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WIMBORNE
RUGBY CLUB Ltd
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Senior
Match Reports & Photos - Season 2010 / 2011
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All Wimborne RFC Senior Sides Match Reports & Photos will appear on this page, as and when they are available Saturday
16th April 2011 As surely as the sun sinks in the west there was a similar sense of inevitability as Wimborne bade farewell to South West One with a defeat at the hands of Reading Abbey, whose success resulted in their avoiding the drop into Southern Counties. The match opened with Abbey camped in the Wimborne half for long periods and only some desperate defence kept the home line intact. Two successive line out steals enabled Wimborne to move out of the danger zone but after 20 minutes the inevitable happened as Abbey moved the ball wide to the left for their speedy left winger to outpace the defence and score in the corner. Play continued mainly in the home half but the visitors were unable to add to their lead until the thirty-fifth minute when Abbey after winning several phases on the left, moved the ball inside and went through a couple of ineffective tackles to score a converted try under the posts. Deep into time added for stoppages the visitors added another seven points when following some confusion as to the referee's decision, their scrum half alertly took a quick kick and went over unopposed. Wimborne opened the second half well and were quickly rewarded when fast ball from a ruck was sped along the line to the left where Phil Andrews made a long run before being tackled but he managed to get the ball away to Jim Brokenshire who scored in the corner. Although now enjoying long periods of pressure Wimborne seldom looked like scoring as the determined Abbey defence held firm. The visitors regained their advantage with a break up the right hand side and some good backing up led to a try under the posts. For the remainder of the match Wimborne played some of their best rugby of the game as they tried to narrow the gap. As the game went into added time Abbey were forced to concede five successive penalties to leave the referee with no option but to issue a yellow card. With the numerical advantage Wimborne attacked in force and eventually Sean Murphy scored a try on the left to bring the curtain down on a disappointing season. Wimborne 1st XV: Jack Green, Sean Murphy, Andy Unwin, Russell Tinsdale, Charles Roberts, George Wareham, Declan Francis, Steve King, Ryan Maidment, Jay Van Wyk, Phil Andrews, Nick Bolton, Jim Brokenshire, James Mikolajewski, Gavin Maltman, Kevin Busby, Sam Tucker, Jason Llwellyn Match Reporter: Green Acres
Saturday
9th April 2011 A young Wimborne fifteen were outclassed by a very efficient Reading team at Holme Park on Saturday as the home team took every chance offered and scored nine tries en route to a comfortable victory. Reading opened the match in storming fashion and scored three converted tries in the first quarter of an hour, each one following a Wimborne error and swift counter attack. The only riposte from the visitors in this spell was a penalty goal by James Mikolajewski. Wimborne settled down, and for the remainder of the first half exerted pressure on the Reading defence with young centre Nick Bolton making several telling breaks. This pressure eventually told when at a Reading line out five metres out Charles Roberts stole the opposition throw and brought the ball down to form a driving maul. The ball was smuggled to Russell Tinsdale, playing in the second row, who drove over the line for an unconverted try. The second half opened in much the same fashion as the first with three tries in the first fifteen minutes. There the similarity ended as Reading continued to press and scored more tries at regular intervals with good support play and slick passing punishing any Wimborne mistakes. Wimborne did manage to score one try when Nick Horne who had been moved from the wing to centre following an injury, set up James Mikolajewski who barrelled over in the corner for an unconverted try. Wimborne 1st XV: Jack Green, Sean Murphy, Andy Unwin, Russell Tinsdale, Charles Roberts, George Wareham, Declan Francis, Rob Hay, Ryan Maidment, Chris Perry, Nick Horne, Steve King, Nick Bolton, James Mikolajewski, Gavin Maltman, Kevin Busby, Sam Tucker, Dan Oliver Match Reporter: Green Acres
Saturday
26th March 2011 Wimborne welcomed back second row forward Jamie Hawkings for his first match of the season at Leigh Park on Saturday but he was forced to withdraw with a shoulder injury after half an hour. At the opening kick-off a Buckingham forward made a clean catch but was immediately tackled by Hawkings. This set up a good field position for Wimborne and enabled them to exert early pressure and take the lead after five minutes with a Mikolajewski penalty. Wimborne continued to dominate the exchanges but were unable to increase their lead until Mikolajewski kicked another penalty after twenty minutes. From the ensuing kick-off, a Wimborne clearing kick was charged down to put the visitors on the attack and they were rewarded with a penalty goal after twenty-five minutes. Buckingham were now camped deep in Wimborne territory and with home flanker Declan Francis in the sin bin, scored two tries in quick succession to take fifteen points to six lead. From the kick off Wimborne went straight back onto the offence and some forceful forward play led to prop Jack Green going over wide out. However Buckingham quickly responded with an excellent converted try following on from some superb handling and support play to give the visitors a twenty two points to eleven half time lead. Early in the second half Wimborne were again reduced to fourteen men when Richard Jordan was sin-binned and during his absence Buckingham made their numerical supremacy tell with another converted try. Play then became very disjointed with many injury stoppages interrupting the flow of the game. Buckingham were generally in control but were unable to convert this into points until ten minutes from time when more slick handling and good backing up stretched the home defence and led to a converted try. Wimborne refused to concede and pressed Buckingham until the end. Their reward was two tries, the first from number eight Rob Hay which was converted by Mikolajewski, who then closed out the scoring with a five pointer of his own, to narrow the final gap to eleven points. Wimborne 1st XV: Jack Green, Ben Hunt, Andy Unwin, Jamie Hawkings, Charles Roberts, George Wareham, Declan Francis, Rob Hay, Phil Andrews, Chris Perry, Tom Brown, Jim Brokenshire, Steve King, James Mikolajewski, Gavin Maltman, Matt Burvill, Richard Jordan, Mark Griffith Match Reporter: Green Acres
