Runwell Wyverns 15 East London 32
A return to league action for Runwell saw them entertain East London. The match started with both sides battling for the upper hand. The stout and much improved Runwell kept up battling and began to apply more and more pressure on the East London defence. However a defensive lapse saw East London score a break away try from deep inside their own half, which was duly converted. The Runwell forwards started again led by man of the match and captain Pete Latchford making surging forays into the East London half. Unfortunately a moment of indecision let East London break away and score another converted try. Runwell fought back with a well worked try out wide by Rob Lagden, Robin Groves missed the conversion but 5 minutes later scored a penalty to make the score 14 – 8. Runwell kept up the pressure with surging forward play, however the hard work was undone when East London scored a further try to take a half time 21 – 8 lead. Second half and into a stronger wing than in a room at a baked bean eating convention Runwell pressed on and dominated the second half, however a lack of discipline enabled East London to score 2 penalties and an unconverted try to stretch to a 32 – 8 lead. With Andy Capp forced to come out of retirement to run the line and Roy Coombes doing his Long John Silver impression on the line the valiant Wyverns hit back with a driving maul which saw Rob Latchford go over the line for a try which was converted by Shane Jones to leave the final score 32 – 15. A much better display from Wyverns and surely now the only way is up!
Runwell Wyverns 31 Ipswich YM 26
After recent disappointing results, Runwell entertained Ipswich in the National Cup. Early running rugby from Ipswich was defended valiantly by Wyverns and eventually countered to allow number 8 Rob Latchford to power through for the first score, Robin Groves converted who also added to the lead with his own try and conversion 2 minutes later. Ipswich continued to come up against a firm tackling Runwell defensive line. Harry Orme went over at the end of the half to give a 19 – 0 half time lead. Ipswich raised the tempo in the 2nd half and pushed Wyverns with some fast running rugby and were rewarded with a converted try. Brad Dunsford and Harry Orme went over again with Robin Groves converting the 2nd kick giving Wyverns a comfortable 31 – 7lead. Ipswich were not finished though, and battled on to score 3 tries and 2 conversions to make for a tense last 5 minutes finishing in the win and the next round to look forwards to for Runwell.
Burnham 36 Runwell Wyverns 14
After last
week loss Runwell Wyverns played a tough fixture away at Burnham. A close
opening 15 minutes eventually saw Burnham take the lead 5-0. Wyverns
pushed on and played predominantly in the Burnham half until a break away try
from the Burnham 5 metre line gave Burnham a 10-0 lead.
Wyverns hit
back through a try from Rob Lagden which was converted by Shane Jones.
Unfortunately the half ended too soon as the Runwell forwards had gained
momentum and continued to press on looking to level the score.
In the 2nd half Burnham upped the tempo and scored a quick succession of tries and took a commanding 36-7 lead. Shane Jones scored and converted a last minute try to leave the final score 36-14
Pegasus Palmerians started the stronger side
in a first half continually punctuated by penalties as both sides came to grips
with the new ELV’s and the referees new instructions however both teams
created chances with neither team able to convert these into points until a
break from the Pegasus backs created an opportunity for their forwards to crash
over for a try following a ruck close to the line which was converted. Pegasus
where hit by a number of injuries during the first half which saw them draw
heavily on their bench early in the game an advantage Runwell where able to take
advantage of during the 2nd half.
Runwell shuffled their line up at half time
and following strong runs from James Alan and Michael De Martino and
better ball retention from the forwards they where able to provide a first
scoring opportunity for stand in captain Neil Shaftain who crashed through
several Pegasus tackles from the 22yd line to score Runwell’s first points.
Last years top points scorer Shane Jones then stepped up to slot the conversion
and draw the scores level. Runwell continued to apply pressure with their
forwards gaining more dominance in the contact situations and able to call on
their bench for fresh legs. Following a ruck the ball was spread along the back
line where Prop Darren Lang drew the Pegasus defence and popped to Number 8 Roy
Coombes who was tackled just short of the line, however quickly arriving scrum
half Bradleigh Dunsford was able to pick up and dive in at the corner. Shane
Jones missed the conversion from out on the touchline however a further penalty
conversion later in the game moved Runwell Wyverns 8 points ahead a lead they
where able to maintain until the final whistle.