Sat 19 Oct 2019
Reading Abbey 21 Stow-on-the-Wold 15
Mark Hoskins
Abbey survived a nerve-shredding final few minutes to record an enormously welcome first Wadworth Southern Counties North victory of the season. The win was based on a dominant display by the home pack, superbly marshalled by coach Luke Harding, who stood in for injured skipper Will Bevan at scrum half. Replacement second row ‘Treacle’ Knights produced a masterly performance in the lineouts, while outside half Sol Wallis-Robinson looked increasingly confident as the game evolved. The victory has moved Abbey up a place to tenth in the table.
Flanker Ed House won the ball from the kick-off, but after Harding’s high kick, Stow controlled possession in the early stages. A good tackle from centre Christian Floyd halted Stow flanker Jim Wood, and when Abbey were awarded the first scrum of the game skipper Mike Beckly controlled the ball well. Props Adam Postlethwaite and Conor Slaven handled well along with second row Toby Staker, but after another booming kick from Harding, Stow second row Ben Collett counterattacked impressively, and fortunately for Abbey full back Conner Limbrick managed to get the ball out of play near his own line. But from the subsequent lineout Stow were awarded a penalty. The kick was not from a difficult position, but scrum half Dan Adams hooked the ball wide to the left.
Stow continued to look the better side in the next few minutes, aided by some poor home discipline. Two more penalties were conceded, and from the second of these Adams hit the target to give his side the lead. Abbey looked more lively from the restart, with Staker and Ed House both prominent. Winger Arron Ross linked well with Limbrick, and after a good shove at the next scrum Abbey won a penalty. Unfortunately, Wallis-Robinson’s ambitious kick failed to find touch, and after Stow had cleared the ball Abbey knocked on possession. However, a massive effort at the ensuing scrum gave Abbey the ball against the head. Wallis-Robinson, Limbrick and second row Chris Shaw all handled, and when the ball was returned to Limbrick he was high tackled by centre Ted Holmes. Holmes was shown a yellow card and Wallis-Robinson’s successful goal kick levelled the scores after 17 minutes.
Flanker George House rescued possession at the next lineout, and a good tackle from Harding on his opposite number forced Stow to concede a penalty. This time Wallis-Robinson sent a superb touch kick 40 metres up the left touchline, and a good phase of play followed the lineout with Postlethwaite, Slaven and Beckly all involved. Eventually the ball was moved wide to the right inside the visitors’ 22, with Harding, Ross and Staker all handling before Slaven was forced into touch just short of the line. Stow cleared the ball well, but a great run from Limbrick put his side in another good position. Ross made further ground and Stow conceded another penalty. Wallis-Robinson found a good touch again, but a crooked throw halted Abbey’s progress.
With the sin-bin period at an end, Stow got inside Abbey territory once more, but Beckly again controlled possession well at the base of the scrum. However, Abbey were penalised once more, and after receiving treatment on the field, hooker Jake Leach was replaced by Jack Brown. Adams lined up what was again a fairly straightforward kick at goal, but he struck the ball badly and it drifted well wide to the left. However, Abbey made the mistake of trying to run the ball from their own line, and possession was lost. Stow moved the ball swiftly to the right, and winger Freddie Roberts had plenty of room to cross for a good try. Adams struck his conversion attempt well, but the ball dropped just wide of the posts.
Abbey changed both their second rows at this point, with Knights and Josh Stitt joining the action. Shortly afterwards, the home pack won a penalty inside the Stow 22 and Wallis-Robinson reduced the deficit to 8-6 with a simple kick. The visitors looked dangerous after this, with Ted Holmes running 30 metres. The next scrum saw Stow dominate the Abbey eight for what turned out to be the only time in the game at the set piece, and Beckly was injured as a pile of forwards landed on him. A penalty was conceded, but after Stow kicked to within five metres of the home line, Stitt got a hand to the lineout throw, and a kick from Wallis-Robinson relieved the pressure. A brilliant Abbey drive at the next scrum earned another penalty, but again Wallis-Robinson was a little too ambitious and missed touch with his kick. Shortly afterward the half ended with Abbey still trailing 8-6.
Abbey began the second half impressively, with Harding, Wallis-Robinson and centre Sam Andrews running well. Knights did brilliantly to steal the next Stow lineout throw, and a great charge from Andrews took play to within five metres of the line. The home forwards took control from this point, and after various players picked and drove, Ed House went over for a try on the left. Wallis-Robinson sent over an excellent conversion and Abbey were ahead for the first time.