Saturday
19th March 2011 Wimborne slid to their fourteenth successive league defeat of a disappointing season at home to local rivals Oakmeadians at Leigh Park on Saturday. Oaks scored
tries at regular intervals in a first half that their superior fitness
and quality of running lines constantly exposed a frail Wimborne
defence. The second half
started with a bang as Oaks scored three tries, two of them converted,
in the first ten minutes. Steve King got his second try with a score
following another intercepted pass. Wimborne did not give up however and they scored two tries in the last ten minutes. The first came when Gavin Maltman made a long run up the left before being tackled short of the line. From the resulting ruck flanker George Wareham went over. In time added for stoppages winger Steve King, now playing at fly half owing to injuries, scored a try following a mazy run to rack up his personal hat-trick, and secure the scant consolation of a try-scoring bonus point for Wimborne. The try was converted by Phil Andrews to leave the final score a convincing 48-22 in favour of Oakmeadians. Wimborne 1st XV: Jack Green, Ben Hunt, Andy Unwin, Richard Jordan, Charles Roberts, Bobby Brown, George Wareham, Charlie Morgan, Chris Perry, Scott Ansell, Steve King, Jim Brokenshire, Tom Brown, Phil Andrews, Gavin Maltman, Matt Burvill, Rob Hay, Jay Van Wyk Match Reporter: Green Acres
Saturday
12th March 2011 On their first ever visit to Witney Wimborne gave another disappointing display and came away with the news that Buckingham's victory over Maidenhead confirmed their relegation back to Southern Counties next season. Witney dominated the first half with their strong direct running and backing up of the ball carrier meant that every Wimborne error was rapidly punished. The home side scored five converted tries in the half and Wimborne were only able to reach the home twenty-two on a couple of occasions. The first came when full back Gavin Maltman fielded the ball deep in his own half and fed winger Jim Brokenshire who ran the ball back into Witney territory but the chance came to nothing. Just before the half time whistle Wimborne attacked again and this time were rewarded when, after a series of rucks, fly half Scott Ansell scooted over for an unconverted try. The second half started in much the same manner but the Wimborne defence for the most part held firm restricting Witney in the first twenty minutes to a single penalty goal. Wimborne were mounting a few attacks of their own but a couple of handling errors were quickly punished and Witney ran in a pair of converted tries from long range. The remainder of the match followed the same pattern with Wimborne spending long periods in the home half but without looking like scoring, as simple mistakes such as losing the ball in contact and ignoring the simple pass gave Witney the opportunity to clear. In the last five minutes of the game Witney's superior fitness told as they scored two more tries at the death to complete a convincing victory. P S. The club would like to congratulate touch judge Simon Bourne on the recent birth of his first-born. Simon's absence on parental duties meant a return to duty of a recently retired elderly gentleman who performed his duties well, but lacked Simon's sartorial flair. Wimborne 1st XV: Kevin Busby, Mark Hopkins, Matt Burvill, Richard Jordan, Andy Hopkins, Denny Champ, Declan Francis, James Mikolajewski, Chris Perry, Scott Ansell, Steve King, Mark Griffith, Tom Brown, Gavin Maltman, Ben Hunt, Rob Hay, Bobby Brown Match Reporter: Green Acres
Saturday
5th March 2011 Injury-hit Wimborne went down to another defeat at Leigh Park on Saturday to a very efficient Marlow team. With a pack totally re-organized because of injuries with winger James Mikolajewski at No. 8, and Lewis Warner, in the centre, and Matt Burvill, on the bench, making their first XV debuts, Wimborne quickly went behind when a clearing kick which failed to find touch was returned for a converted try. Wimborne responded well and reduced the deficit with two penalties for offside that were kicked by fly half Scott Ansell. The visitors however, on their first visit to the home half for some time, forced a scrum 5 metres out. The ball squirted out of the side of the scrummage and was alertly picked up by the Marlow flanker who dived over for a converted try. For the remainder of the half the Wimborne pack were under great pressure and eventually conceded another converted try following an immense scrummage drive to give Marlow a 21points to 6 lead at the break. Injuries forced another re-shuffle in the home pack at half time with props Kevin Busby and Jack Arnold having to withdraw. The consequent ruling of unopposed scrums altered the balance of power up front, and Wimborne were able to make some inroads into the Marlow half. Lewis Warner, the home side's centre made one searing break from his own half only to be brought down just short of the line. Wimborne continued to press and Marlow had two men sin-binned in their efforts to keep their line intact. The deficit was reduced after twenty minutes when following a 5 metre line out catch and drive scrum half Chris Perry dived over for his first senior XV try. The remainder of the match was a very stop-start affair with lots of stoppages for minor injuries. With 5 minutes to go Marlow increased their lead when a box kick was gathered by their scrum half who went over for their fourth converted try. The highlight of the match was however saved for last when following a clean catch by Denny Champ at a lineout on half way the ball was swung out to the backs. Lewis Warner made another searing outside break and advanced into the visitors 22. As he was tackled by the full back he managed to pass the ball back inside to Scott Ansell who picked the ball up off his toes and galloped over under the posts for a try which he himself converted. Wimborne 1st XV: Kevin Busby, Ben Hunt, Jack Arnold, Richard Jordan, George Wareham, Denny Champ, Sean Murphy, James Mikolajewski, Chris Perry, Scott Ansell, Phil Andrews, Lewis Warner, Jim Brokenshire, Steve King (capt), Gavin Maltman, Matt Burvill, Mark Hopkins, Tom Brown Match Reporter: Green Acres
Saturday
