WELWYN RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
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Welwyn 14 Tring 19
Welwyn threw away a nine-point lead at home to Tring to fall further behind in the race for promotion. The hosts commanded a 14-5 lead at one point during the game, but suicidal defending gifted the visitors the win.
The Tring forwards were penalised on a number of occasions for infringements in the ruck in this top-of-the-table clash. And it was from one these infractions that Jon Child put in an excellent kick to take play within 15 metres of the visitors' goal line. Ian Ward won the line-out and the ball was passed sweetly along the three-quarters to Alex Virgoleux, who evaded several tackles to score halfway between the posts and the touchline. Gareth Hughes converted to put Welwyn 7-0 ahead after 20 minutes play.
The game settled in midfield for a while until the visiting full back set up another attack, which took play into Welwyn territory. From a scrum on the right the ball was moved quickly across the field and a try looked on, but the scoring pass to the right wing was dropped and the ball rolled into touch. But Tring were not to be denied and from untidy line-out the ball ran loose for the outside half to pick up and jink through to score an unconverted try.
After this play moved between the two 25 metre lines and both teams missed penalties. With half-time approaching, a poor drop out allowed Tring to set up another attack, but good tackling prevented another score. Both teams had played good rugby and on the balance of play the Handside club deserved their slender lead.
Welwyn started strongly after the interval, taking play deep inside the opposition half. Good ball won on the right saw Hughes put a high, well-placed cross kick out to the left wing. Under pressure from his opposite number Luke Williams just failed to gather the ball on the line and it rolled into touch. From the line-out the jumpers were unable to take the ball cleanly and Rob James grabbed it before crossing for a try 20 metres in from touch. Hughes converted to increase the Welwyn lead to 14-5.
Welwyn didn't take the ball cleanly from the restart and Tring took full advantage, scoring after several passes inside for a converted try to make the score 14-12. More pressure by Welwyn saw Tring penalised for a line-out violation, but Hughes put his kick just wide. Then the Tring right wing lofted a high kick down the touchline.
The hosts failed to collect the ball and the visitors administered capital punishment. A successful conversion gave Tring the lead for the first time in the game. Before the final whistle Mark Cullen was given a yellow card for a foot infringement in the ruck. The home side then huffed and puffed but couldn't score again to save the game.
Welwyn threw away a nine-point lead at home to Tring to fall further behind in the race for promotion. The hosts commanded a 14-5 lead at one point during the game, but suicidal defending gifted the visitors the win.
The Tring forwards were penalised on a number of occasions for infringements in the ruck in this top-of-the-table clash. And it was from one these infractions that Jon Child put in an excellent kick to take play within 15 metres of the visitors' goal line. Ian Ward won the line-out and the ball was passed sweetly along the three-quarters to Alex Virgoleux, who evaded several tackles to score halfway between the posts and the touchline. Gareth Hughes converted to put Welwyn 7-0 ahead after 20 minutes play.
The game settled in midfield for a while until the visiting full back set up another attack, which took play into Welwyn territory. From a scrum on the right the ball was moved quickly across the field and a try looked on, but the scoring pass to the right wing was dropped and the ball rolled into touch. But Tring were not to be denied and from untidy line-out the ball ran loose for the outside half to pick up and jink through to score an unconverted try.
After this play moved between the two 25 metre lines and both teams missed penalties. With half-time approaching, a poor drop out allowed Tring to set up another attack, but good tackling prevented another score. Both teams had played good rugby and on the balance of play the Handside club deserved their slender lead.
Welwyn started strongly after the interval, taking play deep inside the opposition half. Good ball won on the right saw Hughes put a high, well-placed cross kick out to the left wing. Under pressure from his opposite number Luke Williams just failed to gather the ball on the line and it rolled into touch. From the line-out the jumpers were unable to take the ball cleanly and Rob James grabbed it before crossing for a try 20 metres in from touch. Hughes converted to increase the Welwyn lead to 14-5.
Welwyn didn't take the ball cleanly from the restart and Tring took full advantage, scoring after several passes inside for a converted try to make the score 14-12. More pressure by Welwyn saw Tring penalised for a line-out violation, but Hughes put his kick just wide. Then the Tring right wing lofted a high kick down the touchline.
The hosts failed to collect the ball and the visitors administered capital punishment. A successful conversion gave Tring the lead for the first time in the game. Before the final whistle Mark Cullen was given a yellow card for a foot infringement in the ruck. The home side then huffed and puffed but couldn't score again to save the game.