RUGBY: A successful end to the season for Marlborough’s youth teams

U7’s VICTORIOUS AT LONDON WASPS ST. GEORGE’S DAY FESTIVAL AT TWICKENHAM

Fresh from their victory at the Avonvale festival, where they were undefeated, Marlborough U7's were on the campaign trail and travelled east to the London Wasps St. Georges Day Festival, hosted in the shadow of fortress Twickenham. A total of 28 teams, having travelled from as far afield as Canterbury, Cardiff, Taunton, Worthing and Sidmouth took part.

Marlborough lost their first match to Abingdon 2 - 1, but went onto win the next two games against Chinnor Challengers and Worthing Tigers to enter the plate competition play offs.

Marlborough played better as they progressed, confidence delivered superb teamwork in attack but more so in defence. With some awesome tagging and opportune attacking play they beat Chinnor Champions and Hove Rhino's to meet Worthing Lions in the final. In the final Marlborough took an early lead with tries from Barker and Hutchinson, which was never surrendered to finish 4-2 winners of the plate which was a fitting end to the season."

UNDER 12’S AT THE DORSET AND WILTS FINALS DAY

"Marlborough under 12's left the Dorset and Wilts Finals day disappointed despite having beaten the eventual champions, Wimborne, in their opening match 15-10. Marlborough dominated the opening half with the forwards creating good quick ball which the backs used well, scoring two tries through centre Jack Wright. A lack of concentration allowed Wimborne back into the game but Marlborough hit back immediately disrupting a Wimborne line out with Myles Richards pouncing on the loose ball to score the third try. The second half saw Marlborough continue to dominate but unable to increase their lead; a breakaway try from the Wimborne side saw the match end in Marlborough's favour.

 Swanage and Wareham provided the opposition for the second match, it was a close encounter which Swanage won 5-0. Marlborough created more than enough chances, the slick handling that had been seen in the first match didn't quite happen with at least two try scoring passes not going to hand. Marlborough were unlucky not to have been allowed to continue after Jack Wright had recovered the ball from the restart following a Swanage score as unfortunately the ball had been deemed not to have travelled the required distance. Even the Swanage and Wareham head coach couldn't believe Marlborough had lost the game, and his comments were much appreciated.

 The third match saw Marlborough take on local rivals Devizes and Marlborough knew that a win would see them as Dorset and Wilts champions however sadly it was to be one match too many and despite some heroic defense, the power of the Devizes forwards eventually told as they ran in four tries against a tiring Marlborough side.

 Marlborough under 12's should be very proud of themselves for reaching the finals and coming so close having defeated Salisbury and Bradford on Avon and drawn with Chippenham to get there. The steady improvement seen over the years bodes well for next season when 15 a-side rugby starts, seeing Marlborough line up against the three other top sides in the new under 13 Wiltshire league 1. New players, whatever standard, are always welcome. For further details please phone 07802 838335 or look at the Marlborough RFC website.