26th February 2011 In their first ever visit to Leigh Park on Saturday Reading hung on to win a hugely entertaining game of ten tries by seven points. Wimborne opened the match in fine style and despite playing into a strong wind, dominated the early exchanges. Following a penalty kick to the corner and clean catch and drive at the resultant line out, prop Jack Arnold scored his first try for the club. After 20 minutes the Wimborne injury jinx struck again when hooker Richard Brokenshire was forced to leave the field, being replaced by Mark Hopkins. Reading equalised after 20 minutes when on their first visit to the home 22, quick ball from a ruck led to a huge overlap and a try wide out. From the following kick off Wimborne regained the ball and fed it along the line. Right wing Steve King received the pass some 45 metres out, cut inside and went on a mazy run across the field, through several tackles, and eventually touched down in the left hand corner. Reading returned to the attack and narrowed the gap with a penalty kick awarded for handling in the ruck. Playing with the elements, the visitors took the lead for the first time when following a penalty for offside, smooth handling led to a converted try. The advantage was increased when some poor tackling was penalised with a try wide out. Wimborne were not discouraged and just before half time quick ball was spun along the line for Steve King to score in the corner for his second try of the match. The complexion of the contest changed during the interval when Wimborne were forced to make their second and third replacements with second rower Charles Roberts, and number eight and Captain Dave O'Bryan were forced out through injury. This, together with Reading bringing on a huge replacement prop, totally altered the balance of power up front. Wimborne now playing with the wind equalised when young fly half Scott Ansell found touch 15 metres from the Reading line with a huge kick. The visitors overthrew the line out and Charlie Morgan was on hand to go over unopposed. Shortly afterwards, Ansell launched another gigantic kick deep into Reading territory. The visitors were penalised at the ensuing line out and scrum half Chris Perry alertly took a quick kick and sped the ball out to the backs, Jim Brokenshire going over in the corner. Wimborne, although now in the lead, came under increasing pressure up front and conceded a penalty 5 metres out. Reading opted to take a scrum and were rewarded with a converted try under the posts. Reading now enjoyed a period of dominance and only some frantic defending, with debutant flanker Declan Francis outstanding, restricted the visitors to a further penalty goal. With restricted possession, Wimborne were feeding on scraps but looked dangerous whenever they managed to get the ball away from the forwards. From one such passage of play winger James Mikolajewski made a strong run down the left. The ball was quickly re-cycled and Reading were penalised for offside. Mikolajewski narrowed the gap to two points with the successful kick. The final score of the match went to Reading, when further strong pressure in the scrummage led to another try, five minutes from time. Wimborne attacked strongly at the end, but were unable to add to their tally and had to be content with two bonus points in a valiant losing effort. Wimborne 1st XV: Kevin Busby, Richie Brokenshire, Jack Arnold, Charles Roberts, George Wareham, Denny Champ, Declan Francis, Dave O'Bryan (capt), Chris Perry, Scott Ansell, Steve King, Mark Griffith, Jim Brokenshire, James Mikolajewski, Gavin Maltman, Mark Hopkins, Sam Tucker, Charlie Morgan Match Reporter: Green Acres
Saturday
19th February 2011 A much-changed Wimborne side gave an improved performance at highflying Olney on Saturday before going down by 33 points to 10. Late withdrawals meant a re-shuffle in the backs with James Mikolajewski moving from the wing to fly half and young Chris Perry making his first start at scrum half. In the forwards Jack Arnold made an impressive debut at prop before being replaced in the second half prior to playing for the County on Sunday. Following the three and a half hour trip, Wimborne started sluggishly and were under pressure for much of the first half. Olney took the lead after 13 minutes when the full back came into the line to create the extra man for the winger to go over for a converted try. Ten minutes later a massive overlap on the opposite wing led to another seven pointer. Wimborne's occasional forays into the home half were spoiled by some poor decision making allowing the home side to repel any threats to their line. After 35 minutes flanker Denny Champ was yellow-carded for conceding two penalties in quick succession. From the second of these the home side kicked into the corner and from the resultant lineout rolled the maul over for another converted try. Wimborne opened the second half in fine style and were quickly rewarded when a Chris Perry chip ahead was collected by winger Phil Andrews who touched down for an unconverted try. Olney returned to the attack and scored another converted try from a rolling maul. The visitors were now playing with much more confidence, mounting a series of strong attacks before James Mikolajewski went over wide out. Wimborne were now spending long periods in the home half but were unable to pierce the home defence. Olney increased their lead following a rare break out from defence when the visitors were unable to halt yet another rolling maul following a line out. The final ten minutes of the match were spent in home territory but the line held firm to give Olney victory by a somewhat flattering margin of 23 points. Wimborne 1st XV: Kevin Busby, Mark Hopkins, Jack Arnold, Charles Roberts, Andy Hopkins, Denny Champ, George Wareham, Dave O'Bryan (capt), Chris Perry, James Mikolajewski, Steve King, Mark Griffith, Jim Brokenshire, Phil Andrews, Gavin Maltman, Richie Brokenshire, Dan Oliver Match Reporter: Green Acres
Saturday