A good run from Floyd took play back into the Stow half after the restart, and Knights, aided by some pinpoint throwing from Brown, began to clear up at the lineouts. He won two clean catches, and at the next scrum Harding put pressure on his opposite number, replacement James Organ. From the next lineout, which was on the Abbey ten metre line, the forwards began a remarkable driving maul, taking play 30 metres before winning a penalty. They secured an extra ten metres thanks to Stow’s indiscipline, and Wallis-Robinson kicked a good goal to give Abbey a 16-8 lead after 48 minutes.
Abbey looked well in control at this stage. Ross secured the restart kick, Harding sent up another high ball, Knights won another lineout, Stow conceded another penalty and Wallis-Robinson found a good touch. A good attack up the left touchline saw winger Max Boucher keep the move alive with a clever flick pass to Brown. Another great scrum kept the momentum with Abbey, and when Stow were awarded the next lineout Knights again stole possession. Staker returned to the field in place of Ed House, and Harding, Boucher, Brown and Stitt all featured in the next attack. Slaven too looked dangerous, while Ross did well to stop his opposite number Billy Maude when Stow tried to counterattack. A good run from Postlethwaite took play to the halfway line, but possession was lost and Ted Holmes ran back at Abbey. Maude took the centre’s pass, and a good run gave him a try to the left of the posts. Outside half Jacob Collett took over the kicking duties, and his successful conversion made the score 16-15.
With 12 minutes of normal time remaining, Ed House returned in place of Beckly, and shortly afterwards Abbey were given an unexpected boost when Ted Holmes was sent off following a second yellow card. Knights won the ball at the next lineout, and a good drive earned Abbey another penalty. This time Wallis-Robinson sent an excellent kick to the corner, and at last Abbey had a throw in close to the Stow line. Knights won the ball, the expected forward drive followed, and Stitt plunged over for the all-important try in the left corner. Wallis-Robinson made a great effort with his touchline conversion attempt, but the ball bounced wide off the crossbar. At this point Shaw replaced George House and Leach came back on for Brown.
Soon after the restart Stow upped their game and instantly looked dangerous. Ed House was sin –binned, and after Abbey had successfully defended at a Stow lineout, another penalty was awarded to the visitors. This time skipper Harry Gaden took a quick tap, but when play was close to the home line Stow were penalised and Wood was sent to the bin. This left Abbey with 14 players against Stow’s 13. With normal time nearly up, Knights secured another lineout and Abbey moved away from the danger area. Beckly returned for Leach as the game entered injury time, and soon afterwards Slaven limped out of the action. This meant that the final minutes would feature uncontested scrums. Abbey benefited from the first of these, with Harding urging his forwards to “just keep it.” Unfortunately, after initially looking in control, a penalty was conceded and Stow kicked to the home 22.
The match was deep into injury time by now, and Abbey conceded another penalty from the lineout. Stow elected to take a scrum, knowing that they were almost certainly guaranteed possession, and a last desperate attack looked on the cards. But the visitors knocked the ball on, Abbey secured possession and Wallis-Robinson’s kick for touch brought the game to an end. Abbey had survived a 49 minute second half to record a crucial victory.
This win will work wonders for Abbey’s morale. The backs are generally inexperienced, and the team wisely relied on the forwards to launch the bulk of the attacks. The pack certainly delivered the goods, and the backs will grow in confidence if this continues. Pick and drive moves may not provide the spectator with the most memorable rugby, but league points are vital at the moment. This was a precious victory for Abbey and a deserved success for Luke Harding and his coaching team. The return from injury of Knights was important, and with the likelihood of skipper Will Bevan being fit next Saturday, Abbey will hope to continue their revival at Wallingford.
Abbey: C Limbrick, M Boucher, C Floyd, S Andrews, A Ross, S Wallis-Robinson, L Harding, A Postlethwaite, J Leach (J Brown 32-72), C Slaven, C Shaw (J Knights 35), T Staker (J Stitt 35), G House (C Shaw 72), E House (T Staker 59), M Beckly (captain, E House 68, J Leach 82)
Stow-on-the-Wold: A Hayward, B Maude, T Holmes, J Holmes, F Roberts, J Collett (J Organ 37), D Adams (J Collett 50), A Jeffcock (E Millar 28, G Langsbury 40), C Voisey, A Piercy (A Jeffcock 55), M Fisher (A Piercy 59), B Collett, J Wood, H Gaden (captain), E Lockey
Abbey:
Tries: E House, Stitt
Con: Wallis-Robinson
Pen: Wallis-Robinson (3)
Yellow card: E House
Stow-on-the-Wold:
Tries: Roberts, Maude
Con: J Collett
Pen: Adams
Red card: T Holmes
Yellow card: Wood
Referee: Alex Smith (Eastern Counties)
Mark Hoskins
Abbey survived a nerve-shredding final few minutes to record an enormously welcome first Wadworth Southern Counties North victory of the season. The win was based on a dominant display by the home pack, superbly marshalled by coach Luke Harding, who stood in for injured skipper Will Bevan at scrum half. Replacement second row ‘Treacle’ Knights produced a masterly performance in the lineouts, while outside half Sol Wallis-Robinson looked increasingly confident as the game evolved. The victory has moved Abbey up a place to tenth in the table.
