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Match Reports |
| Saturday 23rd Sep - Devizes Vets 5 Westbury Vets 8 |
|
After several seasons of one off matches Westbury RFC Veterans have finally got a full season of fixtures. Saturday saw the first match of the current season with Westbury away to Devizes in a very close fought game that took time for both teams to get into their stride. Devizes took the first points of the game on ten minutes, with a try down the right flank with the Devizes winger just avoiding a tackle by Westbury’s NZ forward Sam Nitz, the try was not converted. Westbury’s defence held firm over the next five minutes, they then began to find their feet and start to make inroads into the Devizes half and on twenty minutes in the first half Westbury’s flying winger Hewell Thomas avoided the opposition down the left side and set up what became a series of rucks with hooker Doug Balchin crashing over for the try, conversion was missed. Westbury put more pressure on Devizes and on thirty minutes Westbury were awarded a penalty, Doug Balchin converting. This took Westbury into the half time break eight points to five up. Second half |
| Saturday 05th Nov - Wetsbury 2nds 24 Sutton Benger 13 |
| Sutton Benger started strongly and were rewarded for
their hard work when their centre broke through some slack Westbury tackling
to score a try in the corner 0-5 to the visitors. Westbury then started to pressurise Sutton Benger through excellent driving play from the Westbury forwards and from a ruck young prop Jack Bates picked up the ball to drive over and score his 1st try this season score 5-5. Sutton took the lead again after kicking a penalty for 3points 5-8. Westbury exerted pressure onto Sutton Benger as they tried to score again, but good defence from the visitors ensured they went into half-time 5-8 in front. Westbury carried on at the restart by pinning Sutton Benger back into their own half and from a ruck Rich Wilson crashed over the try line for 5 points and with Matt Gardiner taking 2 points from a well kicked conversion the score was 12-8 to Westbury. Westbury extened the lead when repeating the same tatics again for 2nd team stalwart Ozzy to score a unconverted try 17-8. Centre Chris Jackson later got in on the act when he broke through 3 tackles to score under the posts leaving Matt Gardiner a simple kick for 2 points 24- 8 to Westbury. With time now running out for Sutton Benger and there never say die attitude they scored a unconverted try after some good attacking play to take the score to 24-13. This however was to be the final score. Westbury can take some plus points away from this performance with the backs playing very well with some nice handling moves during the match, but the platform that helped to set Westbury on thier way to another victory was the good work of the Westbury pack at the set pieces and their good work at the rucks and mauls. Westbury Rugby Club are now begining to turn the corner and have fielded 2 adult teams with replacements for the last seven weeks this is in part due to the hard work of captains James Wild and Hugh Welch. Members of Westbury RFC are now alot more confident about the future as the club moves forward with its development plans. Other plans in the pipline for the near future are the formation of a Veterans team to play matches once a month. Westbury are still keen to recruit new players and for further details contact 07969067409. |
| Saturday 22nd Oct - Wetsbury 46 Malmesbury 5 |
| Westbury entertained newly promoted Malmesbury in their
first home league match and with fine weather the pitch looking fantastic
and a large crowd they were hoping for their 1st win of the season. Malmesbury started strongly and pinned Westbury back in their 22m area, but after Westbury dealt with this initial pressure they began to exert pressure on Malmesbury and from the scrums and lineouts were able to supply good clean ball to the backs after 20 Min's in front of the Malmesbury try line a ball was spun out along the back lane for speeding centre Matt Inseal to score the first try. This was converted by the steady book of Fly-half Chris Vaughan 7-0 to Westbury. 5 Min's later Chris Vaughan grabbed a try when he run a beautiful angle to cut through Malmesbury defence and score a unconverted try the score now 12-0 to Westbury. the next two trys for Westbury came as fleet footed winger Keiron McEnteggart sprinted 25m to the tryline beating several defenders on the way for his 1st and to complete his brace. McEnteggart did a repeat performance to the great delight of the home fans at half time the score was 24-0 to Westbury At the start of the second half Malmesbury scored a surprise try within 5 Min's of the restart. This seemed to stir Westbury up and they repeated the tatics of the first half of with the forwards breaking up the field offloading to the support players and getting the ball out wide to stretch the Malmsebury defence this resulted in 2 tries for hooker Dave Dixon playing some of his best rugby so far this season. No 8 Gareth Vaughan scored a try from the base of the scrum and scrum-half Nick Walden got in on the act himself by scoring a try which he converted himself. The score final score being 46-5 to Westbury. The only downside to the match was to Fly-half Chris Vaughan who when giving a faultless performance picked up a injury forcing him to retire from the match. Westbury have waited along time for this win. It was well deserved by the team for their hard work and self belief at training and hopefully this can now kick-start the league campaign as Westbury battle their way out of the relegation zone. Westbury are still looking for new players for more information contact 07969067409 Roy Wakefield 07969067409 |