12th February 2011 It was the proverbial "Game of Two Halves" at Buckingham on Saturday as Wimborne held the hosts to a two point lead at half time before conceding 41 unanswered points in the second period. Buckingham took the lead after ten minutes when Wimborne were penalised for preventing the taking of a quick throw in. The hosts took a tap penalty and eventually scored a converted try under the posts. Wimborne put the home team under pressure but after twenty minutes with a scrum awarded to them inside the home twenty-two, loose tongues resulted in a penalty award against them. The kick was taken quickly and led to try wide out. Wimborne came back on the attack and a series of phases deep in the home twenty two led to James Mikolajewski snaffling the ball at the base of a ruck and diving over for a try which he converted. With the Wimborne pack dominating in the tight the home line was in constant danger and eventually Buckingham were forced to concede a penalty which Mikolajewski coolly converted to narrow the deficit to two points. Disaster struck from the kick off when the ball was lost in the sun and eventually went into touch five metres from the Wimborne line. Buckingham won the line out and went over for an unconverted try. The visitors came straight back on the attack and following a line out and subsequent driving maul Richard Brokenshire broke away and scored an unconverted try to make the score at half time 17-15 in favour of the hosts. At the start the second half Buckingham kicked off and recovered the ball and moved it quickly to score under the posts. A second try followed immediately when the kick off was returned for another converted try. Wimborne's cause was not helped by a series of injuries in the pack that led to three front row replacements being required. Wimborne did mount a few offensive sorties of their own but mistakes were inevitably punished with swift counter attacks. Thereafter tries followed at regular intervals as superb direct running and excellent backing up led to five more tries and the hosts running out comfortable winners. Wimborne 1st XV: Andy Unwin, Richard Brokenshire, Russell Tinsdale (capt), Charles Roberts, Andy Hopkins, George Wareham, Charlie Morgan, Dave O'Bryan, Jay Van Wyk, Scott Ansell, Steve King, Mark Griffith, Jim Brokenshire, James Mikolajewski, Gavin Maltman, Kevin Busby, Ben Hunt, Dan Oliver Match Reporter: Green Acres
Saturday
5th February 2011 Wimborne went
down to a very efficient High Wycombe side at Leigh Park on Saturday
in a very entertaining high scoring match. Wycombe returned to the attack and were only denied by two try-saving tackles by fullback Gavin Maltman. The inevitable happened however when after 21 minutes some slick handling by the visiting backs put their speedy winger over in the corner. Five minutes later they scored another try when following a five-metre scrum their number 8 went over. Just before half time, with skipper Russ Tinsdale in the sin bin, Wimborne conceded another try when the visitors scored a pushover try to stretch their lead to 26-11 at the turn round. Playing now with the wind at their backs Wycombe soon added to their tally when a Wimborne knock on deep in the 22 was gleefully seized upon for a try under the posts. The visitors increased their lead with another two converted tries following some impressive handling and excellent backing up in support of the ball carrier. Wimborne were not disheartened and reduced the deficit with an individual try by Gavin Maltman who touched down after a typical mazy run. Wycombe restored their advantage with five minutes remaining when they scored a try following a stolen lineout ball. Wimborne however closed the game in fine style when first Jacques Van Wyk, and then Scott Ansell gathered chip kicks ahead for their third and fourth tries so securing the bonus point. Wimborne 1st XV: Andy Unwin, Sean Murphy, Russell Tinsdale (capt), Luke Andrews, Charles Roberts, Denny Champ, George Wareham, Dave O'Bryan, Jay Van Wyk, Scott Ansell, Phil Andrews, Mark Griffith, Tom Brown, James Mikolajewski, Gavin Maltman, Richie Brokenshire, Rob Hay, Jason Llwellyn Match Reporter: Green Acres
Saturday
29th January 2011 Poor discipline
cost Wimborne dear in their match at Leigh Park on Saturday leading
to a costly defeat against fellow strugglers Wallingford. Wimborne attacked strongly from the restart but were unable to break through a stubborn defence. After 20 minutes Wimborne gained a strong attacking position with a five-metre scrum, but two successive penalties resulted in the visitors moving deep into the home 22, and then scoring the first try of the game after 24 minutes. George Wareham replaced the injured Charlie Morgan and for the remainder of the half play remained in the home half. The stout defence restricted the visitors to a penalty goal awarded for offside to give Wallingford a deserved 11-0 lead at the interval. In the second half Wimborne were reduced to fourteen men when flanker Denny Champ was sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes but the home defence held out and indeed put Wallingford under some pressure whilst playing short-handed. However 20 minutes into the half the visitors scored another unconverted try when their impressive pack drove a maul over the line for the touch down. Now trailing by sixteen points Wimborne rang the changes bringing on Russell Tinsdale and Liam Long and moving Jacques Van Wyk into scrum half. The introduction of fresh legs brought a quick response when James Mikolajewski finished off a fine move with a try in the corner. Play continued to ebb and flow and Wimborne were fortunate when the Wallingford prop dropped the ball over the line. The home side were now playing catch up and closed the gap to six points when following a line out catch and drive hooker Richard Brokenshire, playing his first full game of the season, spun out of the maul to touch down. It proved to be too little too late as Wimborne were unable to add to their tally and went down to their sixth home defeat of the season. Wimborne 1st XV: Kevin Busby, Richard Brokenshire, Andy Unwin, Rob Hay, Charles Roberts, Denny Champ, Charlie Morgan, Dave O'Bryan (capt), Jason Llwellyn, Scott Ansell, Steve King, Jay Van Wyk, Jim Brokenshire, James Mikolajewski, Gavin Maltman, Russell Tinsdale, George Wareham, Liam Long Match Reporter: Green Acres
Saturday
22nd January 2011 Wimborne started their match at league leading Maidenhead exerting pressure in the home twenty two but on their first visit to the visitor's half, the home team worked an overlap on the right wing to score an unconverted try. The visitors returned to the attack and won a series of 5 metre scrums but were denied when the referee, in the first of a few mysterious decisions, decided that the scrummage had swung through ninety degrees, allowing the home side to clear. Undeterred, Wimborne continued to attack and were rewarded when Maidenhead were penalised for not releasing, allowing Van Wyk to kick the penalty. Maidenhead then got into their stride and spent some time in the Wimborne half before a strike against the head by Sean Murphy allowed Van Wyk to make a fine clearing kick. The home team continued to press but a fine break by the returning Jim Brokenshire put Phil Andrews away on the left. Quick ball from the ensuing ruck caught the defence offside and Van Wyk coolly put the kick over to give the visitors a deserved half time lead. Maidenhead regained
