Marlow cut loose after matching rivals' intensity
Having matched the intense physicality of Wallingford's forward pack in the opening exchanges, Marlow were able to express themselves in possession to claim a clinical 30-7 victory.
This was a victory founded on solid defence and the tenacity of the hosts' tackling, limiting Wallingford to a handful of chances, however, they were also able to play expansively, or as centre Hugo Jafari calls it Marlow Ball.
On three occasions in the first half, they put the ball through hands to create try scoring chances, brilliantly finished off by Dean Whiteley and Josh Richardson. Jafari added some glitz to the second half as he weaved his way through Wallingford’s backline for an excellent fourth try.
After the game Jafari spoke of the hard work the side had put in during pre-season to get themselves in shape for the new campaign. They've also added a couple of new faces to their ranks and, for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, look like a team capable of challenging for promotion. They look fitter, stronger, and more focused than last season and several of their younger players are blossoming into solid first team players at this level.
“I think Marlow of the past we might have let moments in that game slip,” said Jafari.
“But what I was most proud of was, yes there was good play in there, but we also kept at it the whole way through. The defence was tenacious the whole way through, and in this league, if we're going to keep progressing and try and push for promotion, we've got to be clinical the whole way.
“Typically, Marlow have got complacent after 20 minutes and we've lost our way, but I was proud of how we executed today.
“We trained hard in pre-season, but we've just got to try and keep this consistency. We'll have a few boys missing next week which will be tough, but we'll just have to switch players in and try and go again.
“Wallingford are a physical side, we knew they would be, but we matched their physicality in some aspects of the game but still played Marlow Ball. The Aylesbury’s and Wallingford’s like to bully and control the game, and might you play their ball, but I was quite proud that we still played our game, we matched them when we needed to and came out on top.”
Jafari added: “We needed to keep the foot on the throttle in the second half.
“We always feel optimistic at the beginning of a season, but it's about trying to build that depth.
“We should be pushing up, and I know it's a bold statement to say that, but we should be trying to push.
“In seasons before we've tried to push, but we've lost consistency, but I think we've got a good foundation to build on.”
Marlow return to action next weekend at Milton Keynes, looking to improve on their two defeats to them last season.