| Saturday 08th Oct - Colerne 8 Westbury 7 |
Westbury travelled to Colerne on a very wet Saturday afternoon in this Dorset & Wilts1 North div match.Colerne gained possession from the kick-off and for the first part of the match starved Westbury of the ball. After Westbury survived the Colerne storm their forwards began to win the ball from the set pieces and Westbury threw themselves at the Colerne try line, but were unable to score any points in the 1st half thanks to the resolute defence of Colerne and the severe rain that ended many a Westbury attack through handling errors.Within 10 mins of the second half despite the best efforts of the weather, Colerne were awarded a penalty and took a 3-0 lead.Several minutes later Westbury were rewarded with a penalty after some driving runs from the forwards carried them within striking distance of the Colerne posts. Westbury opted for the more exciting option of running the ball instead and were unlucky not to score a try.With 20mins remaining and from a scrum 5m from the Colerne try line Gareth Vaughan picked up the ball from the ground to power over for a try under the posts it was converted by Chris Vaughan and Westbury led 3-7.For a while it looked like Westbury were going to score again, but Colerne refused to give up and from a rare attack in the Westbury managed to win clean ball from the scrum which they passed quickly to the left wing to score a in the corner the try was unconverted leaving the score 8-7 to Colerne. Westbury were to trough everything into the last 15 mins, but were unable to score again. Westbury are looking for players to join their adult teams so if you are 17years of age and older contact 07969067409 for details. Roy Wakefield Club Chairman 07969067409 |
| Saturday 10th Sept - Supermarine 28 Westbury 0 |
| Westbury Travelled to Supermarine of Swindon with a
much changed side from the previous week. Supermarine put Westbury under pressure from the kick-off and were rewarded with a penalty after 5 mins which they converted to give a 3-0 lead another penalty after 20mins gave Marine a 6-0 lead. Westbury battled away and did begin to exert pressure on Marine and were awarded a penalty in front of the posts which they failed to convert then with half-time approaching Marine were to score 2 quick tries and a conversion giving them a 18-0 lead. After half time Westbury again to allowed Marine to score 2 more quick tries in 15 mins taking their lead to 28-0. Westbury then started to find some continuity and started to pressurerise Supermarine for the rest of the match unfortunately they could not get a score after coming close on several occassions. There were no more points for either team for the rest of the 2nd half and Supermarine won 28-0. On the up side for Westbury there were some big perfomances from Captain James Wild while up and coming prop Chris Gillam battled away bravely against his opposite number. Chris Phibbin played well at full back as well as veteren centre Darren Saving. If Westbury can show the sort of form against teams that they had in the second half and give away less penalties then a first league win cannot be far away. Westbury are still on the look out for new players for more details contact 07969067409 Roy Wakefield |
| 3rd September 2005 - Westbury 0 V Minety 24 |
| Westbury kicked off their season with a match against
relegated Southern Counties side Minety. Westbury with only 4 players in the team from last season fielded a team of young and enthusiastic talent. Westbury attacked Minety from the kick off and had the more experienced team on the back foot. When Minety did start to pressurise Westbury they responed with good solid defence against the much bigger Minety players the 1st half was a a even affair with both sides giving little ground, but in the dying minutes of the 1st half the referee awarded a penalty try to Minety after Westbury went off-side at a scrum. After the restart Minety scored a breakaway when the winger found space out wide to score in the corner which was converted giving Minety a 12-0 lead. Westbury managed to make some chances of scoring,but the final finishing let them down. Lee Moore stopped a certain try with the tackle of the match when the huge Mintey winger broke clear only to be brought down by Moore with a lopping tackle. Minety plugged away at Westbury for the rest of the match and added another 10 points, Westbury did manage to create pressure on Minety, but could not turn it into points to the final score being 24-0 to Minety match 24-0. Westbury were disappointed with the final score, but they can takeaway from this match the knowledge that they have the beginnings of a fine young team that won and retained ball from the set pieces and with captain James Wild leading from the front and with some big performaces from Matt Church, Dan Ray, Lee Moore and the rest of the guys battling away then a first win for the growing young men of Westbury cannot be far away. Roy Wakefield 07969067409 |
