Milton Keynes 8 - Witney 13
After the break and knowing what a tough venue Milton Keynes is, the lads
really needed to be at their best to come away with anything from the match,
they certainly weren’t anywhere near their best but somehow managed to come
away with two valuable League points. The less said about the first half the
better as Witney failed to set any platform and go through any of their plays
with much conviction. The home side scored one try and were the better side
in most phases of the game as Witney played in fits and starts and rarely
linked any cohesive moves together.
A stern interval team talk was in order and coaches Harper and Campbell
appeared to have done just that as Witney came out of the blocks in the
second half. Some good work from Carl Campbell set up good field position and
despite the referee doing his level best to get in the way, Witney broke down
the blind side. The home side gave away a penalty and skipper James Lamb
asked his brother Henry to kick for the corner. Hooker Sam Collins found
Charlie Bennett in the lineout and the forwards caught and drove with Collins
the scorer. Surely this was the catalyst for Witney to rise through the
gears ? Nope ! From the kick off Witney gave away a penalty and MK restored
their lead.
Witney slowly started to raise their games and the introduction of Tim Muller
gave them some impetus as the flanker put in a great tackle from the kick
off. Winger James Monks had one good run and skipper James Lamb put in a good
burst too but generally it was MK that still looked the better side and when
Owen Fowler was sin binned, it looked like the writing was on the wall. In
the end it was Witney that picked themselves up better during this ten minute
period and MK failed to ram home their numerical advantage, When Fowler
returned, the match was starting to swing Witneys way but someone needed to
produce something to get over the try line again. The moment of magic came
from winger James Monks who collected a kick on halfway and set off upfield.
A mixture of determined running and some ineffective tackling saw him romp
over for a great individual effort.
The last ten minutes saw the home side try and rescue the game but Witneys
tackling was good and no chances were created. Indeed, a late Tom Harper
penalty was the final score of the match and Witney came away victorious.
1st XV
Strutt, Collins(L), *Lamb(J), Strutt, Monks, Lamb(H), Bibby: Serle, Collins
(S), Richens, Fowler, Bennett, Caffekey, Campbell(C), Rowles
Repl: Kerr, Muller(Caffekey-45), Harper(H.Lamb-70)
VIEW FROM THE TOUCHLINE
Some enforced changes in the team and a long Christmas Break resulted in a
sub standard performance and the boys know they are unlikely to get away with
a similar effort in future weeks. I’m sure some graft in training this week
will get rid of those last mince pies and see the boys raise their games
again. That said, two points at MK is always a real bonus, so well done to
the boys, a cracking result to start 2010.
