Match Report 1 September 2007
Avonvale 1st XV 23 Crewkerne 1st XV 14
Team Sheet
- Steve Grant
- John Crabbe (Capt)
- Matt Hegerty
- Lee Zurybida
- Danny Witts
- Joel Bunting
- Sam Sparks
- Ben Sparks
- Jason Russell
- Gareth Neate (VC)
- Matt Timbrell
- Louis Cart
- Dan Ryan-Lowes
- Richard Furnival
- Steve Harding
Replacements
Damian Biswell; Shawn Russell; Lee Fudge; David Johnson
Scorers
Furnival – 1 try, 2 Pens, 1 Conv
Harding – 1 try,
Johnson – 1 try
Avonvale’s first home outing of the season was entered into positively, following a successful and well attended pre-season training. The first half was a physical affair with Avonvale securing the majority of the possession and territory, but struggling to capitalize beyond a converted penalty. Following the award of a penalty in Crewkerne’s 22, Avonvale were then punished for a lapse of concentration when the visitors ran the ball the length of the pitch for a try under the posts - the conversion left the half time score at 3 – 7.
The second half saw Shawn Russell replacing Joel Bunting and Lee Fudge coming on in the second row for Lee Zurybida. The start of the half saw a concerted effort from Crewkerne which resulted in a try being run in by the Centres. The conversion was successful, but Avonvale chose not to let their heads drop and re-asserted themselves in the field. Through sterling driving from the debutant Sparks brothers and punishing tackling from Steve Harding and Louis Cart, the home side secured significant amounts of possession and were able to translate this into points through a scything cross field run by Rich Furnival, and a Gareth Neate chip chased and touched down by Steve Harding.
The final 20 minutes saw Damian Biswell and David Johnson on for Matt Timbrell and Jason Russell. Johnson made his mark shortly afterwards by taking a pop pass from a penalty in Crewkerne’s 22 and touching down under the posts; the conversion from Furnival secured the victory.
This was a hard fought and well deserved victory against higher league opposition, which bodes well for the forthcoming season.