| Westbury 1st/2nds XV v Melsham Mixed Squad - 13th August 2005 |
| Westbury Rugby Club Started their season with a friendly
against Southern Counties side Melksham on Saturday 14th August. This Westbury
team was largely experimental and the bulk of the team now consisting of
young guys. Due to the retirement at the end of last season of several experienced
players. Can come away from this match with a lot of respect from the opposition
. Ian Diddams returning to Westbury as Head Coach for the coming season has a difficult task ahead as he rebuilds the squad, but with the support of Jon Parker coaching coordinator and Captains James Wild and Hugh Welch has a good team around him to succeed. Westbury have a few more friendlies before the season gets under proper which opens with a league match on September 3rd away to relegated Minety this in part due to lack of playing facilities in Westbury. Westbury are still looking to recruit players for the coming season and training takes place at Leighton sports ground from 7pm every Wednesday. contact 07969067409 for further details. Westbury rugby club are hoping to see all there friends and supporters at the Beachparty at Leighton Sports on Saturday 27th August. Yours Roy Wakefield Club Chairman 07969067409 |
| Westbury 1st xv 10 Calne 1st xv 14 |
| Westbury faced Calne in their last home match of the
season on a fine spring day. From the start Westbury seemed to take a while to find any sort of rhythm. This enabled Calne to take a 5-0 lead after 10 mins with a unconverted try. Westbury then handed Calne a penalty after 15 mins for them to take their lead to 8-0. The referee was again to penalise Westbury for off-side errors by again awarding Calne another penalty for them to take another 3 points and a 11-0 lead. Westbury finally found some pattern and from a scrum 20m from the Calne try line Tom Barrell receiving the ball from new signing Paul Skinnner, beat several defenders to off-load the ball back to Skinner to score his 1st try for Westbury. The try was unconverted and this took the score to 11-5 for Calne. Westbury kept the pressure on Calne, but Westbury again give Calne another penalty to to increase the score to 14-5. Westbury were unlucky not to score just before half-time from some good support play between the backs and forwards nearly resulted in Captain Stuart Fellows scoring and the Calne defenders were glad to hear the half-time whistle. In the 2nd-half Westbury scored a well worked try from a line-out which was a text book score as Hooker Doug Balchin threw the ball to Paul Skinner who in turn passed out to Phil Stockley for speed merchant Matt Inseal to burst through the Calne defence to collect a unconverted. This was the only score of the 2nd half as Westbury missed many scoring chances through handling errors and some stout defence from Calne seen them hang onto win the match. Leaving Westbury to rue the penalties of the 1st half! Westbury are at presently without a coach and are now looking to recruit a coach for next season's campaign and contact 07969067409 to apply. |
| Westbury 1st xv 12 Corsham 1st xv 24. |
| Corsham came to Westbury knowing a win would give them
promotion to Southern Counties South. The script did not go to plan when after only a few minutes into the match Matt Inseal charged down a clearance kick from Corsham to score a try for Westbury. P stockley missed the conversion ( Westbury supporters are wondering whether he has the same kicking coach as Charlie Hodgeson). Westbury had a 5-0 lead. Matt Inseal then scored another try a short time later as Darren savings created a break and off-loaded to Matt who out sprinted the Corsham defence to score under the posts. Phil Stockley kicked the conversion to give Westbury a 12-0 lead. Westbury allowed Corsham to battle their way back into the match and just before half-time Corsham closed the scoreline to 12-5. Corsham started the 2nd-half more positive and had a try disallowed for a double movement by the try scorer. Rich Coleman took a quick 22m drop out to relieve the pressure on the Westbury defence. However this was short lived as from a Scrum near the Westbury tryline Corsham broke down the blindside to collect another try which they also converted to tie the score 12-12. Corsham now began to find some rhythm and after some good support play amongst their players scored another try o take the lead to 17-12. From the restart Westbury took the play to Corsham as they looked to close the gap, but unfortunately could not get another score, then in the dying minutes Corsham secured the win with another try and conversion to leave the score at 12-24 to Corsham. Westbury would like to congratulate Corsham on gaining promotion to Southern Counties. |
| 29nd January 2005 - Swindon 2nd XV 18 Westbury 1st XV 0 |
| Westbury travelled to Swindon with a weakened side,
because with almost 50% of 1st team regulars unavailable 1st team manager
Paul Cussons had to draw heavily from the 2nd team as well as the services
of Ed Tout and Vet’s Captain Max Bignall.