the lead early in the second half when their livewire scrum half
broke and went over for a converted try. Maidenhead extended their lead when their right wing scored an excellent try from a scrummage in midfield and then with ten minutes remaining, a speculative hack ahead took a wicked bounce away from full back Gavin Maltman to allow the following up centre to score. Wimborne mounted a series of attacks but were constantly repulsed by a number of relieving kicks including one seventy five-metre effort by replacement full back, ex-Wimborne player Matt Wells. In time added for stoppages Wimborne conceded another score when a handling error in midfield was punished with a converted try. Undeterred the visitors continued to play attractive rugby and forced a line out five metres from the Maidenhead line. From the ensuing maul Sean Murphy stretched over to score a consolation try. Wimborne 1st XV: Kevin Busby, Sean Murphy, Andy Unwin, Richard Jordan, Charles Roberts, Denny Champ, Charlie Morgan, Dave O'Bryan (capt), Jason Llwellyn, Jay Van Wyk, Steve King, Jim Brokenshire, Tom Brown, Phil Andrews, Gavin Maltman, Richie Brokenshire, Rob Hay, Scott Ansell Match Reporter: Green Acres
Saturday
15th January 2011 With both teams struggling to pick-up league points, this was a must-win match for both teams. However, if you were blissfully unaware of the two teams league position you would have thought it was top of the table verses the bottom! Wimborne were rarely out of the Bletchley half for over 80% of the game and were inflicting continual pressure on a desperate Bletchley defensive line. At any level of rugby, it is imperative to convert pressure into points - but not for the want of trying, Wimborne only ended the half with two penalty scores by James Mikolajewski to show for their hard work. With the strong north wind now behind Bletchley, the second half looked like it would become a game of kick-and-rush as Bletchley continued to clear their lines with a kick from defence. Wimborne's unrelenting pressure and Bletchley's dogged defence was played out until the 76th minute when the visitors found a gap down their right wing to score an unconverted try. Trailing by just a point, Bletchley throw everything they had in a last ditch effort to gain the points. As injury time approached, Wimborne gave a penalty away in the Bletchley half of the field. With the home crowd holding their breath, Bletchley's Phil Harman using the strong wind sent the kick 60 metres over the Wimborne posts to the dismay of the crowd. This season Wimborne have shown that they have the physical presence and ability to match any team in this league but what is missing is the ability to capitalise on their pressure in the final phases. However, this will come and once this concluding aspect of their play is in place they will go from strength to strength. Next week's game is away to top of the table Maidenhead - all support most welcome. The next home match is against fellow strugglers Wallingford a week later (29th Jan) Wimborne 1st XV: Andy Unwin, Ben Hunt, Russell Tinsdale (Capt), Charles Roberts, Luke Andrews, Denny Champ, Sean Murphy, Dave O'Bryan, Jason Llewellyn, Jay Van Wyk, Steve King, Mark Griffith, Tom Brown, James Mikolajewski, Gavin Maltman, Richard Jordan, Charlie Morgan, Scott Ansell. Match Reporter: Green Grass
Saturday
8th January 2011 It was touch and go as to whether this fixture would go ahead, constant rainfall in the previous 24hrs had left two of the three Amersham pitches unplayable and the third was a doubt right up to the departure of the players from Wimborne. 3hrs on and the team bus arrived, the pitch was soggy but it was good to be playing again following the recent postponements through snow and ice. Amersham put Wimborne under pressure right from the start, their intent to put the ball through the hands as much as the conditions would allow, paid dividends as they probed the Wimborne defensive line. By committing defenders at the breakdown they created an overlap on the short side to score an unconverted try from 10mtrs out, score 5-0 Wimborne went on the attack with the forwards setting up a platform for scrum half Jason Llwellyn to release the backs, the move broke down on the half-way line as Jay Van Wyk lost his footing in the soggy conditions and Amersham capitalised by pouncing on the ball to score a converted try under the posts, 12-0 Amersham went close to scoring again a few moments later but a careless knock on 5mtrs from the try line allowed the Wimborne pack to secure the resulting scrum and fly half Ryan Maidment kicked well to touch to relieve the pressure. Wimborne were awarded a penalty 30mtrs out just left of the posts following an infringement at the breakdown but James Mikolajewski's kick drifted wide of the posts and the score remained 12-0 Amersham successfully kicked a penalty on the Wimborne 22mtr line in front of the posts following an offside decision, score 15-0 Wimborne finished the half strongly gaining good territorial advantage and were rewarded with a penalty 15mtrs out in front of the posts. The decision to opt for the scrum instead of kicking for points was a little baffling to the watching crowd, especially as Amersham had won the ball against the head in the previous scrum. With options either side it was a risky decision that would only be justified by scoring a try, unfortunately Jason Llwellyn was adjudged to have fed the ball into the scrum and Amersham cleared their lines. The Wimborne forwards started to dominate the scrummage, dropped passes in difficult handling conditions meant that the two packs locked horns frequently as the half-time interval approached and Wimborne were awarded another penalty just before the break. Declining the kick at goal again they opted to kick for touch but missed the jumper in the resulting lineout allowing Amersham to clear the danger, H/T 15-0 Playing uphill and into the wind in the second half was always going to be difficult so the Wimborne pack kept the ball tight picking and driving to good effect. Good territorial gains were lost following a kick that didn't make touch and Amersham scored their third try putting the ball through the hands and the centre ghosted through the Wimborne defence to score an unconverted try, 20-0 Debutant prop Mike Pride came on to replace the injured Russell Tinsdale after 45 minutes and Liam long replaced Gavin Maltman. Wimborne struggled to get