Flanker Ed House won the ball from the kick-off, but after Harding’s high kick, Stow controlled possession in the early stages. A good tackle from centre Christian Floyd halted Stow flanker Jim Wood, and when Abbey were awarded the first scrum of the game skipper Mike Beckly controlled the ball well. Props Adam Postlethwaite and Conor Slaven handled well along with second row Toby Staker, but after another booming kick from Harding, Stow second row Ben Collett counterattacked impressively, and fortunately for Abbey full back Conner Limbrick managed to get the ball out of play near his own line. But from the subsequent lineout Stow were awarded a penalty. The kick was not from a difficult position, but scrum half Dan Adams hooked the ball wide to the left.
Stow continued to look the better side in the next few minutes, aided by some poor home discipline. Two more penalties were conceded, and from the second of these Adams hit the target to give his side the lead. Abbey looked more lively from the restart, with Staker and Ed House both prominent. Winger Arron Ross linked well with Limbrick, and after a good shove at the next scrum Abbey won a penalty. Unfortunately, Wallis-Robinson’s ambitious kick failed to find touch, and after Stow had cleared the ball Abbey knocked on possession. However, a massive effort at the ensuing scrum gave Abbey the ball against the head. Wallis-Robinson, Limbrick and second row Chris Shaw all handled, and when the ball was returned to Limbrick he was high tackled by centre Ted Holmes. Holmes was shown a yellow card and Wallis-Robinson’s successful goal kick levelled the scores after 17 minutes.
Flanker George House rescued possession at the next lineout, and a good tackle from Harding on his opposite number forced Stow to concede a penalty. This time Wallis-Robinson sent a superb touch kick 40 metres up the left touchline, and a good phase of play followed the lineout with Postlethwaite, Slaven and Beckly all involved. Eventually the ball was moved wide to the right inside the visitors’ 22, with Harding, Ross and Staker all handling before Slaven was forced into touch just short of the line. Stow cleared the ball well, but a great run from Limbrick put his side in another good position. Ross made further ground and Stow conceded another penalty. Wallis-Robinson found a good touch again, but a crooked throw halted Abbey’s progress.
With the sin-bin period at an end, Stow got inside Abbey territory once more, but Beckly again controlled possession well at the base of the scrum. However, Abbey were penalised once more, and after receiving treatment on the field, hooker Jake Leach was replaced by Jack Brown. Adams lined up what was again a fairly straightforward kick at goal, but he struck the ball badly and it drifted well wide to the left. However, Abbey made the mistake of trying to run the ball from their own line, and possession was lost. Stow moved the ball swiftly to the right, and winger Freddie Roberts had plenty of room to cross for a good try. Adams struck his conversion attempt well, but the ball dropped just wide of the posts.
Abbey changed both their second rows at this point, with Knights and Josh Stitt joining the action. Shortly afterwards, the home pack won a penalty inside the Stow 22 and Wallis-Robinson reduced the deficit to 8-6 with a simple kick. The visitors looked dangerous after this, with Ted Holmes running 30 metres. The next scrum saw Stow dominate the Abbey eight for what turned out to be the only time in the game at the set piece, and Beckly was injured as a pile of forwards landed on him. A penalty was conceded, but after Stow kicked to within five metres of the home line, Stitt got a hand to the lineout throw, and a kick from Wallis-Robinson relieved the pressure. A brilliant Abbey drive at the next scrum earned another penalty, but again Wallis-Robinson was a little too ambitious and missed touch with his kick. Shortly afterward the half ended with Abbey still trailing 8-6.
Abbey began the second half impressively, with Harding, Wallis-Robinson and centre Sam Andrews running well. Knights did brilliantly to steal the next Stow lineout throw, and a great charge from Andrews took play to within five metres of the line. The home forwards took control from this point, and after various players picked and drove, Ed House went over for a try on the left. Wallis-Robinson sent over an excellent conversion and Abbey were ahead for the first time.
