Calne Rugby Football Club Calne Rugby Football Club Calne Rugby Football Club
. News . 1st XV . 2nd XV . Juniors . Match Reports . League Table . Calendar . . Profiles . Social . Gallery . Contacts . Merchandise . History . Links .
Cooper Avon Tyres Vs. Calne
Calne blank

Calne's brave young side, consisting of 4 under 20's for the first time in anyone's memory, were given a lesson in controlled, patient rugby by CAT. Selected on the bases of their impressive performances, in friendlies earlier in the season, against Old Edwardians and Malmesbury, Mike Benson and Mike Smith made their league debuts. They were accompanied by fellow debutant Graham Neale. Dave Holmes and Mike Robinson, now established members of the team, joined the under 20 contingent.

However, the young, pacey and energetic side lacked the cohesion and experience of their opponents, but to their credit their heads never dropped and the game finished with smiles all round. Graham Neal stood out with some first class tackling his psyche not willing to let anyone by saved at least 3 further scores.

The game was not completely one sided. Calne Pressured from the kick off and forced an error. Calne set for the scrum wondering how it would hold up after being pushed all over the park in their previous meeting. It stood fast. Ian Smart's welcome return to the side made a big difference, Matt Arnold battled with an opponent far larger than he and did not budge an inch and Jason Dolman's route one ball to the number 8, Alan Wicks, was much appreciated. In attempt to gain territory fly half James Gladding opted to kick, the result was a promise of things to come. The kick went above the covering tree line and was battered by the wind that was pushing into Calne's faces. CAT used the wind to full effect keeping Calne inside their side half for the first period of the game.

CAT's back line started to take some excellent running lines and gave the youngsters in Calne's back a real testing time in defence. To their credit only one try was leaked as each time Calne managed to turn CAT over the wind prohibited any sustained release of pressure. Gladding changed his style of kicking to drill a ball into CAT's half, Pete McGarry stole the line out and from the resulting maul Ian Smart carried in to the CAT 22 and released a sublime over head pass to the support. CAT tracked back well and managed to save the score.

Half time soon followed with Calne encouraged by the late incursion and the advantage of the wind. The restart saw Calne's best period of play of the game. Gladding drove the ball down field for the backs to chance. CAT pick up and counter attacked but Neil Young stooped the move dead with a bone crunching tackle. The pack, in close support, turned CAT over to launch a counter attack of their own. CAT looked in disbelief as they were left chasing Calne's direct attack.

CAT slowly regained possession and control. Their pack worked hard to get back into Calne's half and once near the 22 the ball was released to the backs where a chip over the top was collected, after a knock on, for a score. This left the supporters of both teams in disbelief and took the last ray of hope away from Calne who new that the day just wasn't going to be their day.

CAT were very professional in the won their victory. They relentlessly ran the ball back at Calne and on four more occasions breached the Calne line with well worked overlaps. In the last of these scores saw, full back, Neil Young made a covering tackle but have to leave the field with a bloodied and broken nose to sum up Calne's day up. A day which saw many fine individual performance such as Pete McGarry's outstanding line out work and, flanker, Mike Robinson's work ethic.

However, the result clearly highlighted the need for pack to train together, get on the scrummaging machine and do some damage to the opposition in the next game. Likewise, with so many new faces in the backs Calne's running options were limited and in the bad kicking conditions they were left with no real option to clear their line. A few training session together as a unit could correct this and add another valuable weapon to their armoury

BACK

WEBSITE SPONSORS

Please tell them you saw them here!)

SAFELY-LOCKED

Specialising in all your household needs. Locks & Safes supplied and fitted. Opening & repair service. Free Estimates.
Tel/Fax: 01249 816465
Mobile: 07947 745923
keen@globalnet.co.uk
www.safely-locked.com

DYNAMIC PLASTERBOARDING

All metal systems in partitions and ceilings. Suspended ceilings Drylining. Plastering. Tape & Jointing. Covering. Screeding

All aspects of plasterboarding
Tel/Fax: 01249 813374
Mobile: 07740 604650
Mobile: 07980 624002



To become a website sponsor call Matt on 01249 812194 or email