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Southam RUFC |
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Match Reports |
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Saturday November 25th IN-FORM Southam stepped up their Midlands Five West (South) title bid with a splendid victory over previously unbeaten leaders Woodrush on Saturday. The impressive success was built around a fine display of attacking rugby in the first half and a solid" defensive performance against the elements after the interval. Southam, who were quickly into their stride, took the lead after ten minutes when a scrummage produced good ball and, as the maul formed, scrum-half Rob Pelter used prop Dan Winfield as a decoy and fed hooker Gareth Andrews who dived over for a well worked try which centre Roger Killick converted. The advantage was deservedly increased shortly after when a crunching midfield tackle by centre Pete Burnell caused the visitors to concede a penalty which Killick slotted over. The Southam pack were tremendous, with flanker Charlie Richardson tackling with power and determination, while fellow back row men Ed Ellis and Danny Batchelor made plenty of ground with the ball in hand. Killick kicked another penalty from 30 metres and, along with veteran fly-half Don Smith, used the wind to good effect with some fine line kit-king which kept Woodrush pinned inside their own half. A clean lineout take by Ellis was followed by quick ball down the line and Burnell fed Killick who burst through to score a marvellous try wide out for an 18-0 interval lead. Woodrush bit back with a converted try five minutes into the second half but Southam cleverly kept possession as all the home forwards did their bit and the visitors were starved of the ball. The visitors looked likely to score a try when Burnell killed the ball in the tackle and Southam received a let-off as the resulting penalty could easily have been seven points. But Southam battled well and deservedly held on to put their promotion push firmly back on track. Andrews and Richardson were outstanding in the loose, while Burnell and Killick also caught the eye for Southam who will miss young centre Ollie Perkins for the rest of the season after he suffered crushed toes in an accident at work. • Southam 2nds, inspired by prop Simon Dommit and hooker Bruce Childs, enjoyed 13-3 success over Old Silhillians. Scrum-half Mark Harvey, who kicked a penalty, set up tries for wing Luke Moran and flanker Damian Taylor. • The 3rds completed a second successive clean sweep for the club by defeating Warwickian 2nds 34-12. Try scorers were Matt Crowther 2, Jim Cross, John Abraham, Tim Gray and Rick Frogley. Crowther, who was outstanding alongside" fellow youngster Toi^i Haigh, also kicked two conversions. |
