Lymington v Bournemouth IV – Match Report

Mariners Bounce Back As Captains Try Secures Last-Gasp Victory

Lymington Mariners 37 Bournemouth IV 36

Lymington Mariners staged a magnificent come back against Bournemouth 4^th Team on Saturday to win by the narrowest of margins in a thrilling game that saw 12 tries scored.

On a perfect day for rugby, Lymington put on a stylish and determined performance, to finally bring an end to their recent run of losses, in front of a delighted and vocal crowd.

Mariners took the early initiative from a line-out inside opposition territory. Second row, Dom Ellis won the ball and was driven up field. Flanker Stuart Thomas burst through the opposition line and from the resulting quick ruck open-side flanker Andrew Peltzer powered over for the first try of the match.

Lymington soon doubled their lead from another quick ruck near the half way line. Scrum-half Joe Rodway swerved and jinked his way up the narrow blindside, passed to winger Mike Jenner who drew the covering tackle and neatly passed back to Joe for him to score in the corner.

The tide then turned against the Mariners as Bournemouth’s youthful back line started to get their hands on the ball. Two tries by the opposition, one converted, and a kicked penalty found Lymington 10-15 down with only minutes until the mid-way break.

Fortunately the Mariners’ pack found time for one final foray in to the Bournemouth half and after a string of scrums and rucks Joe Rodway again made a darting run to find the try-line and take his tally to four tries in only three matches. Fly-half Steve Green converted to put Lymington 17-15 up as the whistle blew for half time.

The second half started much like the first as Lymington’s pack took charge of proceedings and camped themselves in their favourite bottom left corner of the pitch. Power-house loose-head prop, Gary Brooks got his hands on the ball yards from the line and drove over only to be dubiously denied his score by the referee. However, from the resulting 5 yard scrum the outstanding No.8 Brendon Treacy picked up and with a cheeky dummy crossed the line to increase Mariners’ lead to 22-15.

Once again however Lymington sailed into a storm of Bournemouth retaliation as wave after wave of long range attacks by their back line saw them score three converted tries in 20 minutes. Mariners 22-36 down were once again staring defeat in the face, and to make matters worse had lost both their scrum half and flay half to injury. The patched up back-line was now made up of four wingers, an outside centre playing fly half and a No.8 in at scrum half – Lymington were taking on water but weren’t sunk yet.

With only 15 minutes to play Mariners dug deep and showed just how far they have come, in this their first season, as a team of local lads prepared to fight to their last breath for each other.

The indefatigable Lymington pack poured on the pressure, pounding at the Bournemouth defence and driving them back into the now named ‘Mariners corner’. Hooker Owen Cavell stole a Bournemouth scrum against the head, No. 8 and scrum half took the ball left to release winger Dominic Murphy into the corner. 27-36 and only ten minutes left.

Minutes later, and after a number of penetrating drives to take Mariners deep into the Bournemouth 22 second row Tim Hinman picked the ball up at the base of a ruck. He steamrollered towards the line and with a Bournemouth defender clutching desperately to his ankles reached one-handed to slam the ball down for his try. The score was now 32-36 and although just three minutes remained Lymington knew the game was theirs for the taking.

Leading his troops from the front, prop, captain, and heartbeat of the club, Jason Bolwell, collected the ball from another ruck yards from the opposition whitewash and sealed victory for Mariners as he bludgeoned his way over the line despite the best efforts of the three Bournemouth players in his way.

This was an awesome display, with both sides contributing fully to a memorable afternoon of good spirited rugby. Great performances were had by many, most notably Brendan Treacy, Joe Rodway, Jason Bolwell and Owen Cavell. But, for their collective showing of sheer determination and bounce-back-ability, the ‘man of the match’ award can only rightfully be given to the whole twenty-two player squad that pulled on the Mariners shirt for Lymington on this glorious afternoon.

Lymington’s next fixture is at 2.30pm on the 27^th March at Woodside Park against Oakmedians.

Any players out there who would like to join the club, young or old, experienced or otherwise, are very welcome. Please contact Lee Thomas on 07917556863.