Saturday saw Lymington Mariners first game for 7 weeks when they took on US Portsmouth 2 XV at Woodside Park. The opposition turned up with 13 players so it was agreed in the spirit of the game that both teams would have 14 players. Mariners had a large powerful pack and Portsmouth had a young set of backs with Portsmouth average age over 10 years younger than Mariners.
In the first half winger James Bell scored in the corner after a nicely worked backs move and scrum half Joe Rodway made a great individual try after breaking away from the base of the scrum. John West and Andy O Callaghan work tirelessly during the game and created several great line breaks. Portsmouth with the quicker backs had two break away tries in the first half and at half time the teams went in 12 -12 and the game was finely balanced.
Shortly after the restart Portsmouth’s tight head prop had an injury and without a front row substitute the game went to uncontested scrums which definitely handed the advantage to Portsmouth as the Mariners scrum machine had been totally dominate in the first half. Mariners still dominated in the lineout with good throwing from Owen Cavell, excellent jumping by Dominic Ellis and strong support play by Tim Hinman but they where unable to stop three breakaway tries from Portsmouth. Despite a valiant effort from Mariners without being able to capitilise on their forward dominance the final score was 12-33.
Mariners man of the match was scrum half Joe Rodway although a special mention to Jason Ludlow out with injury who did a lot of work during the week and on the day to ensure the match went ahead.
Mariners train at 2000hrs every Tuesday at Lymington Leisure Centre and Sunday 1030 at Woodside Park, players of all ages an ability welcome.
Mariners next match is on Saturday 6th March at Woodside Park against Bournemouth please come down and support your local rugby club.
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