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arnbury Hornets 29 – 23 Scunthorpe 3rd XV

On Saturday 4th September Yarnbury 2nd XV started their league season with a home fixture against Scunthorpe 3rd XV. The team that was selected had a good mix of youth and experience The back line made up in the majority by players that were playing colts rugby last term including debutants Daniel Pound at 10 and Jack Moglia in the centre. The forwards had a more familiar look with Hornets stalwart Wayne Butterfiled at 8 captaining the side with the rest of the pack having 1st XV caps in previous campaigns.

The Hornets started the game on the front foot, moving the ball around at will in the early season sunshine. It didn’t take long for them to register the first points of the game. Good ball secured by the pack was moved quickly by Alex Crowther at scrum half, Jack Moglia got the ball in his hands in the centre and showed his potential for the season by cutting a good line, side stepping the fullback before outpacing the cover defence to score the try. Daniel Pound added the extras to make the score 7-0 within the first 10 minutes.

There were to be no further tries in the first half with the referee having a large influence on the pattern of play. Scunthorpe were awarded three penalties on the 22 metre line directly in front of the posts, all of which were duly converted. This before the impressive Daniel Pound added three points to the Hornets tally to make the half time score 10-9. Whilst the scoreline was not flattering the Yarnbury side could reflect on a job well done in the first half. The forwards had restricted Scunthorpe opportunities particularly from the lineout where the combinations of the Burrows brothers Ian and Mark, Alex Postle and latterly Chris Wray had looked superbly well drilled. Their play in the loose was also excellent, busy flanker Andrew Van Heel seemed to be everywhere continually turning ball over that he had no right to do so. Enforcers Phil Wray and Jamie Garbutt were relishing the physical battle in the front row and were more than holding their own against larger opposition.

As in the first half the Hornets grabbed the first score of the second period. In contrast to their fist try this one was scored from close range. After structured phases of forward play making yards around the breakdown, James Daffern was the man who got his hands on the ball at the base of a ruck and had the presence of mind to go over the top of the fringe defence to score. Daniel Pound again converting to extend the Hornets lead to 17-9.

As the half progressed the Yarnbury backs came more into the game. Probing for gaps and returning kicks with attacking intent. Steve Foster was making yards with barracking charges up the middle and both Russ Gommersal and Adam Corcoran on the wings were unlucky to be adjudged in touch when rounding the last defender.

Yarnbury didn’t however have it all their own way and were reminded of the danger the Scunthorpe side posed when allowed to run with the ball. A couple of missed tackles in the midfield and the try was scored. With the conversion added the score was now 17-16, very much game on. A harsh lesson for the young Yarnbury backline, but one which they will have to learn quickly if they are to be successful in this league.

The Hornets took this setback in the right way and used it as motivation to kick on and score more points themselves. Alex Clarke bagged the next score from full back with an elusive run down the right wing after being fed by Russ Gomersall. It was no more than Clarke deserved after beating three defenders on his way to the line and showing plenty of speed. He was also astute enough to come in under the posts to make Pound’s conversion easier 24-16.

Yarnbury’s final try of the game fittingly went to Daniel Pound. A try of his own making. In the Scunthorpe 22 he received the ball from Crowther and when it looked like he had few options threw an audacious dummy which was bought by the whole Scunthorpe defence and proceeded to wriggle through the tightest of gaps to score. Unfortunately he could only hit the post when attempting to convert his own try but would finish the day with an impressive personal haul of 14 points with the score now 29-16.

From this point the Hornets looked to see out the remainder of the game. Pound kicked the corners impeccably and there was time for substitute Craig Barker to put in a commendable cameo appearance in the back row coming off the bench late on.

Scunthorpe did manage another converted try on the final whistle but by this time the result was beyond doubt. Worryingly the try was again the result of missed tackles, a trend that the team will have to address if they do not want to continue to concede tries on a regular basis. Final score 29-23.

All in all a good performance and a good victory with positive aspects to be built upon and also areas identified for work on the training paddock.

J Garbutt

M Burrows

P Wray (**55)

A Postle

I Burrows (*30)

J Daffern

A Van Heel

W Butterfield

A Crowther

D Pound

R Gomersall

S Foster

J Moglia (***70)

A Corcorran

A Clarke

C Wray (*30)

I Shannon (**55)

C Barker (***70)

A Blackburn

S Boatwright