Wimborne RFC

Three league matches; three victories; 26 tries and 184 points scored - the Wimborne RFC 1st XV bandwagon keeps rolling!

Old Tiffinians, who shared top spot after the 2nd round of matches in ‘Regional 2 South Central', were the visitors to Leigh Park on Saturday. The early exchanges suggested this would be a tight affair; Wimborne dominated possession, and indeed territory, but a well organised Tiffs defence proved difficult to breach. Indeed, when the breakthrough did arrive 10 minutes in, it was in quite fortuitous fashion. A spilled ball in midfield was instinctively hacked through by home second row, Kieran Mayall, and following quick recycled ball, fly-half, Tom Moysey celebrated his 100th Wimborne cap by pirouetting his way across the line for the opening score. Full back, Sam Fenton, added the straightforward extras.

The score appeared to settle Wimborne and the remainder of the first half witnessed some of the most electrifying attacking rugby seen at Leigh Park in recent times. This brand of attractive, ball-in-hand rugby requires superb levels of fitness - as well as accuracy - and it is testament to the work carried out in pre-season that Wimborne appear comfortable playing in this expansive manner. A notable feature has been the attacking interplay between forwards and backs and this was again to the fore on Saturday. Props Henry Turner and the ever-industrious George Draper set the tone combining robust carrying and deftness of handling with Rhys Gosling the first beneficiary. Superb hands and running lines in midfield with centre, Ed Elliott, and left winger, Jack Adams, heavily involved, released Gosling into space and the centre showed a clean pair of heels to the despairing defence.

Fly half, Moysey, is relishing the speed and quality of ball presented by his pack - and the returning Jamie O’Shea at 9 - and the ‘conductor in chief’ was happy to unleash his exciting youthful back division at will – 9 different try scorers on Saturday speaks for itself! Allied to this, his tactical kicking all afternoon was right ‘out of the top drawer’ and pinned Tiffs back time and again.

Further first half tries followed for Draper, O’Shea and Fenton with arguably the pick of the bunch being Ash Taylor’s neat finish following a rapier-like outside break from the in-form Gosling.

The only blight on this inspired first half performance was the sight of captain Cam Taylor limping off with what looked like a hamstring pull; everyone will hope this is a minor setback as Cam’s influence is huge, both as player and leader. Before the end of the game, the excellent Stan Vincent also succumbed to injury but not before he had skipped over for a richly deserved score.

If the result was beyond any doubt, with Wimborne’s try scoring bonus point long since secured, the second half proved a slightly more even contest.  Adams added further gloss 10 minutes after the restart with a neatly timed interception but it will be the source of some defensive ennui for the home coaches that lapses in concentration allowed Tiffs to cross for two tries of their own before the end.

There was still time for one last piece of magic: Moysey’s restart from the first Old Tiff’s try was snatched expertly from the skies by young winger Flynn Drummond who demonstrated superb athleticism and dexterity in rounding the beleaguered defence to score out wide.

Final score: Wimborne 1st XV  58 – 14 Old Tiffinians 1st XV

Tries: T. Moysey, R. Gosling, G. Draper, J. O’Shea, S. Fenton, A. Taylor, J. Adams, S. Vincent, F. Drummond

Cons: S. Fenton x 5

Pens: S. Fenton

Other scores

Wimborne 2nd XV  31 - 16 Oakmedians 1st XV

Tries: H. Teversham, J. Squires, J. Stokes, D. Coulling, V. Brooks

Cons P. Papworth x3

Wimborne 2nd XV maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a richly deserved victory over Oakmedians 1st XV at Meyrick Park. Captain and centre Hari Teversham crossed early on to open the scoring before the home side hit back with a penalty following an infringement at the breakdown. Livewire fullback Jacob Squires bagged a try to increase the gap between the sides but it took second half scores from Jay Stokes, Vinny Brooks and an excellent finish from Dan Coulling to put the game beyond doubt. Player of the match, Phil Papworth, enjoyed an exceptionally assured game at fly half with some superb tactical kicking out of hand. Lead coach, Barry Maidment, was happy with the afternoon’s work; “This was a much improved performance from last time out and if we can just reduce the penalty count and maintain continuity of selection, we will be difficult to beat”.