Sat 9 Nov 2024
Winscombe 1st XV entertained Newton Abbot at the weekend and cemented their place mid table in Regional 2 Tribute South West with an impressive win.
A common feature at sports grounds across the country this weekend was the commemoration of the war dead and Longfield was no exception with both teams and spectators standing in respectful silence prior to the match.
Winscombe started strongly and made the first impression on the scoreboard with a well taken long range penalty by winger Joe Burgess. Soon after a break down the left touchline from Winscombe flanker Oscar Browne saw scrum half Lewis Podpadec go clear for the first try of the game, again neatly converted by Burgess.
Winscombe continued to press and fed off their opponents mistakes scoring two further tries in quick order, firstly through Oscar Browne who ripped the ball on halfway before battling his way to the line and then through Will Pearce who chased his own kick through to ground the ball in the left corner.
As half-time approached Newton Abbot gathered themselves and after putting together some good phases of play were rewarded with their opening try, eventually going into the break 22-5 down.
Winscombe started the second period on the front foot with Burgess, who was impressive throughout the game, starting and finishing a fine move after collecting a loose ball on halfway, scoring under the posts and converting his own try. He soon added a second penalty from the 22 after Newton Abbot were penalised for holding on.
As the match moved into its final quarter the visitors rallied. Following some key replacements the Newton Abbot scrum looked to be transformed and became a force that Winscombe struggled to contain. A series of penalties saw the visitors move up field where they were rewarded with a converted try scored off the back of a driving maul. The score was soon cancelled, however, when replacement centre Jim Merryfield gathered a dropped ball and fed winger Pearce to score his second beneath the posts.
Finishing the stronger team, Newton Abbot once again exerted dominance in the set piece and through a succession of scrum penalties moved into striking range of the home try line, eventually driving over for the last score of the match. The Thatchers Cider man of the match award going to Winscombe No.8 Ewan Griffith who put in a massive shift, battling relentlessly throughout in both defence and attack.
Winscombe travel to North Cornwall in a week’s time to take on Wadebridge, who now count long serving ex 1st team captain and coach Owain Howell in their number.
