Nuneaton 36 Oadby Wyggestonians 9

Nuneaton made it back to back wins for the first time this season with a bonus point 36-9 victory over Oadby Wyggestonians at Liberty Way on Saturday. With five tries from Ben Holmes, Jamie Coburn, Travis Bennett-Allcock, Tom Eales and Toby Dearden plus four conversions and a penalty for Lucas Brindley moved the Nuns to three wins from five games in the first month of the season.

There was a large crowd in attendance with the Nuneaton Beer Festival in full flow and the draw of the first game on the Stadium pitch of the season.

The Nuns got the ball rolling on 7 minutes. Oadby had missed a penalty shot at goal but after Tom Aherne burst up the middle of the pitch the ball was fed to scrum half Coburn. He was caught 5m from the line but after a couple of recycled phases Ben Holmes burrowed his way over the line for a try converted by Lucas Brindley, 7-0.

Oadby got themselves in the game with a penalty on 9 minutes, 7-3.

Just a few minutes later the Nuns scored again. Full back Brindley collected a deep kick; he fed Ryan Southall who carried the play towards half way and then passed on to Travis Bennett-Allcock who went on a mazy wing down the touchline beating several defenders. After chipping the last man the ball bounced up for Jamie Coburn to collect and cross in the corner for an unconverted try on 13 minutes, 14-3.

Oadby had their moments and were pressurising the set scrum but couldn’t break into the Nuns 22m. They responded with penalty kicks on 17 and 21 minutes but these were the last time they’d trouble the scoreboard, 14-9 on 21 minutes.

The Nuns third try of the half came on 23minutes. Having just conceded a penalty, they kicked off to Oadby. Brindley returned the clearing kick, beating a couple of defenders to feed Bennett-Allcock who ran in from 25m near the posts with the conversion taking the score to 19-9.
The Nuns created more opportunities as the half went on but in-accuracies with the ball were thwarting their efforts to extend their lead before half time.

The second half started with the Nuns initially on the front foot but unable to capitalise on some territory and possession. After a couple of penalties Oadby opted for a shot at goal but were unsuccessful.

The Nuns picked up their next points on 55 minutes. Under pressure, the visitors won a lineout in their own 22m. However, they weren’t able to clear with distance from the kick and Travis Bennett-Allcock returned the kick. He beat a couple of defenders then put centre Tom Eales into space to run in from 20m. Brindley added the conversion to secure a try bonus point and the lead to 26-9.

A few minutes later and the hosts were awarded a penalty 30m out and in front of the posts. Brindley stepped up and dissected the post to bring the score to 29-9 on 61minutes.

The final score of the game came on 65minutes. The Nuns again had the visitors under pressure and when awarded a penalty the ball was put to the corner. The lineout was won and from the well set maul, the Nuns crossed the line with hooker Toby Dearden was the beneficiary. Brindley added the extras taking the score to 36-9.

The last stages of the game saw the Nuns create some pressure but again, they were unable to add to their score.

Head coach Huw Thomas thoughts “We didn’t get our scrum working today which gave them a foot hold in the game but we also showed how dangerous we can be in broken play with ball in hand. Even with a bonus point win the guys were a bit down because our error count was high and we left quite a few opportunities to score out there. This shows the standards they have for themselves though and we will continue to work to improve on this. Another real positive was our fist shut out in defence of the season. We are also proud to have a clean sweep with the Colts winning a derby with Broadstreet and the Saxons getting their first win at Towcestrians.”

1 Ben Holmes 2 Toby Dearden 3 Fin Aherne 4 Tom Aherne 5 James Lloyd 6 Todd Bullions 7 Dan Southall 8 George Wallis 9 Jamie Coburn 10 Max Carter 11 Travis Bennett-Allcock 12 Tom Eales 13 Stewart Davies 14 Ryan Southall 15 Lucas Brindley; 16 James Redman 17 Huw Thomas 18 Elliott Brown