Verwood 1^st XV 0 – 51 Marlborough 1^st XV

Marlborough travelled to Dorset for the 2^nd time in a month to take on Verwood in the Semi Final of the Wilts / Dorset plate, looking to maintain their recent good run of form and book their place in the final for the 2^nd successive year.

The game started brightly for Marlborough with number 8 Chris Patterson gathering the Verwood kick off and running the ball back for a great individual try. Unfortunately the conversion was missed. This seemed to set the tone for the game, with the Marlborough forwards being dominant throughout. Marlborough’s second try of the game came shortly afterwards, with the driving maul, one of Marlborough’s weapons this season, making hard yards, with 2^nd row Trevor Clarkson breaking off near the line to crash over. This time the conversion was successful, to give Marlborough a 12-0 lead. Verwood looked dangerous when they got the ball to their backs who attacked with pace, but found the Marlborough backs in great defensive form, stopping any threat quickly. It was only a matter of time until Marlborough scored another try, the next try of the half coming from fly half John Crowe, who crashed over from the base of a ruck. Marlborough were not finished for the half, and 2 late tries from wing Nathan Morgan, both scored in the corner after great forward play and slick handling in the backs, left Marlborough with a 29-0 half time lead.

Marlborough knew they would have to weather a storm for the first few minutes of the 2^nd half, as a determined Verwood looked to get back into the game. Verwood tried to kick for territory but found touch hard to come by on a huge pitch, and any kick over was dealt with by full back Laurence Baker. Verwoods’ best attempt to score came from a break out of their half, with their backs combining well and sending their centre through a gap. However Baker covered back well, and held the man up over the line to keep the Verwood score to nil.

Marlborough’s first score of the 2^nd half came after 10 minutes, with the forwards again dominating in the tight play. Prop Kevin Pike crashed through a tackle only to be held up short of the line, but with an outrageous offload out the back of the tackle, managed to squeeze the ball to winger Morgan, who went over in the corner to complete his hat trick.

This try seemed to demoralise Verwood, and invigorate Marlborough, who continued their dominance. Further tries followed for skipper Jonny Mantle, a second from Patterson, before centre Mike Hill finished things off, beating his man to score with the final play of the game.

Marlborough can now look forward to the final, against Swindon College Old Boys, scheduled for 23^rd February, time and venue to be confirmed.

This Saturday Marlborough host Cricklade, looking for another league victory. Kick off is 2.30pm at the common. The clubs’ second string travel to Aldbourne.

Marlborough team vs Verwood:

Trevaskis, Whatley, Pike, Clarkson, Pittams, Clancy, Mitchell, Patterson; Lucas, Crowe, Mantle, Hill, Stacey, Morgan, Baker.

Subs: Lemon, Dobie