The Nuns ended a run of 14 defeats with a draw against Dudley Kingswinford on Saturday, with the visitors scoring under the posts with the last play of the game to bring the scores level at 19 all. It was a much improved performance from the hosts through work rate, desire and a willingness to defend for long periods of play. After what has been a tough season so far the players can hold their heads high even after the heart break of missing out on a first win this season so late. The Nuns points came through tries for Elliot Brown, Arron Skyrme and Mike Volaikisuva with Turner Jones adding two conversions.
In a changed squad from the previous week the Nuns were able to recall Harvey Matkin, Sam Wallis, Arron Skyrme and Nemani Rayabo whilst also including experienced players Phil Ryan and George Wallis in the pack and Huw Thomas and Elliott Brown in the backline.
The Nuns got off to a near perfect start. After some early pressure they were awarded a penalty. The ball was sent to the corner for a lineout. This was duly won and the forwards set off on a drive from 20m out. After a quick break out Brown picked from a ruck and went through from 5m out to cross for the score. Jones added the extras to give the Nuns a 7-0 lead after 5 minutes.
This early score gave the Nuns a confidence boost and they soon added their second score of the game. Again, from a penalty sent to touch in the Dudley 22m, the line out was secured and the forwards rumbled over for a driving maul score awarded to Skyrme. Unfortunately, Jones conversion just missed but the lead was now 12-0 after 10 minutes.
Dudley got themselves back in the game on 13 minutes with a converted try of their own. Have moved themselves up the pitch they put a slide kick through and won the following chase to score. With a conversion added the score was 12-7.
The Nuns continued to put on a stronger performance than recent weeks and were winning plenty of possession. However, at times they were being let down by accuracy with the ball and couldn’t convert opportunities into scores.
Dudley got their second score of the game in the 33rd minute after a period of pressure in the Nuns 22m. They managed to cross in the corner for an unconverted try to leave the score 12-7 going into half time. Unfortunately, Sam Wallis picked up a dislocated thumb and broken hand at the same time and had to leave the field of play.
The second half got under way and both sides were being cagey in their approach with a lot at stake. It wasn’t until the 51st minute that the first points of the half came. The Nuns were defending well inside their 22m and turned over the ball at a ruck. Then, from the next ruck Mike Volaikisuva spotted a gap and set off on a 70m charge up field to score under the posts. Jones added the conversion to give the hosts a 19-12 lead.
As the game wore on Dudley started to mount an assault to bring the game level but the Nuns defence stood firm. They tackled their hearts out and kept the visitors around the 22m but never quite threatening enough. They did manage to clear their lines a few times but through a reorganised line out on the day, couldn’t take advantage of the positions to sustain attacks.
A yellow card was picked up on 60 minutes by George Wallis and the Nuns faced 10mins of defending with 14 men. The defence continued to hold firm as the game moved on. Dudley crossed the line but it was clearly held up and a goal line drop out relieved the pressure but only temporarily.
As the clock ticked down Dudley now had plenty of possession but couldn’t crack the home defence. Not until the last minute of play. From a 5m penalty the visitors finally managed to cross the try line under the posts leaving a simple conversion to be had. As the ball split the posts the final whistle blew and heart break for the Nuns with the scores tied at 19 all.
Not the result the squad worked so hard for but huge effort and improvements across the pitch.
Head Coach Huw Thomas added “I’m gutted for the lads today. They battled so hard and gave everything. To get so close to the win and miss out on the final play is tough to take. Senior players have come in today and given some confidence, experience and communication to the group. We know that in the long run the younger players need to learn from this and develop in these areas but that will take time and if we can aide that development as much as possible then we can and must. As a group it is about moving onwards in a positive manner from here to keep searching for improvement.’’
1 Ryan Marsh 2 Toby Dearden 3 Harvey Matkin 4 Sam Wallis 5 Joe Franklin 6 Ryan Iles 7 Oli Mitchell 8 Arron Skyrme 9 Turner Jones 10 Huw Thomas 11 Elliott Brown 12 Tom Eales 13 Mike Volaikisuva 14 Nemani Rayabo 15 Darcey Bunce 16 Phil Ryan 17 George Wallis 18 Tak Ch