Droitwich impressive in big win (From Bromsgrove Advertiser)

Droitwich impressive in big win

11:54am Wednesday 3rd February 2010

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RUGBY UNION

Droitwich 48 Berkswell and Balsall 8

DROITWICH turned in a solid performance on Saturday to overwhelm Berkswell and Balsall at the Memorial Ground in a Midlands Two West (South) game.

From the kick off the visitors seized the ball and drove towards the Droitwich line.

They mauled 30 metres up field, and only good tackling by Andy Manns and the ageless Nick Godfrey kept them at bay.

From the resulting scrummage, more pressure was put on the home line, but Droitwich stayed firm and won a penalty to clear the danger.

The opening exchanges were even. with Droitwich looking to move the ball wide, and Berkswell concentrating their attacks on the driving mauls.

Good running by skipper Phil Horton saw Steve Poke go close before a long pass from veteran Matt Blackmore, allowedWill Baillon to race over, only for the referee to adjudge the pass forward.

More pressure by Spa side saw lively centre Mark Strutt go on an arcing run to dive over and open the scoring.

Chris Hooper added the conversion before he slotted a penalty before the visitors hit back with a penalty kick of their own.

A neat break by Poke found Hooper in support to throw a dummy and race over to extend the Droitwich lead. .

The second period saw Droitwich up their work rate and put more width on the ball, which seemed to stretch the visitors defence.

A typically robust run by Dean Goddard saw Dylan Jones in support to feed Baillon to race over and score. Blackmore added the conversion.

Then a surge upfield by prop James Shewell set up an attacking position.

Strutt went close, before Poke scurried over to score. Again Blackmore converted.

A well-executed move in midfield saw outside half Bobby Scott-Walker pass inside to Simon Pearce who showed an impressive turn of pace to go over.

Again Scott-Walker was the catalyst, putting in a well weighted cross kick for Baillon to gather and score his second.

Berkswell came back, again using the driving maul to attack the Droitwich line before an infringement saw the referee award a penalty try.

Not to be outdone, Droitwich surged upfield in the dying second for Hooper to collect a stray ball and race over for his second try of the afternoon and complete the scoring.

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