Match Report 9 February 2008
Avonvale 1st XV 6 Combe Down 2nd XV 3
Team Sheet
- Mark Allen
- John Crabbe (Capt)
- Dave Burnett
- Sam Sparks
- James Allard
- Shawn Russell
- Joe Vowles
- Ben Sparks
- Jason Russell
- Rob Fitch
- James Cottle
- Steven Bath
- Alex Fereday
- Cory Bourne
- Gareth Neate
Replacements
Danny Witts, Andrew Ball, Dave Johnson, Steve Hunt, Chris Cooper, Alan Hobbs
Scorers
Fitch - 2 Conv
Avonvale continued their journey towards Dorset & Wilts 3 (West) championship status with an unattractive but well deserved victory over local rivals Combe Down.
For the third time this season the Vale found themselves involved in a 1st v 2nd clash and this time their opponents came with a chance of claiming the title had they managed to take the points. However Vale had other ideas and despite finding their visitors proving the stronger of the two packs, the home side held firm and scraped the victory they needed to keep their 100% league record intact.
Down started the match with intent to spoil the party and won plenty of ball from the scrum and line-out, a trait that was to continue for much of the game. Vale backs had to make the best of very little ball and found themselves providing defence for much of the first half. A penalty for joining the ruck from the side on the edge of the 22 gave Combe Down the early advantage and the 3 points should have been doubled just before the interval when an easier penalty struck the upright and fell fortunately into an Avonvale players hands.
The interval saw Vale make one change in the pack, bringing on lock Danny Witts to provide fresh legs amongst the tired front 5 and it was a break by the newcomer from inside his own half that eventually led to Avonvales first opportunity, the Down captain Paul Lunt penalised for going over the top and fly half Fitch slotting the difficult kick to level.
Despite the even scoreline it was the visitors who threatened to cross the try line but the stern Vale defence kept them at bay time and time again and wing forward Shaun Russell took two turn-over plays in succession to ease the pressure at a crucial stage of the game. Vale managed to progress upfield courtesy of some further Down indiscipline and some accurate kicking from Fitch and when a high ball was floated into the 22, the pressure from the Avonvale forwards forced their visitors to collapse a maul in line with the posts to enable Fitch to claim the 3 points.
Down finished the game the stronger and had another penalty chance narrowly missed in the dying minutes and Vale held firm for long enough to seal the victory.