out of their own half and kicks from hand into space that should have relieved the pressure were gathered by the Amersham backs and returned with interest. With Amersham focused on scoring that bonus point try the pressure built on the Wimborne defensive line and the tackle count just kept rising. James Mikolajewski picked up an injury following a collision with a knee and was replaced at fullback by Danny Moore. Wimborne created a few breaks of their own through Steve King and Liam Long as they marauded down the wings, the touchline being that extra defender for the Amersham fullback as the moves were halted metres short of the try line. Back on the Wimborne line Ryan Maidment got his body under the ball carrier to prevent a try with 10 minutes left on the clock and Jason Llwellyn was unluckily sin binned at the scrummage adjudged to have tackled the man before the ball had left the scrum. Down to 14 men and camped on their own 5mtr line it was only a matter of time before the defence was breached and Amersham scored the bonus point try from a pick and drive from close range. The conversion was successful, final score 27-0 Team manager Mark Sturney said afterwards " this was a heroic performance from the lads, we have to remember that Amersham are 12 places above us in this league but we have to learn to put pressure on teams by converting the penalty kicks into points " Wimborne 1st XV: Andy Unwin, Mark Hopkins, Russell Tinsdale (capt), Dan Wale, Luke Andrews, Denny Champ, Nick Horne, Charlie Morgan, Jason Llwellyn, Ryan Maidment, Steve King, Jay Van Wyk, Tom Brown, James Mikolajewski, Gavin Maltman, Mike Pride, Danny Moore, Liam Long Match Reporter: Green Sleeves
Saturday
11th December 2010 Following recent postponed matches it was a welcome relief that this week's warmer weather had thawed the pitches out sufficiently to allow some rugby to be played. Noticeable absentees with niggling injury worries were Steve King, Luke Andrews and James Mikolajewski but Wimborne still selected a team that were capable of taking on the Swans pack and had the firepower out wide to stretch the defence. Swans however came out of the blocks the fastest, well drilled and constantly supporting the ball carrier they forced Wimborne to play the opening 10 minutes in their own half.Missed tackles in the middle of defence allowed the Swans wing to take an offload at pace and he cut a line ghosting through from 30mtrs to score a converted try under the posts, score 7-0 Swans added an extra 3 points shortly after from a successful penalty kick on the Wimborne 22mtr line just wide of the posts. The offence at the breakdown baffled the travelling support and when team captain Russell Tinsdale queried the decision with the referee was warned to go away before he was sent from the field, score 10-0 The Wimborne forwards scrummaged well forcing the Swans pack backwards and spoiling the halfback distribution to win themselves a penalty inside the Swans 22 for an illegal entry at the breakdown. Scott Ansell successfully kicked the points, score 10-3 Swans stretched their lead with another penalty 20mtrs out after Wimborne players were adjudged to have gone off their feet at the breakdown, score 13-3 Wimborne missed the opportunity to reduce the deficit following a penalty for pulling down at the lineout, Scott Ansell's kick falling just short of the posts and prop Andy Unwin was replaced by Mark Hopkins following an injury. On the half hour Ben Hunt was sent to the sin bin for not releasing 5mtrs in front of the Wimborne posts, Swans converted the kick and the scrums went to uncontested for the duration of the sin bin, score 16-3. Swans didn't make the most of the numerical advantage and just before the break Wimborne were awarded a penalty 35mtrs out for holing on in the tackle. Electing to kick for touch the Wimborne lineout was wasted and Swans were able to clear the danger, H/T 16-3 Forwards coach Andy Dobson gave the players a verbal blast during the interval, "poor discipline has led to them successfully kicking 3 penalties in that half, forget about the decisions the referee is making you've got to wise up and play to the game that he is going to referee, switch on and play the way that we set out to" Frustratingly Wimborne conceded another penalty just after the restart, isolated and holding onto the ball 30mtrs out in front of their own posts the 3 points were snapped up by the Swans kicker, 19-3 Wimborne missed another penalty kick following an offside infringement on the Swans 22mtr line when Scott Ansell kicked wide of the posts. Fullback Gavin Maltman gathered a kicked clearance to run the ball back into the Swans half but lost possession in the contact and the resulting turnover was seized upon with joy as the Swans three-quarters took full advantage of an overlap to run in for a converted try, 26-3 Mark Hopkins was sin binned a few minutes later following a rush of blood when he went off his feet at the breakdown and scrummaging went to uncontested again. Bobby Brown replaced the injured Russ Tinsdale as Swans piled on the pressure through their pack. Swans mauled the ball to within 10mtrs of the Wimborne line, Liam Long rushed out of defence and Swans used the overlap on the short side to score an unconverted try, 31-3 Jason Llwellyn replaced the injured Gavin Maltman, Jay Van Wyk returned to flyhalf and Scott Ansell stepped into the fullback position As the game petered out the Swans pack kept the ball tight scoring another unconverted try from a driving maul from close range wide out on the touchline. Final score 36-3 Team manager Mark Sturney said afterwards "it has been difficult to get any continuity with selection this season, I can't remember the last time we made a tactical replacement, injuries to key players have left us disjointed and recent bad weather conditions have impacted on team training. We must stick together and grind out results to ensure our survival in this league, next weeks home fixture against Oakmeadians is a must win" Wimborne 1st XV: Andy Unwin, Ben Hunt, Russell Tinsdale (capt), Charles Roberts, Robert Hay, Denny Champ, Charlie Morgan, Dave O'Bryan, Jay Van Wyk, Scott Ansell, Liam Long, Mark Griffith, Tom Brown, Phil Andrews, Gavin Maltman, Mark Hopkins, Bobby Brown, Jason Llwellyn Match Reporter: Green Sleeves
Saturday
20th November 2010
