Lymington v Oakmeadian III – Match Report

Mariners grind out win against strong opposition

Lymington Mariners 15 – Oakmeadians III 10

A sunny Saturday afternoon at Woodside Park saw Lymington Mariners show their intent for another convincing win against a youthful Oakmeadians team from all sides in the Bournemouth club.

The game started with Oakmeadians kicking off and Mariners playing the preferred format of up the hill in the first half. Some standing water on the surface came into play early on forcing handling errors and Oaks knocked on for the first scrum of the game. Previously warned of a weakened Oaks front row, Mariners backed off the pace and were driven backwards by a solid Oaks pack, that mistake was not repeated. Mariners retained their poise to win the scrum and with quick hands out wide Mike Jenner was forced into touch in the top corner. Brimming with line out confidence, MarinerMs were determined to upset the Oaks lineout. Although pressure was dully applied, Oaks managed to get the ball to their scrum half who just managed to clear the line despite the flattening tackle of hooker Owen Cavell.

Only clearing the ball just outside their 22 it was now Mariners chance to turn the screw. The resulting lineout, subtly taken by Dom Ellis and popped off the top to Justin Bloomfield at scrum half, was moved quickly through hands and Mariners camped on the Oaks 5 meter line. Brave defending just saw off an almighty effort by number 8 John West who was denied by 3 Oaks defenders just inches short of touching down. The next 5 minutes was spent going through the phases in the Oaks 22 and resulted in an inevitable penalty to Mariners for offside. The ball was promptly kicked to the corner. A well worked lineout saw Ben Bradley-Watson break up the blind side and selflessly offload to Owen Cavell who wrong-footed the Oaks defenders to open the scoring. Unfortunately the kick went wide and Mariners led 5-0.

The restart was taken soundly by Andy O’Callahan who returned with gusto, again the phases built and ball in hand both forwards and backs looked strong and confident. The ground conditions again interfered with intent and promising moves led to the ball being knocked on. This was the pattern for both sides for a short period and the deadlock was broken after an infringement by a Mariners player at a ruck. Oaks gathered themselves and kicked the points to bring the game to 5-3.

The second half began with Mariners in high spirits, playing down hill and all eyes on their favoured and now infamous Mariners Corner. It didn’t take Mariners long to turn the ball over and mount the attack that they hoped would open the floodgates. A superb pick up, one handed by Stuart Thomas saw the omni-present flanker crash through 3 tackles before setting the ruck cleanly, a few phases built and Mariners were in their corner again and smelling blood rather than the rank water that lay on the pitch. It seemed as though Oaks had smelled blood too and an off the ball incident between their Open Side Flanker and Mariners Number 8 John West saw them both removed to the bin for 10 minutes.

Mariners ran the resulting penalty and again built the phases. As the ball came back, standoff Steve Green quickly passed to inside centre Andrew Peltzer whose mammoth strength and gazelle like step took another 3 Oaks defenders over the line and scored just to the left of the posts. This time the extras were taken by Jamie Bolwell and the score was 12-3.

Shortly after the restart the Oaks scrum succumbed to the telling Mariners pressure and the game went unopposed in the tight. Mariners had to dig deep against a very youthful side and the tactics deployed by Captain Jason Bolwell were spot on. Keeping Oaks pinned inside their own 10 was allowing Mariners to rebuild momentum after their weapon-like scrum had been neutralised. Oaks, however, were not going to just roll over and a skilled interception, well supported, was too much for the cover at the back and Oaks scored under the posts and converted to bring Oaks within 2 points at 12-10.

Again O’Callahan took the restart and two Oaks players with him and the phases came again but were turned over. As Oaks tried to run the ball from just inside their own 22 Stuart Thomas threw a tackle at an Oaks attacker which made the Oaks man resemble a rag doll in the way he folded, knocking on. Mike Jenner was quick to the loose ball and was just about to pick and go when he was clattered by an Oaks defender too quick for his own good. Mariners winger Jamie Bolwell calmly took the 3 points knowing that the kick would effectively mean another win.

Special mention goes to Paul Kelly for a speedy and strong game at outside centre, James Norris who is proving solid, not only in the front row but around the pitch also and Lee Thomas at Full Back for strong and probing running. Man of the Match goes to Stuart Thomas whose input on and off the ball was immense.

Mariners next game is away to Sandown and Shanklin on 10th April will be followed by a home coming game at Woodside Park on 24th April against a touring side, Deeping RFC from Peterborough.

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 or visit www.lymingtonmarinersrfc.wordpress.com for more details.