Rugby
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Gloucestershire U20 27, Dorset & Wilts U20 0
Rugby: Dorset & Wiltshire travelled deep into the Forest of Dean to play Gloucestershire at Lydney RFC expecting a tough encounter and they left empty handed.
The much fancied Gloucestershire side, with a high percentage of National Divisional clubs represented, were given much to think about from a young Dorset & Wiltshire side that competed on level terms throughout and played some outstanding rugby.
Straight from the kick off Dorset & Wiltshire dominated the early exchanges with a series of good driving mauls and solid scrums. However, a tenacious Gloucestershire defence eventually managed to turn the ball over to relieve the early pressure. Gloucestershire then started to put their own stamp on the game with some powerful forward surges and from a line out close to the Dorset & Wiltshire line expertly drove over for an unconverted try after 10 minutes.
From the restart, Dorset & Wiltshire regained possession and moved the ball wide to the right, but faced a solid midfield. From the resulting ruck 30 metres out, Gloucestershire were penalised, but the penalty attempt by Dorset & Wiltshire's Olly Linton just failed.
Over the next 15 minutes Dorset & Wiltshire began to dominate the set pieces and broken play, but found the Gloucestershire defence hard to break down. Both sides were intent on moving the ball wide when possible making the game fast and enjoyable for both sets of supporters.
Gloucestershire No 8 John Hennessy then made the first of two telling breaks into the heart of the Dorset & Wiltshire defence who struggled to bring him down and from an infringement at the ruck Gloucestershire kicked a simple penalty. Shortly after from another passage of controlled forward play, Gloucestershire won a series of rucks to score their second unconverted try wide out.
Just before half time Dorset & Wiltshire were awarded another penalty opportunity which again went agonisingly just wide.
Half time score Gloucestershire 13 - Dorset & Wiltshire 0
The second half went much the same way as the first. Gloucestershire were able to deny Dorset & Wiltshire regular quick ball making attacking options difficult. Fly half Cameron Brown launched a series of attacks bringing in the centres and full back in an attempt to break down the resilient solid defence. Gloucestershire were forced to defend for long periods as first Dorset & Wiltshire full back Karim Lynch and then wingers Linton and Charlie Parrish made a series of threatening attacks.
Both teams continued to play attacking rugby and competition at the breakdowns continued to be fierce. Dorset & Wiltshire second row Sam Pailor and open side flanker Sean Barwick were outstanding throughout as they put in a series of big tackles.
Ten minutes into the second half, Gloucestershire fly half Tony Wicks received the ball from a line out and neatly chipped to the right corner where winger Hawkins managed to dive on the ball just as it was about to go into touch. A magnificent conversion brought the score to 20 - 0
Far from giving in, Dorset & Wiltshire upped their game and made a number of thrilling attacks down the flanks. With a series of substitutions by Dorset & Wiltshire, Linton moved to full back and immediately made an impact only being denied a score by a desperate tackle from the Gloucestershire full back. Moments later, Ben Loosemore broke up the wing in front of the grandstand but a scoring opportunity was lost as the link pass went behind the supporting player.
With 5 minutes to go Gloucestershire scored their final converted try as Dorset & Wiltshire began to run out of steam.
Final score Gloucestershire 27 - Dorset & Wiltshire 0
Dorset & Wiltshire Head Coach Paul Ninnim said:
"I suspect that Gloucestershire expected an easy afternoon, but quickly realised that we meant business. I spoke to the Gloucestershire coaches afterwards who acknowledged that this was by far the hardest game they had had all season.
I am delighted with the performance of our young side who gave everything they had, but were ultimately beaten by a team with a little more experience and organisation.
Two thirds of this squad is available to play under 20 rugby next season, and the experience they have gained during this campaign will make us even stronger, what a prospect!"
Dorset & Wilts team:
Nick Farrant (Devizes RFC) Sean Murphey (Wimborne RFC) Ashton Price (Wimborne RFC) Nick Morris (Salisbury RFC) Sam Pailor (Swindon RFC) Angus Hogg (Salisbury RFC) Jared Sharman (Wimborne RFC ) Sean Barwick (Salisbury RFC) Nick Hill (Bridport RFC) Cameron Brown (Swindon RFC ) Olly Linton (Dauntseys School) Ben Loosemore (Swindon RFC) Rob Collis (Devizes RFC) Charlie Parish (Swanage & Wareham RFC) Karim Lynch (Wimborne RFC)
Replacements
Tom Wilson (Bournemouth RFC) Mike Errington (Bournemouth RFC) Steve Rich (Wootten Bassett RFC) Ted Stagg (Cleve RFC & Bath Academy) Dan Lock (Devizes RFC) James Fox (North Dorset RFC) Chris Lewis (Devizes RFC)
9:10am Tuesday 15th April 2008
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