Penalties the difference as Wednesbury get a kicking
Rugby Union Midlands 3 West (North)
WEDNESBURY
CLEOBURY MORTIMER
14 19
THIS week Wednesbury entertained Cleobury Mortimer, the home side expected a tough game and that’s what they got.
From Wednesbury’s point of view they never really got started and as a consequence never really got into the game.
Neither side created many chances, the majority of points coming from penalties from both sides. Wednesbury gave away the bulk of their penalties from stupid mistakes, Cleobury as a spoiling tactic, resulting in two of their players receiving yellow cards.
Cleobury took the lead after only five minutes when they were awarded the first of many penalties, and they successfully converted. The game went into a stalemate with neither side creating many opportunities.
On thirty minutes Cleobury were awarded another penalty which they once again converted. Then it was Wednesbury’s turn just two minutes later when they were awarded a penalty. Matt Dale kicked this to get them on the score sheet. Five minutes later the scores were level, with Matt Dale successfully converting another penalty.
This only lasted for two minutes when once again Cleobury regained the lead with yet another penalty; half time score Wednesbury 6 Cleobury Mortimer 9.
From the restart Cleobury went on the attack with Wednesbury seemingly still on their half time break. Cleobury won the ball, racing over for the try, and conversion.
Wednesbury replied two minutes later when they were again awarded another penalty, Matt Dale converting. The game then went into a lull with both sides creating very little just battling it out in the midfield.
This changed with fifteen minutes remaining – Cleobury converted a penalty which they successfully converted, and this seemed to wake Wednesbury up; they finally went on the attack. Creating a couple of chances, with time almost up the ball was played out to winger Stan Zvidi. He received it out wide and raced down the wing evading desperate tackles to go over the line for the try, no conversion.
After the game Wednesbury coach Gary Summers said:
“Yet another story of what could have been. We left it too late to play the game we said we were going to.
“We are looking to address as much as we can to give a good account of ourselves in this league. We’re confident that the results will come with a small amount of development.
Next week Wednesbury are on the road travelling to Shrewsbury for what they expect will be a very hard game, kick-off 3pm.
Wednesbury 2nds lost away to Willenhall 2nds , 25-18.