Lymington v Camberley Vets – Match Report

Lymington Turns Out To Celebrate Birth Of A New Rugby Club

Lymington Mariners 22 – 19 Camberley Vets

Not quite the new-born baby, but like a vintage car emerging from the garage where it has sat dormant for a decade, the new Lymington Mariners veterans rugby team coughed and spluttered into action on Saturday.

Slightly shocked at the big home crowd of over 250, Lymington took to the pitch for their inaugural fixture, against Camberley Vets. It took some time to let oil circulate around the old engine and get all cylinders firing clearly.

Playing uphill in the first half there were several glimpses of what the old engine was capable of, but the first quarter was punctuated by the memory fade of several years watching but not playing. Lymington made several early mistakes in decisions and handling, which the opposition had capitalised upon. Two tries, one of them converted, left the mariners 0-12 down and with some serious tuning required.

Lymington settled with solid powerful scrummaging and rucking. Passes became crisp and handling safe, as they forged a path into the Camberley 22, When the opposition smothered the ball at the break-down, Mariners captain Adam Darbyshire chose to steady the ship, kick for goal, and scored the new club’s first ever points.

Lymington pressed to the opposition 22 again, and following several phases of play, Bryn Darbyshire burst over to score beneath the posts. Brother Adam converted.

Further pressure led to a number of promising attacks, with Phil Jenner driving through the defence bundling his eventual tackler over the line to score a second try for the home side. The try converted, Lymington moved into the lead at 17-12.

Playing downhill in the second period Lymington maintained the upper hand. A clearance kick by the Camberley scrum half, following pressure at a lineout, fell to Bryn Darbyshire who demonstrated evasive running weaving his way through the Camberley defence to score his second try in the corner, extending the score to 22-12.

Further Lymington replacements were used, including club secretary Jason Ludlow desperate to play despite bruised ribs and fellow board member Iain Wood risking 10 minutes despite his £3k nose job and pressure form his wife.

Lymington continued to apply pressure but a slight disorganisation allowed Camberley to break from their own 22 to score beneath the posts with the try converted to bring the score to 22-19.

Further pressure from Lymington in the final minutes failed to produce any further score, and all went home happy, if a little stiffer than the last time they played.