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Page Last Updated: 07/10/2008
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Wandsworthians 26 – 19 Lightwater
A focussed and ready Wandsworthians side turned up on a changeable day to pack down against Lighwater’s heavyweight forwards. The encounter was one of end to end rugby with sustained periods of pressure and dominance from both outfits. The quality of our rugby in patches gave us the game.
The match began well with some good pressure but then quickly turned. The Lightwater forwards punched their way into and through our 22 with sustained momentum. Their force eventually led their main threat juggernaught to bowl over for an early try.
They say the mark of a good team is how they respond to being behind, by that marker we are a very good team.
Heads came back on and we began to play to our strengths. The backs bashed through their line well and were supported by the forwards at every turn. Despite being under significant pressure in the scrum, Edd Groves and Ross Haddow kept the ball on our side and alive. This gave a platform for forwards and backs combinations with good running lines and positions being adopted. This pressure gave Ben Phillip the opportunity to go over for the first and Phil “Squatter“ Waugh put over the first of some excellent kicks.
We maintained this pressure well and were playing some very good rugby in places, running around the big forwards and through the backline. Our fitness is and was a credit to our coaches and testament to the commitment shown by some at training. Before the whistle for half time went we put pressure on a Lightwater scrum and some quick thinking put Ross in to pick up on the scraps left by Lightwater’s 9-10 partnership indecision.
Half time and the Dubs were up but now going up the slope.
We continued to put pressure on after half time, although there were times when we were forced to defend strongly. Some good lineout throwing by Rob Langham gave us secure possession which was capitalised upon again by Ross, following good hands and running lines by a number of players. The purple patches continued for most of the second half with sustained pressure running the legs out of the opposition with just a slight inability to cross the line as much as deserved.
Despite a yellow card for Edd Groves following a ‘late’ tackle, this pressure continued and we were rewarded for our efforts again. This time Dom Brockes, who was first to most breakdowns, powering over following a good team move. The pressure patch was broken after a yellow for our prop Lee Mason and one of their’s, although the scrum held well in places.
With victory assured we let our feet of the gas a little and conceded to late tries. One from some good running by Lightwater and the other for a scrum that was over before it began and should have been reset. These scores still saw us take a deserved victory in a hard fought match and secure important points in the league. It is important we play as hard and with vigour in the game ‘away’ at Economicals on Saturday.
Match Verdict by Ash Ali: Great in parts.
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