Grove RFC vs Bletchley

Grove RFC 1st XV Vs Bletchley 1st XV - Match Day Report

Counties 1 Tribute Southern North League Match
Date: 11th November 2023
Kick Off: 14:00
Venue: Grove RFC, Cane Lane, Grove

*Starting Squad*
1.Tom Fearn
2.Tom McCarthy
3.Joe Cooper
4. Elliot Martin
5. Sam Cooper
6.James Monks
7. Tom Wilson
8. Mark Roberts (C)
9. Ollie Nicholl (VC)
10. Charlie Roberts
11. Will Nicol
12. Luke Mathews
13. Rob Tyreman
14. Billy Haist
15.Matt Callaway

*Replacements*
16. Brad Tailford
17. Ben Hewer
18. Dylan Reeves

1st XV Debuts: Matt Callaway-15, Ben Hewer-17

First Half Overview
On a perfect day for rugby Grove looked to keep their 100% home record in tact against Bletchley 1st XV, who were looking to bounce back after 2 consecutive losses.

Grove got off to a flyer with an early try. Bletchley conceded a penalty for offside on there own 10 metre line as there chasing players were in front of the kicker. Mark Roberts took the opportunity to take a quick tap and go to push Grove up to yards from the try line. After a couple of phases with the forwards, Grove spread the ball quickly wide out to Billy Haist to score. Ollie Nicholl puts the conversion over to add the extras.

Very quickly after this Grove were able to profit from the security of an advantage for a high tackle by Bletchley on there own 22. Charlie Roberts took the opportunity to kick the ball wide and put it on a plate for Billy Haist to run it in under the posts. Once again Ollie Nicholl added the extras with the conversion. Bletchley got themselves on the board with a converted try to bring the score back with 7.

From a Bletchley knock on Grove had the scrum on the Bletchley 22. Off of the base of the scrum Charlie Roberts was found with the pass, he held onto the ball sucking the Bletchley defence in before passing inside to Luke Matthews. This opened up the space for Grove, who had the man over, they put the ball through the hands quickly to Will Nicol to run through and score 10 from the posts. Ollie Nicholl continues his 100% kicking success to again add the extras putting Grove back to 14 in front. Before half time Bletchley again score a converted try to reduce the points gap.

HT Score: Grove RFC 1st XV 21-14 Bletchley 1st XV

Second Half Overview
Grove are awarded a penalty for a high tackle on Will Nicol 10 yards out on the wide left, this resulted in the Bletchley player receiving a yellow and 10 mins in the sin bin. Ollie Nicholls opts for taps and go, offloading to James Monks who carries straight but brought down just short. It is then passed to Mark Roberts from the base of the ruck at pace, who breaks the Bletchley defensive line to carry over and score the try. Ollie Nicholls narrowly missed the conversion attempt. This puts Grove 12 points up going into the final 20 minutes.

Bletchley are able to score going into the last 5 minutes but are unable to covert it bringing the gap down to 7 with a few minutes to play. The referee brought the game to a close keeping Grove’s home record in tact and putting Grove up into 5th on 26 points. Another great result for Grove on home turf and now unbeaten in 4 league fixtures. An away trip to Bracknell 2nd XV awaiting Grove next weekend, who were beaten away from home by Chinnor III.

FT Grove RFC 1st XV 26-19 Bletchley 1st XV

Tries: Billy Haist x2, Will Nichol, Mark Roberts
Conv: Ollie Nicholls x3
Pens: None

Quarters
20: 14-7
HT: 21-14
60: 26-14
FT: 26-19

Opponents:
Tries: 3
Conv: 2
Pens: 0

MOM: Mark Roberts - 8