AVONVALE RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB

Dorset & Wilts Division 3 (West) Champions 2007/2008

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Match Report 16 February 2008

Cooper Avon 3rd XV 0 Avonvale 1st XV  103

 Team Sheet

  1. Steve Grant                                                           
  2. Mark Allen                                             
  3. Jamie Smith
  4. Danny Witts
  5. James Allard
  6. Leon Chignell
  7. Tim Burnett
  8. Ben Sparks
  9. Jason Russell
  10. Gareth Neate
  11. Chris Cooper
  12. Steven Bath
  13. Alan Hobbs
  14. Cory Bourne
  15. Alex Fereday

Replacements

Paul Richardson; Jerome Blanche; Lee Fudge; Ray Smart

Scorers

Bath - 5 Tries

Cooper - 4 Tries

Sparks - 2 Tries

Fereday - 1 Try

Hobbs - 1 Try

Chignell - 1 Try

Russell - 1 Try

Hobbs - 13 Conv

Smart - 1 Conv

Needing just a draw to secure the league title, Avonvale made no mistake against their Melksham hosts as they ran in 15 tries without reply in an entertaining display of grass roots rugby. Vale didn’t have everything their way though and struggled to secure lineout ball most of the afternoon due to the absence of both their first and second choice hookers. Full Back Alex Fereday was first to break the home defence, touching down between the posts for the first of six tries for the backs in the first period, centre Steve Bath chipping in with a hat-trick and wing Chris Cooper two before Number 8 Ben Sparks forced his way over for his first just before the half-time whistle. With centre Alan Hobbs converting all 7 Vale took a commanding 49-0 lead into the break but didn’t relax in the second half despite making changes in the forwards.

The second half started as the first had finished with Sparks doubling his tally, before Bath and Cooper added two more each and wing-forward Leon Chignell, Scrum Half Jason Russell and Hobbs each touched down. Hobbs continued his good form with the boot missing only one attempt all match and Vale even rewarded veteran replacement Ray Smart with the final kick of the game. Club Coach Andrew Ball said this was a pleasing result from a team in very good form but praised Cooper Avon for never letting their heads drop and battling for consolation points right up to the final whistle.

Avonvale’s next league fixture is on March 3rd when they entertain Bradford on Avon at the Crown Field, Bathford.

 

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