our 5ft4 scrum half Tom Young saw a member of the Hungerford front row red carded. Truly deserved. Luckily Tom was okay and able to continue.

Slough were awarded a penalty however the kick to touch went dead and from the Hungerford scrum Slough won the ball. A big run by No 8 James Flisher drew in a few defenders, the ball was then passed to Rob King who in turn found Charlie Turner who took it over for another try. Conversion...SCORED (41-20)

Hungerford now needing a quick score with not long left dropped the ball 45 metres from their own line. Rob King scooped the ball up and made a run for the line, with 3 defenders closing him down and the crowd screaming for him to run faster. The 35 year old veteran managed to score, and put the game to bed with no way back for top of the league Hungerford. (46-20)

The full time whistle sounded and the Greenies finally had their first win of the season, well and truly deserved after an excellent display.

Attack-wise the lads had that cutting edge today and were able to finish their chances which we have struggled to do so far this season.

Next week we play local rivals Phoenix away, and with players returning from weddings and injuries the coaches have a very tough choice in team selection. Hopefully we will see plenty of the Slough faithful at the Phoenix game as the team look for a second victory.

Try-scorers: Rob King x2 ,Charlie Turner, Rhys Amos, James Flisher, Alex Allen, Ed Jensen
Conversions: Jack Jones x4
Penalty: Jack Jones

MOTM - Rhys Amos
DOTD - Aaron Bryant

Joe Sole - now 2nd team centre

Match details

Match date

Sat 22 Oct 2016

Kickoff

15:00

Competition

Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier

League position

1
Hungerford
9
Slough
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Secondary Sponsor - Gradewell