Whitchurch 46 vs Spartans 21
On Saturday 28th February, Whitchurch Rugby 1s team travelled to the Midlands to play 3rd in the league Spartans (Midands), in what was billed to be a hard match to ensure Whitchurch retained league leader status.
Upon arrival at the club to warm up Whitchurch discovered the pitch they were playing on was more like a swimming pool and immediately requested transferring to the 1st team pitch, which the referee agreed to, even though it wasn’t much better. From the first whistle it was obvious Spartans were used to playing on such poorly drained pitches and took control of the match scoring and converting within 5 minutes.
But Whitchurch were not deterred, they came back fighting, camping out in Spartans 22, driving forward, until Jake Dodwell found a space to run in for Whitchurch’s first try.
Spartans were very strong on their scrums, pushing Whitchurch back on a number of occasions, however Whitchurch dominated on the lineout and their defensive line was formidable in holding back Spartans fast centre runners, time and time again.
After a lucky try by Spartan, Whitchurch dug in, with scrum half Maximilan Clarke controlling the game Whitchurch slowly crept down the pitch using their large pack to break the Spartan line and the width of the pitch with faster backs play. The constant onslaught was too much for Spartans and allowed Whitchurch Hooker Oscar Crossen to find touch for try number 2 for Whitchurch.
Spartans were able to break the line to score next with a good conversion, only to be out manoeuvred minutes later, by a piece of rugby gold from Whitchurch’s back 3 with beautiful pass play between Benedict Mason, Jake Dodwell and James Marvell who ran over the line for Whitchurch’s third try.
Only minutes from the half time whistle, Liam Udy offloaded the ball to scrum half Maximilian Clarke who ran up the pitch dodging three Spartans players before offloading to Robbie Leighton, who ran in for Whitchurch 4th try of the match.
Halftime score 21-20
The halftime team talk by Whitchurch coaches bolstered the team who came out strong and fast against a tiring Spartans team. From an early penalty Danny Nicholas found touch deep in the Spartans half, to give Whitchurch a fantastic position for a driving maul from the lineout straight over the line to give captain Ian Gillespie his first try of the match and conversion by Robbie Leighton.
Spartans kicked the ball straight to Clarke who had seen the gap in their defence and made a lovely 50/22 only for the touch judge to disagree. Upon outrage from supporters and the Whitchurch team the referee gave Spartans a penalty and an opportunity to move up the pitch, which was not capitalised upon and Whitchurch were able to take control of the game after a fantastic turnover by Oscar Crossen. The ball was passed out from the ruck to sub Will Leaver who ran the width of the pitch to pass to Alfie Liningson who ran under the posts. And a conversion by Robbie Leighton.
With a despondent and outclassed Spartan team Benedict Mason was able to run two more try’s in for Whitchurch, one from the halfway line and the other chasing a stunning cross field ball from Clarke straight into the try area for him to ground, after out running 2 of the Spartan backs. One of which was converted.
The final score was 21-46 a great win for Whitchurch, who retain the top spot for their home match again midtable Aston Old Edwardians next week. Man of the Match went to Scrum Half Maximilian Clarke
