Whitchurch 22 vs Old Edwardians 19

On Saturday 7th March Whitchurch played Aston Old Edwardians at home.

Whitchurch kicked off to AOE, who ran straight into the dominant defensive line Whitchurch has developed throughout this season. 

AOE were consistent in their attempt to push through Whitchurch’s line, their only break being achieved when they were awarded numerous penalties and they were able to kick down field, however Whitchurch continually counter attacked moving straight back up the field. 

Whitchurch were eventually rewarded with a try by Captain Ian Gillespie from a textbook line out and driven over the AOE try line.

Whitchurch showed why they were top of the league through fantastic set plays, driving AOE off the ball on scrums to turnover their advantage, to getting Henry Appleby into tactical positions to interfere with the AOE lineout to gain control.   Even with AOE on Whitchurch Try line, Captain and man of the match Ian Gillespie made a fantastic break to move the ball up the pitch into safety before AOE were able to stop the team’s forward momentum.

However, Whitchurch were let down repeatedly with the number of penalties awarded against them, giving AOE opportunity after opportunity to push forward, each time Whitchurch were able to retake control and through fast play move the ball away from danger, before the ball was handed back to AOE through another penalty. 

Alfie Linington was the first of the Whitchurch players to be yellow carded.

Once he was back on the pitch, Liam Undy and Rob Leighton were given yellows, and a penalty try was awarded to AOE on the stroke of half time. 

The half time team talk, slowed the team down and with a reorganisation of players in the backs to allow for the missing number 10 Whitchurch resumed their authority of the game.  However, with another barrage of penalties against them it was hard to maintain consistency and AOE were able to capitalise and score the first try of the second half and convert.

The Whitchurch team showed their professionalism in not allowing the consistent bombardment of penalties awarded against them to affect their game play. They continued to play their game, following the game plan, moving the ball around the pitch and controlling the match.

It took a further 10 minutes before Whitchurch were able to pull another try back, a forward’s play of passing and mauling saw prop Stephen Bloore take the ball over the try line. For a convertion by Robbie Leighton

This was closely followed by number 8 Liam Udy scoring on his final match for Whitchurch.

AOE were able to pull another back against the tide of play before, Whitchurch winning try came from the foresight of number 14 Jake Dodwell who chipped the ball for the 3 back row player to chase through a tiring AOB team to be touched down by Maximilian Clarke.

Final score Whitchurch 22 – Aston Old Edwardians 19.

There is no match for either team next week.