by Tony Aldridge
| 2009/10/17 | Eton Manor | 28 | Welwyn 2009/2010 | 9 |
By Gary Peterkin
Round 7 of London 1 North campaign saw Welwyn travel to Eton Manor for what promised to be an edgy encounter, given that the 2 sides were in the bottom 2 slots in the League Table at the start of play. And so it proved for much of the game with neither side able to establish any ascendancy. Both sides played some nervy rugby, with aimless kicking exchanges between the 22M areas, and any enterprise generally thwarted by poor handling. Welwyn conceded a penalty on the edge of their 22 to give the hosts an early 3 point lead, but thereafter there was a passage of fairly shapeless play which Welwyn just about dominated without any return, until about 20 minutes in when a ball put deep into Manor's 22 was charged down by Peter Elliott, exerting pressure on the home team's defence from which they concede a penalty for off-side, which Inside Centre James Littlejohn converted to bring the scores level at 3-3.
However, immediately from the restart, some poor handling puts Welwyn back under pressure, and they in turn conceded a soft penalty to allow Manor to regain the lead.
Welwyn performed well in the set piece and Skipper Simon Banks was able to take several Manor scrums against the head. However, on 30 minutes from a Welwyn scrum secured easily enough, No 8 Owen Hopley picked up at the base but was isolated and conceded a penalty. Manor kicked to touch inside Welwyn's 22, and from the ensuing lineout, a simple move and some missed tackles allowed the Manor fly half to score in the right hand corner, taking the score to 11-3. At the same time, the referee, losing patience with Welwyn's persistent infringements at the breakdown, decided to gibe Flanker Andy Hawkins a 10 minute rest, with 5 minutes to go to the interval.
Further opportunities on both side went begging, but Welwyn had the final say of the half when Manor were penalised 30 metres out from their posts, and Littlejohn made no mistake with the kick, to bring Welwyn back to 11-6 at half-time.
Welwyn withstood some concerted pressure early in the second half, but a combination of some resolute defence and some squandered opportunities meant no further points were conceded before Hawkins re-entered the fray to return Welwyn to full strength. However, this changed all too soon when the Hobbs Way side were put under pressure for the first time on their own scrum, Hopley managed to clean up a scrum in Welwyn's 22, but the clearance went only as far as the Manor 7, who was lively all afternoon. Welwyn failed to neutralise this threat, and after 2 additional phases, Manor's big No 4 was able to crash over for a try, duly converted by the fly half to take the score to 18-6, 10 minutes into the second half.
Welwyn responded strongly and pushed deep into Manor territory, the impressive Littlejohn constantly asking questions of Manor's defence and on 20 minutes a clever chip kick yields another penalty inside Manors 22 to give the Welwyn 12 a simple opportunity to add to his tally and take the score to 18-9.
Once again, however, no sooner had Welwyn scored than Manor hit straight back with the simplest of tries from a scrum, straightforward switch move and a try under the posts, to move the score on to 25-9.
The final score of the match came again from the restart. Manor knocked on to give Welwyn put in to a scrum
30 metres out from their posts, the ball popped out of the scrum, Welwyn's No 8 regathered but was penalised for not releasing. Manor's 10 converted the penalty to take the score to 28-9.
Although Welwyn continued to show plenty of endeavour and enjoy their share of possession and territory, the story of their afternoon was too many basic mistakes as successive opportunities broke down due to handling errors.
Nevertheless, in light of their difficult start to the season, and the manner of recent performances, Welwyn will take much heart from a markedly improved team performance, and the prospect of brighter days ahead as they continue through what will continue to be a difficult season.
Next Saturday Welwyn entertain League 1 newcomers Rochford 100 at Hobbs Way.