Wimborne 1st XV were proud to welcome one of this seasons shirt sponsors to the club on Saturday. Tom Wolfenden from Abacus van hire drove one of the new fleet minibuses to the club for a photo opportunity with the squad. Tom said "we are proud to be sponsors of Wimborne rugby football club, they are a community based sports organisation with volunteers working hard to provide coaching and playing opportunities for all ages and abilities". Team Manager Mark Sturney said, " we very much appreciate the help that Abacus is providing, many of the teams that we have to play against in the league are based in Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. Travelling costs can be a huge drain on club funds and when income is hard to generate it is very helpful that a local company like Abacus steps forward and provides the minibus transport for us". Right from the
kick off the Wimborne forwards got in amongst their opposite numbers,
buoyed by the return of second row Richard Jordan and Luke Andrews
at blindside flanker they forced the knock on then demolished the
Witney scrum. Half back partnership Jason Llwellyn and Jay Van Wyk
combined well to release fullback Gavin Maltman running a good line
and dissecting the Witney defence to score the first try from 22mtrs
out. James Mikolajewski pushed the conversion kick just wide of
the posts, score 5-0 A secure Wimborne
scrummage in the second half set up the platform for Jay Van Wyk
to throw the missed pass to Tom Brown who offloaded to James Mikolajewski
on the crash ball and he burst through the Witney defence to score
a converted try under the posts from 30mtrs, 20-15 The disappointment was clear to see on the Wimborne faces at the final whistle, they had battled hard and were unlucky not to have claimed another league leaders scalp, equally the relief on the faces of the Witney players was evidence that they knew how close they had come to loosing this game. Team Manager Mark Sturney said after the match " the guys have given their all today, we were very close to turning over another top of the table team, we must keep taking any points on offer in this league to survive and it makes it even more difficult with the number of injuries we keep picking up". Wimborne 1st XV: Andy Unwin, Mark Hopkins, Russell Tinsdale (capt), Charles Roberts, Richard Jordan, Luke Andrews, Denny Champ, Dave O'Bryan, Jason Llwellyn, Jay Van Wyk, Steve King, Mark Griffith, Tom Brown, James Mikolajewski, Gavin Maltman, Kevin Busby, Danny Moore, Dan Oliver Match Reporter: Green Sleeves
Saturday
13th November 2010 It was another frustrating week for the Wimborne all blacks with wholesale changes to the squad that faced Swans last week due to availability and injuries to players. Andy Unwin, Charlie Morgan and Denny Champ were the only forwards to remain from the squad that started last week and it was a new half back partnership with Gavin Maltman at scrum half alongside debutante Scott Ansell at fly half. The Marlow drop out to start the match was kicked straight to touch and the resulting scrummage back on the half way line was won against the head as the Marlow forwards signalled their intent to boss this game. The Wimborne defence stood firm as the Marlow pack drove the maul deep into Wimborne territory and were unlucky to have a penalty awarded against them for an infringement at the breakdown. Marlow successfully kicked the penalty in front of the posts, score 3-0 Marlow's first try developed from a lineout just inside their own half, a breakaway from the tail was thwarted by James Mikolajewski but a dummy pass around the fringes of the breakdown opened up a gap for the Marlow half back to exploit and touch down for a converted try under the posts, 10-0 Wimborne started to put some width on the game, putting the ball through the hands and kicking behind the Marlow defence they gained good territorial advantage and were rewarded with a penalty 30mtrs out near the touchline. James Mikolajewski's kick was pushed just wide of the posts. Marlow were strong in the set piece, their lineouts were accurate and the scrummaging solid and another little show and go from the halfback inside the Marlow half opened up a gap around the fringes again. The kick and chase turned the Wimborne defence and under pressure they conceded a knock on 5mtrs out in front of the posts. Under immense pressure in the scrum the Wimborne pack were pushed backwards and Marlow drove over for a converted try. 20 minutes played and the home team advantage 17-0 Shell shocked by the ferocity of the Marlow pack Wimborne returned to playing with width, the key was quick ball away from the set piece to release the backs and negate the power within the Marlow forwards. Liam Long made his opposite number on the wing look average as he turned him inside out on a couple of occasions but was forced into touch by the covering defender on the Marlow 22mtr line. Wimborne contested the lineout forcing a knock on and the resulting scrum was secured allowing Gavin Maltman enough time to put the ball through the hands and release the backs. Tom Brown chipped the ball into the corner for another Marlow lineout that was secured but under pressure from the Wimborne loose forwards the kicked clearance gained little territory. Accurate throwing by Mark Hopkins found Denny Champ leaping like a returning salmon and he offloaded to Dave O'Bryan who bulldozed his way through the covering defence to score a try under the posts. James Mikolajewski added the extra points, score 17-7 Wimborne continued to put the pressure on Marlow by running the ball as often as they could, Scott Ansell kicked well from hand to turn the defence and Steve King rampaged his way down the other wing. Marlow missed a drop goal attempt and James Mikolajewski's long-range penalty kick fell just short of the posts as the game became more open. Just before half time Marlow conceded another penalty after Mark Griffith burst through the centre and was prevented from releasing the ball. James Mikolajewski successfully kicked the penalty, H/T 17-10 Marlow reverted back to keeping the ball within their pack in the second half, with the size advantage they continued to drive the mauls to good effect gaining territory and keeping Wimborne penned in their own half. Wimborne defended heroically under a barrage of pick and drives and both Steve King and James Mikolajewski were called upon to make crucial tackles to halt the Marlow backs. The injured Scott Ansell was replaced after 60 minutes by Phil Andrews who went to wing and James Mikolajewski took over at fly half. Mark Hopkins was sin binned shortly afterwards for being offside, a little harsh maybe but just the result of adding up previous infringements. Marlow kicked for touch deep into the Wimborne half where they set up a driving maul from