Sutton Benger entertaining Westbury for the first time in a few seasons, was a pressure fixture for the home side. With two successive losses Benger needed the win to move away from the bottom half of the table. But Westbury have had two very good away wins disposing of both Calne and Pewsey Vale, so its going to be a tough old game.

And tough it was, but a good team defensive performance particularly in the last quarter saw Harry Taylor’s two penalty kicks despatch Westbury down the A350 thinking how close they came to snatch the victory in the closing seconds. However, Benger’s rugged tackling hold Westbury out and take the 5 points from the match winning by 37-33. Westbury collecting two points for their five tries and the losing bonus.

Benger started the first half well and had secured the try bonus in the first 40 minutes from tries from skipper Ryan Parry, two from new boy and Man of the Match winger Joe Parkes and Matt ‘Killer’ Baker diving over spectacularly with a one-handed catch. Matt was on fire with his catching this afternoon, which made his dad very proud, and his team mates pleasantly surprised.

Westbury kept in touch with Benger in the first half, scoring three tries themselves. The best was their second following Benger’s restart, an end-to-end good hands and support, to draw level 12-12 at 31 minutes. The first half was extended after some long injury attention to Benger no 6 Cal Harford, who ultimately needed to withdraw and to Benger no 9 Rob Wasddington. But half time did come round, and Benger were 24-19 up.

The third quarter was nearly all Westbury’s, despite a missed penalty kick, they scored two tries of their own to gain both the advantage. and, their try bonus and were looking good at a 24-33 lead. Benger had hardly bothered the visitors 22 in that period.

But that changed with Benger’s fifth try. A penalty kick to the home side and Harry Taylor’s kick from hand for touch failed to cross the touchline. And a freakish bounce fell perfectly for Benger’s other winger no 11 Lewis King following up had a simple dab over, Harry added his third conversion, and at 60 minutes its 31-33 to Westbury. But this try energised Benger’s attack.

From the restart and after two penalties against Westbury, Harry steps up within range for a penalty attempt. Flying straight through and Benger are back in the lead 34-33. Mistakes by both sides are unfortunate, but it’s a one point game so great effort by all thirty players keen to win in the dying stages. One Westbury error at the 76 minute gives a penalty to Benger. And again within range Harry steps up for another penalty kick attempt to pull further away. The Benger spectators were cheering as this kick sailed over. 37-33 means Westbury need more than a penalty themselves.

And they throw everything at the Benger line for the last few phases but are unable to break the D-line. Stealing a line out ball Benger get it out to Harry who closes the match with a kick to touch.

Benger win 37-33, five good tries, fine kicking from the tee by Harry, three conversions and two penalties. And not relinquishing the lead in the dying minutes, the Lads in Pink were mighty pleased to celebrate in their Lederhosen at the post match OktoberFest. The victory did come with some injuries, Cal and MotM Joe both retiring through some big knocks. So its’s a good thing that we are on a two week break before resuming fixtures with an away match at fifth placed Bradford on Avon on Saturday 8th November. Hopefully everyone will be fit for selection, once we have passed Halloween and Bonfire Night.