Southam 76 - 5 Cheltenham North

On the run into Xmas, Southam started the day just two places above the visitors, who had Cheltenham North, this was the final game of the first half of the league season and Southam were looking to confirm their 5th place in the top half of the league.

Southam started well and soon winger Bench broke forward into the the CN 22, the ball was recycled and from a wide pass to wing forward Urbonas, he boshed his way through two defenders to score, converted by Grindal. Following a yellow card and a penalty for a dump tackle on hooker Deeming, captain Grindal kicked into the corner and from the lineout, Southam executed a tight catch and drive for Urbonas to get his his 2nd. CN then used the wind to stay in the Southam half, Southam defended well, with strong tackling from all, including a couple of big ones from 2nd row Catterall, held them, until Urbonas stepped out and intercepted to race 60m for try number 3. Southam were straight back down and forced the penalty, kicked for the corner and from the lineout another tidy catch & drive ended with prop Modestas touching down for the try. From the kickoff, Southam went through two phases and then an inside ball from fly half Hewson to new signing centre Monroe, saw him cut through the CN defence on the halfway line and he just had enough gas to stay in front of the chasing defence to score under the posts, converted by Grindal. CN snatched one try back just on the half.
HT 29 - 5

Five minutes into the second half Urbonas picked up from a drop out stepped all the way through the CN pack for try number 4. Southam kept up the pressure and from another drop out Monroe picked up a scrappy ball and bulldozed his way through the CN pack to break out in to open space for his second try. Southam were then yellow carded twice and CN tried to take advantage, but Southam held on and forced their way up the pitch and a shallow cross kick from Hewson was well taken under pressure by Bench, who the beat 3 defenders and used his weight to drag the last defender over with him for the try.
Southam scored again from their own half with winger Hooker gathering a long pass from replacement centre King and then making 50m all the way to the CN 5m before a nice lay off to the supporting Grindal to score and then convert his own try. The try of the match came from full back Doods who collected the ball in his own 22 and then set off down the pitch, stepped 3 defenders to touch down under the posts for a 75m try, converted by Grindal.
Southam finished off the game with another try, Monroe took the ball from the kick off, dummied and stepped the CN pack, cut back to feed King, on an incisive run, who raced on, drew the full back and fed Hewson for the final try, converted by Grindal.

An high scoring and entertaining game for the large Xmas crowd and Southam head into the second part of the season in 5th place on 33 points with the team looking strong and confident for future games.

Next Games:-

Jan 2 - Cup - Midlands Senior Vase (Round 3) - Home v Dunstablians KO 2.15
Jan 9th - League - Away v Harbury KO 2.15