Sully Sports RFC: 1sts hammer Star, while 2nds snatch late win against St Peters (From Barry And District News)

Sully Sports RFC: 1sts hammer Star, while 2nds snatch late win against St Peters

7:50am Thursday 27th September 2012 in Sport

SULLY SPORTS 1st XV 46 STAR 6

DUE TO injuries, Sully Sports Rugby Club 1st XV fielded a depleted side when they hosted old rivals STAR RFC at Swanbridge on a sunny but windy afternoon.

STAR kicked off and the ball was collected safely by Jason Evans who performed well throughout. Moving into contact, the ball was set up for Sully’s first attack but, disappointingly, an unforced handling error saw the home side concede a scrum in front of their posts. This position was salvaged when the forwards took the ball against the head, allowing Sully to advance to the halfway line.

Indeed, this set the trend for the rest of the game, with Sully’s good tactics and excellent moves ending abruptly due to unforced handling errors. Fortunately, Sully’s pack dominated at set pieces and during broken play which placed continuous pressure on STAR. Eventually gaps started appearing in STAR’s defence which inevitably led to try scoring opportunities for the Sports.

To be fair STAR never really threatened the Sports' line except for one short period in the second half when they advanced to within five metres. Excellent defending from the home side’s forwards and backs led to STAR conceding a penalty and the threat was extinguished.

The game was lifted by periods of individual flair which led to spectacular tries from Nathan Taylor, Wayne Jones, and Grantley Harris. Prolific players in the forwards were Jason Evans, Jody Velda and Dean Russell.

SULLY SPORTS 2nd XV 17 ST PETERS 3rd XV 15

BACK IN action after a blank Saturday the previous weekend, Sully Sports Seconds started brightly against a classy St Peters outfit.

Although playing up the slope and against a cross wind, they camped in the visiting 22 for the opening five minutes. Indeed, they should have taken a very early lead but outside-half Mike Saunders fluffed a simple 25 metres penalty.

Then, with their first possession from a scrum on their 22, St Peters swept the ball out and their backs showed pace, support and guile to cut through the home defence for an excellent 75 metres try.

For the next 10 minutes the Sports defended as St Peters showed their attacking prowess but home centre Marvin Cordle intercepted deep in his half and sped away for a solo try, converted by Saunders.

Play was much more even for the rest of the half, with the Rocks using the slope and wind to gain some territorial advantage. Ten minutes from the break, they used a blindside move from a scrum five metres out to score a good, but unconverted, try.

Minutes from the break, the Sports drew level as Saunders landed a successful penalty.

After the break it was over to the Sports to dominate possession and territory but stout defence kept them at bay. And St Peters were always dangerous as they moved the ball out wide with the small amount of possession they secured.

With only 15 minutes left, and having survived a prolonged Sports siege on their line, the Rocks turned over possession five metres out, broke out through their speedy backs but were stopped on halfway by a last-ditch tackle. However, with Sports infringing at the ensuing ruck, a quick tapped penalty and swift movement gave the visitors the opening for a well worked try - and the lead for the third time. Crucially, they failed with the conversion.

The Sports once again camped deep in the visiting 22 and, with four minutes left, the assault had a successful conclusion as prop Andrew Wheeler burst through to wrong foot the tight defence for a try to bring the scores level. Saunders added the vital conversion.

The Sports easily snuffed out the visiting side's desperate attempts to get within scoring range and a well-earned win was largely built on the awesome efforts and workrate of the forwards, and some fine defensive work by the threequarters.

CLUB NOTES

1. Fixtures: On Saturday, September 29, the 1st XV have no league game but are in the pool looking for a game. The 2nds are also in the pool as listed opponents (Star 2nds) have withdrawn from the league.

2. It was good to see so many supporters cheering on both sides at Sully on Saturday. Please phone the club on Friday evening, or Saturday morning, for confirmation of the fixtures.