Whitchurch 45 vs Shrewsbury 12
This was the first time Whitchurch have played Shrewsbury in a competitive fixture since the Shropshire cup days in the 90’s so good to welcome the Shropshire rivals to Edgeley Park. The visitors started the better receiving the ball from the kick off and their outside centre ran from within his own half breaking through some poor Whitchurch tackles to open the scoring with a try under the posts in the first minute which was converted to give them the early advantage.
It only took the home side 5 minutes to open their try account when the ball was passed along the backs to winger Caeran Dunne to score in the corner. The conversion was missed but only 3 minutes later Liam Udy made a good run to pass on to man of the match Alfie Linnington who offloaded brilliantly in the tackle to Caeran Dunne to score his second of the game in the corner.
Both teams then cancelled themselves out in the next 15 minutes before Jake Dodwell broke down the wing and was stopped just short of the line by the Shrewsbury full back but captain Ina Gillespie was there to pick the ball up and drive over for the third try which was converted by Robbie Leighton. Shrewsbury then got there strong running backs attacking the home defence and broke through on the half hour to score another try to bring them back into the game just 5 points behind. Whitchurch kept the pressure on and were awarded a penalty and they took the opportunity to kick for goal to keep the scoreboard ticking over with Leighton converting from just outside the 22-metre line. Both teams had opportunity to score more tries but not passing the ball wide earlier cost them as both defences were on good form. Whitchurch were awarded another penalty for not releasing and Leighton kicked successfully again to give the reds a half time lead of 23:7.
The second half started with the home team looking the more likely to score and following a penalty kick to the corner Oscar Crossen scored from the driving maul following the lineout. Harry Jackson then scored the next try after a good run by Ben Mason who managed to get the ball out to Jackson to score in the corner. Then the Whitchurch pack drove over from a 5 metre scrum with Liam Udy touching down again to far away to be converted. Just before the final whistle Danny Nicholas rounded off the day with a neat try under the posts following a great show and go to completely off foot the defence. He then converted to make the final score 45:12
This was an impressive performance against a good Shrewsbury team who were just 3 points behind us in the league. It’s good to see 5 of last year’s colts Caeran Dunne, Harry Jackson, Henry Appleby, Max Clarke, and Oscar Crossen stepping up and holding their own in the 1st team, 3 of them scoring tries. These are the future of the club and hopefully they stay with for a while. There were also 7 other colts representing the club today in the second and third teams. Club director of rugby Danny Matthews is having a tough call with selection this year as there is so much competition for places and big numbers training and so pleasing to see 3 teams out again. There is also a ladies team hoping to get a touch rugby side going. They had 26 at their first training last Thursday night, anyone interested in joining, no experience needed please come down for 7pm on any Thursday.
The second team were away against Aldridge and unfortunately after building a 14 : 10 lead with tries from Dom Freer Carmichael and James Mallin the game was abandoned just before half time following a serious neck injury to one of their props. Thankfully he was nor seriously hurt.
The third team had a difficult game against a Shrewsbury second team who have gone unbeaten all season in the Staffordshire merit table but due to a cancellation of a fixture were available for a friendly. Shrewsbury made the running and scored first but a battling Whitchurch team came out 13:12 winners with tries from Andrew Moulton (Chubz) and James Marvel and a penalty by Marvel.
Nest week the first team are away at Tamworth whilst the second’s are at home against Newcastle 3rd’s. kicking off at 2:15 pm.
