By Frank Stormont
February 19 2007

Warriors come home with another win after their trip to the capital. A 5 try victory that saw some good play from the side.  

London Scottish 29
Westcountry Warriors 33

 

On a weekend when Albion did not have a match the development side Westcountry Warriors travelled to the capital to play London Scottish. Playing under good conditions and with little wind and dry the Warriors played well and came away with the win. Playing for 20 minutes with a man down due to sin bins the Warriors started well despite a number of harsh decisions.

Even before a minute was on the clock Wihan Neethling was in the bin after he was penalised for a deliberate knock on in his own 22. Scottish took advantage of this with a 3 point kick to take the lead.

Warriors took control of the scoreboard on 11 minutes after a penalty was kicked to touch and a rolling maul was formed and a mass of bodies going over the line for a try with Sila Va'Enuku on top of the ball.  The try was converted by Wihan fresh from the bin. 3 - 7.

With the game going backwards and forwards Warriors were awarded a scrum in the Scottish 22 after a knock on. Jake Childs, playing at 8, picked the up the ball off the back of the scrum before charging for the line and breaking two tackles to get his second such try in as week. Converted by Wihan and taking the score to 3 - 14 after 16 minutes.

London Scottish came back quick and after Warriors were penalised for blocking they took a quick tap and made the line. With the conversion it brought the score to 10 - 14.

Just before the half hour Warriors went over with a rolling maul and a mass of bodies for Mariano Castany to score with the conversion added by Daniel Hawkes. Taking the score to 10 - 21 which is where it remained until half time.

With what could be described as the best move of the match Warriors picked the ball up in their own 22 before running the ball. with the charge headed by Mariano Castany but using 4 or five other players in the attack. Breaking tackles the ball was passed to Mike Hayes 5 metres short for him to sprint to the line and touch down. Daniel added the extras to bring the score to 10 - 28.

Again Scottish hit back with a rolling maul try which was not converted. 15 - 28

With a mid field attack Warriors again take the ball across the line with pick a drive moves with Fraser Clilverd on the end of the move but  this time the try was not converted 15 -33.

Mike Hayes was sin binned for playing on the ground after the team  had been warned.

London Scottish take more of an advantage from the extra man when a three quarter move on Warriors 22 gave rise to a converted try 22 - 33.

With 8 minutes left on the clock and Scottish attacking the Warriors line they were awarded a penalty try for continuous infringements which they duly converted to bring them within 4 points of the lead. 29 - 33.

Warriors made some good moves and kept possession of the ball for the last 8 minutes but with out any reward. They had a hard game and came away with a win in the Canterbury Shield match.

A number of the Warriors will be hoping that their performances on the pitch in London will help them in breaking into the 1st team, which may include the Newbury match next Saturday.

Team: Wihan Neethling, Tom Arscott, Arran Cruickshanks, Ross Allen, Sila Va'Enuku, Daniel Hawkes, Matt Newman, Mike Hayes, Richard Oxley, James Tichias, Ed King, Dan Smith, Mariano Castany, Frazer Clilverd, Jake Childs Replacements: David Delaney(used), Matt Tichias, Jon Fabian(used), Rob Boles, Graham Dawe(used) Ben Sangchi(used)

Scorers :- Tries Frazer Clilverd, Jake Childs, Mariano Castany, Mike Hayes, Sila Va'Enuku Conversions 2xDaniel Hawkes, 2xWihan Neethling Sin Bin Mike Hayes, Wihan Neethling