Match Report 1 March 2008
Avonvale 1st XV 48 Bradford on Avon 2nd XV 0
Team Sheet
- Geoff Dyson
- John Crabbe
- Steve Grant
- Simon Harris
- Jerome Blanche
- James Allard
- Joe Vowles
- Jamie Smith
- Jason Russell
- Alan Hobbs
- Dan Ryan-Lowes
- Steven Bath
- Alex Fereday
- Chris Cooper
- Steve Hunt
Replacements
Mark Allen; Shaun Russell; Ben Sparks; Rob Fitch; Dave Johnson
Scorers
Bath - 2 Tries
Fereday - 2 Tries
Ryan-Lowes - 2 Tries
Sparks - 1 Try
Fitch - 1 Try
Hobbs - 3 Conv
Ryan-Lowes - 1 Conv
With a handful of Vale's youngsters rested for their cup encounter the following day, a number of forced changes saw an unsteady start to this entertaining Dorset & Wilts 3 (West) match at Bathford.
Late availability changes forced debutant prop Geoff Dyson into the starting line-up whilst utility player Dan Ryan-Lowes found himself away from his usual hooker or flanker position with a place on the wing. Despite numerous errors from the start it was clear that Vale were the stronger side and the occasional exciting passage of rugby often resulted in a home team score. It was Ryan-Lowes who first made his mark; weaving between players to make a decisive break and collecting the final pass of the move to cross in the corner. Further tries came from Fereday, bursting onto an excellently executed move involving forwards and backs to touch down between the posts, and Bath; who evaded two tackles to make room for a long race to the line. A further Fereday solo effort completed the half with Hobbs adding two conversions to lead 24-0 at the break.
Bradford turned around with a strong wind behind them and tried to make use of it early in the second period, though Fereday, now called upon to take over at full back, made no mistake in taking the catches cleanly and set up attacking moves from the possession. This resulted in a change of game plan from the visitors and Vale were able to capitalise on the extra pressure caused.
Despite holding firm for some time, Bradford eventually failed to stop another weaving run from Bath who picked up a lose ball and found enough openings between the mass of forwards to double his tally. Replacement Sparks followed suit by escaping some unconvincing tackling and burst through for the home side's sixth. With time running out, Vale's defence held firm as Bradford attempted to find an opportunity for some consolation points and a second try for Ryan-Lowes showed that they had no intention of relaxing. Bradford once more pushed for a score but Vale's forwards turned the ball over from a ruck and set replacement Fitch away for a long burst to the line which he completed successfully, gaining the final try beneath the posts.
As a reward for his versatility, Ryan-Lowes was given the final kick of the game to round off a much improved team performance in the second half.
Vale now have a three week break from league action but plan to entertain Frome 4ths at Bathford next Saturday and travel to Dorchester the following week for a mini-tour. A match has also been arranged for Good Friday (21st March) when Dartfordians visit as part of their Easter tour. The next league fixture is on March 29th when Wincanton visit Bathford.