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Warwickshire 31 Hampshire 24.

Warwickshire 31 Hampshire 24.

Huw Thomas21 May 2018 - 14:06
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WARWICKSHIRE BATTLE TO A TWICKENHAM FINAL. Many thanks to Bob Hansford for the report

Warwickshire 31 Hampshire 24.

WARWICKSHIRE BATTLE TO A TWICKENHAM FINAL.

Seven Nuns took part in this epic encounter that puts Warwickshire Rugby back on the map.

In a see-saw battle in the sun Warwickshire hung on for victory in a tense exciting game. With the winners guaranteed a place in the Division 2 Final of the Bill Beaumont Senior Mens County Championship at Twickenham - the stakes were high.

In ideal conditions Warwickshire made an early impression at the set scrum and maul driving the opposition into disarray. However the visitors quickly showed where their strength lay as they broke out of their own half and ran the ball 70 metres and only desperate defence kept Wayne Dugan from scoring. Moments later a forward pass prevented the visitors from scoring as they continued to apply pressure. The game had started at a frenetic pace and was to continue that way throughout. On 8 minutes Warwickshire failed to press home an advantage when a penalty to touch was missed and Hampshire ran the ball out of defence. A lineout opportunity was missed by the homeside and the visitors took full advantage. Centre Jacob Knight cut through an unusually static defence to score a try which Joel Knight easily converted. Warwickshire hit back almost immediately. Winger Josh D’Arcy cut through the Hampshire defence and good support play allowed winger James Neal to score and Dan O’Brien added the conversion to bring the scores level. Both sides continued to attack at any opportunity. After a loose pass the visitors won the ball and a penalty but kicker Joel Knight couldn’t add to the scoring. Another Hampshire attack took them close to the try line and only desperate defence prevented a try although Dan O’Brien was yellow carded for his part in the heroics. Jacob Knight kicked the resultant penalty and the visitors led 10-7. Down to 14 men surprisingly Warwickshire went on the attack and they were nearly punished for their adventurous attitude. Losing the ball in the tackle Hampshire raced 60 metres upfield and only a try saving tackle from captain Elliot Brown prevented the visitors adding to their narrow lead. With 10 minutes of the first half remaining Hampshire did extend their lead. Replacement George Primett forced his way over from short range and with the conversion Warwickshire trailed 7-17. In the warm weather replacements were being regularly used by both sides. With 6 minutes of the half left the homesides hooker Dale Bowyer showed pace and strength to charge over for a try converted by Rory Vowles. The game seemed to centre on Hampshire’s electric pace in the backs and Warwickshire’s powerful forwards. After a 40 metre rolling maul by the homeside, Vowles kicked a penalty to bring the scores level at the interval - 17-17.

It was Warwickshire that started the second half in control. A surprisingly lack lustre Hampshire were slow to react as Rudi Reid powered his way deep into the 22 and with the tryline seemingly at his mercy threw a pass to an imaginary winger. It wasn’t long before all Reids good work paid off. The pack combined and James Moreton crashed over. O’Brien added the conversion from the touchline and the homeside were in the ascendancy. More good work from Reid was wasted as the ball was lost ending a promising attack. With veteran Phil Reed on for Moses Liwaliwa Warwickshire continued to attack and with a penalty kick to the corner they heaped more pressure on a wilting Hampshire defence. With the ball won from the lineout winger Nyle Beckett scored in the corner and importantly O’Brien again added the conversion from the touchline. In just 5 minutes the homeside had scored two converted tries to stamp their authority on the game and the dream of playing at

Twickenham was there for the taking. Perhaps Hampshire’s decision to leave the field at halftime for the shade of the changing rooms had dimmed their senses. Having quickly conceded 14 points they needed to get back in the game and soon. They played to their strength - their backs – and threatened the Warwickshire line. On 53 minutes they broke through. Jacob Knight created space and No.8 Liam Perkins strode in for a converted try. Game on. With powerful running it was only unforced errors that stopped the visitors from adding to their score. However homeside battled bravely with coach Huw Thomas ringing the changes to bolster his team in the strength sapping conditions. Hampshire thought they had scored a try but an Assistant Referees intervention wiped out that score and Warwickshire relieved the pressure with a clearing penalty kick. As much as the visitors tried they could not breach a resolute defence and despite some nervous moments Warwickshire saw out time for a memorable win and a trip to Twickenham.

Team : Gonsalves (Rugby Lions), Bowyer (Earlsdon), Greening (Nuneaton), Moreton (Broadstreet), Weaver (Bham & Solihull), Reid (Nuneaton), McNulty (Coventry), Munro (Rugby Lions), Smitham (Nuneaton), O’Brien (Newbold), D’Arcy (Earlsdon), Liwaliwa & Brown capt (both Nuneaton), Neal (Coventry), Vowles (Nuneaton).

Replacements: Truslove, Dodd & Beckett (all Broadstreet), Holmes (Nuneaton), Walton & Reed (both Newbold) & Lloyd (Southam).

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