A good run from Floyd took play back into the Stow half after the restart, and Knights, aided by some pinpoint throwing from Brown, began to clear up at the lineouts. He won two clean catches, and at the next scrum Harding put pressure on his opposite number, replacement James Organ. From the next lineout, which was on the Abbey ten metre line, the forwards began a remarkable driving maul, taking play 30 metres before winning a penalty. They secured an extra ten metres thanks to Stow’s indiscipline, and Wallis-Robinson kicked a good goal to give Abbey a 16-8 lead after 48 minutes.
Abbey looked well in control at this stage. Ross secured the restart kick, Harding sent up another high ball, Knights won another lineout, Stow conceded another penalty and Wallis-Robinson found a good touch. A good attack up the left touchline saw winger Max Boucher keep the move alive with a clever flick pass to Brown. Another great scrum kept the momentum with Abbey, and when Stow were awarded the next lineout Knights again stole possession. Staker returned to the field in place of Ed House, and Harding, Boucher, Brown and Stitt all featured in the next attack. Slaven too looked dangerous, while Ross did well to stop his opposite number Billy Maude when Stow tried to counterattack. A good run from Postlethwaite took play to the halfway line, but possession was lost and Ted Holmes ran back at Abbey. Maude took the centre’s pass, and a good run gave him a try to the left of the posts. Outside half Jacob Collett took over the kicking duties, and his successful conversion made the score 16-15.
With 12 minutes of normal time remaining, Ed House returned in place of Beckly, and shortly afterwards Abbey were given an unexpected boost when Ted Holmes was sent off following a second yellow card. Knights won the ball at the next lineout, and a good drive earned Abbey another penalty. This time Wallis-Robinson sent an excellent kick to the corner, and at last Abbey had a throw in close to the Stow line. Knights won the ball, the expected forward drive followed, and Stitt plunged over for the all-important try in the left corner. Wallis-Robinson made a great effort with his touchline conversion attempt, but the ball bounced wide off the crossbar. At this point Shaw replaced George House and Leach came back on for Brown.
Soon after the restart Stow upped their game and instantly looked dangerous. Ed House was sin –binned, and after Abbey had successfully defended at a Stow lineout, another penalty was awarded to the visitors. This time skipper Harry Gaden took a quick tap, but when play was close to the home line Stow were penalised and Wood was sent to the bin. This left Abbey with 14 players against Stow’s 13. With normal time nearly up, Knights secured another lineout and Abbey moved away from the danger area. Beckly returned for Leach as the game entered injury time, and soon afterwards Slaven limped out of the action. This meant that the final minutes would feature uncontested scrums. Abbey benefited from the first of these, with Harding urging his forwards to “just keep it.” Unfortunately, after initially looking in control, a penalty was conceded and Stow kicked to the home 22.
The match was deep into injury time by now, and Abbey conceded another penalty from the lineout. Stow elected to take a scrum, knowing that they were almost certainly guaranteed possession, and a last desperate attack looked on the cards. But the visitors knocked the ball on, Abbey secured possession and Wallis-Robinson’s kick for touch brought the game to an end. Abbey had survived a 49 minute second half to record a crucial victory.
This win will work wonders for Abbey’s morale. The backs are generally inexperienced, and the team wisely relied on the forwards to launch the bulk of the attacks. The pack certainly delivered the goods, and the backs will grow in confidence if this continues. Pick and drive moves may not provide the spectator with the most memorable rugby, but league points are vital at the moment. This was a precious victory for Abbey and a deserved success for Luke Harding and his coaching team. The return from injury of Knights was important, and with the likelihood of skipper Will Bevan being fit next Saturday, Abbey will hope to continue their revival at Wallingford.
Abbey: C Limbrick, M Boucher, C Floyd, S Andrews, A Ross, S Wallis-Robinson, L Harding, A Postlethwaite, J Leach (J Brown 32-72), C Slaven, C Shaw (J Knights 35), T Staker (J Stitt 35), G House (C Shaw 72), E House (T Staker 59), M Beckly (captain, E House 68, J Leach 82)
Stow-on-the-Wold: A Hayward, B Maude, T Holmes, J Holmes, F Roberts, J Collett (J Organ 37), D Adams (J Collett 50), A Jeffcock (E Millar 28, G Langsbury 40), C Voisey, A Piercy (A Jeffcock 55), M Fisher (A Piercy 59), B Collett, J Wood, H Gaden (captain), E Lockey
Abbey:
Tries: E House, Stitt
Con: Wallis-Robinson
Pen: Wallis-Robinson (3)
Yellow card: E House
Stow-on-the-Wold:
Tries: Roberts, Maude
Con: J Collett
Pen: Adams
Red card: T Holmes
Yellow card: Wood
Referee: Alex Smith (Eastern Counties)