Westbury continued to contest the match with some attacks of there own, but could not reply Swindon went onto score another 8 points giving a lead at half-time of 15-0 to Swindon. The 2nd half went better for Westbury unfortunately could not score. Swindon did manage to get a penalty to add to their 1st half score.
Westbury still with out a head coach could have more setbacks to come
yet this season". Said a club spokesmen. |
| 22nd January 2005 - Westbury 1st XV 10 Melksham 1st XV 10 |
Westbury put Melksham under pressure from the kick-off and with Westbury playing rugby in the Melksham 22 it was only a matter of time before they scored. Westbury were awarded a penalty and with a rehearsed penalty move the forwards carried the ball into the Melksham defence recycled the ball through 3 phases of play for scrum-half Tom Barrell to score a try which the ever cool Phil Stockley converted. The score was 7-0 to Westbury after only 10 minutes. Westbury continued to play most of their rugby in the Melksham half yet heroic defence and several handling errors from Westbury due in part to the cold weather. Meant Westbury could not extend their lead any further leaving a half-time score of 7-0. After 5 mins of play in the 2nd-half Westbury were awarded a penalty which Phil Stockley converted giving Westbury a 10- 0 lead. The weather conditions changed completely with heavy rain and cold winds blowing across the pitch into the faces of the Westbury players. Melksham seemed to adopt their style of play to these conditions far better than Westbury and with one of few incursions into the Westbury half were awarded a penalty from a line-out and closed the score to 10-3. Westbury still put Melksham under pressure for large amounts of the 2nd half, but could not score again and with time running out Melksham began to dominate the last 10 Min's of the match and then scored a equalising try and conversion from a 5m scrum. Westbury put Melksham under pressure from the restart, but could not grab a final score to win the match. A fair result overall, but in reality Westbury should have had this match sown up by the end of the 1st half with all the possession they had. Yet they could not deliver the knockout blow required. On the plus side the Westbury defence was well organised. Westbury will need to work on some of their set piece and phase play if they are to beat some of the opposition they are to face in the coming weeks.
|
| 8th January 2005 - Cricklade 12 - Westbury 24 |
Westbury travelled
to Cricklade expecting an easy win. All started well and within a few
minutes of kick off lock, Chris Gillam, was powered over the try line
by his forwards, after Ed Coleman had set up a ruck following a penalty
move. Phil Stockly converted the try. After this, the Westbury train started
to come off the rails and Cricklade, who were very much up for the game,
started to upset the Westbury game plan. This allowed the home side to
get into the match and with Westbury not being able to string a series
of phases together, Cricklade were rewarded with a converted try just
before the break. At half time Westbury captain, Stu Fellows, read the riot act to his players and urged them for more effort. This seemed to have the desired effect and with Westbury showing more control, flanker, Ed Coleman, scored a try out wide This was followed by Fellows himself scoring after taking a quick penalty and brushed the defenders aside to cross the line. Credit must be given to Cricklade who fought throughout the game and earned themselves another try, but the win was sealed when scrum half, Tom Barrell, stole the ball from the back of a Cricklade scrum, 5 metres from their own line, and dived under the posts to score, Stockley again converting. Final score 24 - 12 to Westbury. |
| 11th December 2004 - Westbury 108 -Marlborough 1st 0 |
| Westbury had a convincing home win over
Malborough. A margin of 108 points to 0 a new club record.
