Grove 1XV open 09-10 League campaign with win over MK

The 1st half from Grove was exceptional, with the forwards working very hard and dominating the MK pack at the ruck. The scoring opened in th 4th minute, with George Rautenbach running off Roger Sevier’s inside shoulder from a lineout and scything through to score near the posts. An MK player was sin-binned for a late challenge on Rautenbach after he had scored. Grove’s second try came 10 minutes later from a lineout 5 metres from the MK line. Prop Richard Keen orced his way over the line, carrying several defenders with him and this was quickly followed by a try from No.8 Jamie Fredericks, who latched on to a pass following a break by flanker Guy Nichol, who was outstanding throughout the game. MK hit back just before the break with a try from winger Dan Walker to get them on the scoreboard, but the 1st half was convincing from Grove and they turned around 27-5 up, with Roger Sevier’s boot unerring in its accuracy, kicking all 3 conversions and 2 penalties.The 2nd half saw MK come into the game a bit more, with stern words from their coaches obviously having an effect on them, but it wasn't until both Nichol and McKenzie were off the field that their possession counted for points. Tries from scrum-half Dan Pearson and captain Richard Hill closed the scoreline briefly before the try of the match from Ben Law. Big 2nd row Rob Weaving took an inside pass from Jamie Burns and sprinted through a huge hole in the MK midfield, before drawing the cover defence to himself and sending the supporting centre Law in under the posts. MK hit back with a try from hard running centre Dave Matthews but once Grove had all 15 players back on the field they managed to see out the last few minutes without incident.
The whole Grove team deserve praise for an outstanding start to the season, but Roger Sevier was Man of the Match for a great all round game and kicking - 7 from 7 to give himself 17 points.

Team 1-18; Subs in brackets.
T Eltham (G Eltham), North, Keen, Maryon (c) (Brooks), Weaving, Kerr, Nichol, Fredericks, Mckenzie, R Sevier, Rautenbach (Law), Burns, N Sevier, Grant, Shephard, G Eltham, Brooks, Law

Tries: Rautenbach, Fredericks, Keen, Law
Conversions: R.Sevier (4)
Penalties: R.Sevier (3)