the lineout and manfully the Wimborne defence held it up to prevent the try. Strong defence from the resulting Marlow scrummage forced a knock on and Wimborne held firm on their put in to get the kicked clearance away to safety. Russell Tinsdale replaced Kevin Busby after he could not continue following an earlier ankle injury and with the return of Mark Hopkins Wimborne were back up to full strength again. A quick penalty taken by Gavin Maltman almost released the Wimborne backs but a handling error from James Mikolajewski returned the advantage to the Marlow forwards. Wimborne's defence was finally breached when Marlow scored from a move involving the full back after a pick and go at the base of the scrum and touched down for an unconverted try out wide, 22-10 With the chance of that all important loosing bonus point diminishing the all blacks pressed for another score. Steve King, Phil Andrews and Liam Long all tried to create enough room to get down the touchline but were forced out of play by the covering defence. In conclusion, this was a hard fought match, if Wimborne had finished some of the opportunities created then the result could have been a lot different, quick ball to the backs and using the width is the way forward for this team and then the results will come. Next up is the match at home to top of the table Witney, another good scalp to have and a reason to lift the performance to a higher level. Final score 22-10 Wimborne 1st XV: Kevin Busby, Mark Hopkins, Andy Unwin, Charles Roberts, Danny Moore, Denny Champ, Charlie Morgan, Dave O'Bryan, Gavin Maltman, Scott Ansell, Liam Long, Mark Griffith, Tom Brown, Steve King, James Mikolajewski, Russell Tinsdale, Phil Andrews, Dan Oliver Match Reporter: Green Sleeves
Saturday
6th November 2010 Although Wimborne had to make 4 enforced changes through injury and work commitments for this Cup S/F they arrived full of confidence after last weeks great victory at home against Olney in South West 1 East league. Swans had other ideas though, with a good record in this Cup competition they took the game to the all blacks right from the kick off. Wimborne spent the first 15 minutes of this game defending in their own half, waves of attacks through the Swans forwards combined with accurate line outs and strong scrummaging kept Wimborne on the back foot. Wimborne could consider themselves fortunate that they only conceded 6 points from penalties in this period, the first for being offside and the second for going off their feet at the breakdown, score 6-0 After this early stutter Wimborne had a successful penalty kick of their own, James Mikolajewski kicking between the posts on the Swans 22mtr line, the offence was a lost bind in the scrum, 6-3 Robert Hay left the field with a blood injury and was temporarily replaced by Mark Hopkins. A few minutes later and Mark Griffith forced his way through the Swans defence; going to ground and presenting the ball well Russell Tinsdale picked and drove gaining good territory in the Swans half. Quick ball for the Wimborne three quarters they moved it out wide to Sean Murphy who brushed off a couple of tackles before being brought to ground 10mtrs out. Adjudged to have held onto the ball for too long in the tackle Murphy was penalised and Swans were able to kick to touch and clear their lines. Robert Hay returned to the field following his blood injury but it was the Swans forwards that continued to dominate the breakdown. Forced to commit more players at the breakdown than they would want to Wimborne found themselves stretched in defence and the Swans three quarters exploited the overlap and got the ball wide for the wing to score a converted try, 13-3 Wimborne replied straight away when James Mikolajewski successfully kicked a penalty in front of the posts after an offside infringement but carelessly gave away a penalty from the restart to allow Swans to cancel out any gains, score 16-6 at half time. Mark Hopkins replace Robert Hay for the start of the second half, the blow to his mouth that he took early in the match meant that Hay could not continue. Captain Russell Tinsdale continued to play on even though he was in some discomfort after getting a shoeing when the Swans forwards drove through a Wimborne ruck and he found himself on the wrong side. Swans kept up the pressure, they knew they had the upper hand in the scrums and they also used the driving maul to good effect to force their way over for a successful try out wide. The conversion was pushed wide of the posts, score 21-6 Heroic defence after a barrage of drives from the Swans pack was taking its toll on the bodies of the Wimborne players, Denny Champ twisted his knee awkwardly trying to prevent the Swans try and Murphy seemed to be suffering from fatigue following a virus. The problems were compounded when Wimborne lost a man to the sin bin for 10 minutes, Mark Griffith unluckily adjudged to have used a swinging arm whilst trying to clear out a ruck. With the numerical advantage and dominance in the pack Swans drove the ball within 10mtrs of the Wimborne line and released the ball to the centres to score a converted try under the posts, 28-6 Sean Murphy was replaced by Dan Oliver, James Mikolajewski taking over the role of No 8 whilst Dan Oliver took his place on the wing. The Swans pack continued to put the pressure on the Wimborne scrum, winning the ball against the head they picked and drove the ball downfield to score another converted try, 35-6 Mark Griffith returned from the sin bin but in the 10 minutes he was off the field Swans had scored 14 unanswered points to put this game beyond reach. Russell Tinsdale could not continue with his injury and with the numerical advantage again the Swans forwards won another ball against the head in the scrum and released their backs down the blindside to score another converted try. Final score 42-6 Forwards coach Andy Dobson gathered the players together at the end of the match and said " you know you can play better than this, we proved that last weekend. We need to regroup, this game is finished, now we concentrate on consolidating a position in the league" Best wishes to Swans who face Bournemouth in the final after beating Oakmeadians 89-0 on Friday evening Wimborne 1st XV: Andy Unwin, Ben Hunt, Russell Tinsdale, Robert Hay, Richard Jordan, Denny Champ, Sean Murphy, Charlie Morgan, Jason Llwellyn, Jay Van Wyk, Liam Long, Mark Griffith, Steve King, Gavin Maltman, James Mikolajewski, Mark Hopkins, Daniel Oliver Match Reporter: Green Sleeves
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