Westbury kept up there recent good form from the start with A Balchin scoring from a penalty under the posts after 5 mins after this it was mainly one way traffic from Westbury with several players scoring hat tricks. Backs Darren Saving , Matt Inseal scored 3 tries each and Rich Coleman bagged a brace. The forwards were not to outdone with captain Stu Fellows scoring a hat trick and scoring his last try with a outrageous side step. The top try scorer on the day was from former Clifton player and prop mighty Matt Doughty. Hue Welch and hooker Doug Balchin also scored a try apiece. New kicking star L Adams scored 12 points with the boot. To be fair to Malborough they never give up the fight and played there hearts out till the final whistle. Roy Wakefield |
| 04th December 2004 - Calne 21 Westbury 1st 34 |
| Westbury travelled
to Calne who were above them in the Wilts & Dorset 1st Division and
it was expected to be a very tough match. Westbury attacked from the start and after 5 mins were awarded a penalty 10m from the Calne try line. The ball was passed to Ed Coleman who ran on the angle cutting through the Calne defence to score under the posts, Phil Stockley converted it to give Westbury a 7-0 lead. Westbury then again put Calne under sustained pressure who were forced to give away a penalty to disrupt the attack. Stockley converted the penalty to give Westbury a 10-0 cushion. Calne then began to play themselves into the match and from a penalty lineout 5 m from the Westbury tryline drove over to score a converted try to leave the score at 10-7. Calne then had two players sin-binned in quick succession as they tried to illegally disrupt attacking moves by West bury. With a opportunity like this it was time for the other half of the Coleman duet to Score a try with a scintillating run through the Calne defence to score a try which P Stockley Westbury,s answer to Jonny Wilkinson duely converted giving Westbury a 17-7 lead. With half time rapidly approaching D Balchin crashed over the Calne tryline from a maul to score another converted try leaving the half-time score at 24-7 to Westbury. The 2nd half started with Calne back up to 15 men and with Westbury relaxing a little managed to score a try from a pushover maul closing the scores to 24-14. Westbury forwards started to put there opposite forwards on the back foot again and from a lineout G bowden cut around the Blind-side to beat the Calne defence score another 5 points for Westbury the conversion was missed the lead was now 29-14. From another attack from the Westbury pack Paul Adams with a little help from E Coleman powered over the tryline from a rolling maul to score a unconverted try for Westbury. Westbury now new that time was running out for Calne and allowed them to score a converted try at the end of the match leaving the final score at 34-21. This was a very good team performance from Westbury with good defence and tackling much improved on from recent games and with far to many individuals to pick out for man of the match award. |
| 2 October 2004 - Pewsey Vale 0 Westbury 1st XV 103 |
| With a flu-ridden Hungerford side
suffering availability problems and providing a walkover the preceding
week Chippenham 3rds had provided some useful opposition in their place
in a friendly which Westbury finshed 43-0 winners, but it was imperative
that Westbury scored some points for their league for-away difference
and were not disappointed with their Vale had themselves also had availability problems but to their credit worked hard to field a depleted side of fourteen men to ensure they were not docked the league points. Westbury ironically had selection woes with the dynamic Coleman brothers and the central figure of Matt Doughty unavailable and centre Phil Stockley injured along with full-back Steve Edwards, but welcome returns to the 1st XV squad for LeeStallard, Alan Ingram and M Balchin ensured that the gaps were more than adequately covered. Westbury’s steamroller pack provided the platform
for this immense win with their complete domination of the scrummage and
lineout which effectively denied Pewsey much ball with which to make any
attacks with. Playing up the slope in the first half saw Westbury to a
43-0 half time score, and with the intention of avoiding touch and keeping
the ball in hand the second half saw them rattle up a further sixty unanswered
points. Vale’s woes increased with the loss of two players during
the second half and Westbury’s backline filled their boots with
Matt Inseal crossing for 5 tries in total in what became a rout. Depleted
Pewsey must have been envious as Westbury were able to fully utilise their
bench to provide fresh legs and power, including a Westbury debut for
coach Ian Diddams on the tight head proving that while the mind is weak
the body Coach Ian Diddams commented that this win was vital both for squad morale and the league point differential, but that there were still areas that needed addressing in vital areas of Westbury’s game. He was delighted in the progress made by young Scott B_Baloski and the smooth way that M Balchin had slid into the flyhalf spot… not to forget the excellent display by both A Ingram and Lee Stallard making their first league appearances this season. According to records this is a new record win for Westbury. |