Verwood slip up at Arlesford
Feb
Alresford saw off a defiant Verwood team in the glorious weekend sunshine with a comfortable final score, but were made to work hard for their sixth league win of the season.
Verwood played with a man short from start to finish, and at times were playing with such determination it appeared they had two men extra. Alresford’s first half display was sloppy and poorly planned, and they were extremely lucky to concede just seven points.
Alresford held firm in the scrum and took most of the lineout ball, but despite all their possession could not string a meaningful move together to threaten the Verwood tryline. It was only through a penalty try on the stroke of half time that brought the home side back into the game, and with the scores level for the second half, Verwood’s numerical disadvantage began to show through.
Playing against the slope in the second half but with the low sun to their backs, Alresford began to make progress through a tired Verwood defence. Finally the moves began to work, and Pete ‘Jay’ Bremner ran in two tries in 10 minutes to give Alresford some breathing space. Ted Heppenstall added his second conversion and it seemed the home side were beginning to get on top of things. Verwood were not finished though, and as they threw everything into counter attacks it was desperate tackles from Martin Strong and Glenn Walsh which prevented Verwood from scoring.
The last 10 minutes of the game saw the visitors finally wilt, and Alresford were able to finish the match with an Ashley Vaughan try, after a scrum drive from the five yard line had Verwood pushed onto the tryline. Ady Cobb added a third conversion to take the score to a flattering level, but Verwood took the applause at the final whistle from all present with their gutsy display.
Arlesford 27 - Verwood 6
