NOMADS FIND OLD FORM AGAIN WITH CONVINCING 23-12 WIN OVER DEVIZES 3rd XV

Because of the Christmas break and games postponed due to a lack of referees or the weather, this was the first game for the Nomads in nearly two months!  In the week leading up to the match, it was apparent that everyone was keen to get playing again and all were raring to go... but it was also clear that injury and absence in both the 1st XV and the Nomads would put the pressure on.  In fact, the pressure was such that there was a certain amount of frantic 'phoning round on the day to get fifteen on the pitch - typical Nomads rugby?!

There were also some ghosts to banish: the Nomads had lost the away fixture to Devizes in the first half of the season and so were looking to right some wrongs.  The warm-up was the first opportunity to confirm where the boys would play; with only fifteen it was obvious that the Nomads would have a long 80 minutes ahead.  Many would have to play out of place, some even playing in positions for the first time.  Special mention should be made of Rich Piper and Eddie Edwards, both playing in the front row and Tom Regan, obliged to play at flanker, throw the ball at the line-out and undertake kicking duties to boot!

And yet there was fire in the belly of the boys and the backs looked very strong.  The welcome return of Phil Dopson and Graham Lloyd meant that what the Nomads pack gave away in weight, they would more than make up for in spirit.  The game was soon underway and, although the Nomads struggled to find their feet and get organised, a quick score from winger Graham Yates (his first for the Club) gave everyone considerable confidence.  Tom Regan's normally accurate boot didn't find its mark, but a five point lead was established.  The rest of the second half was scrappy and the Nomads failed to operate as a team, gifting Devizes a couple of easy tries, only one of which was converted.  A number of opportunities were squandered and there was a fair amount of squabbling before the Nomads settled and started making better decisions; one of which resulted in a neatly struck penalty goal by Tom Regan.  The half time score was 12-8 to Devizes.

The second half was a wholly different game for the Nomads.  Playing uphill and into the wind, the pressure was on.  Chris Paley, who had played a solid game for the first 40 minutes, started to make a real impact with his running, ball carrying and support play.  The forwards started to tighten up their game and Devizes secured less and less ball.  Cleaner ball for the family pairing of Kevin and Adam Dobie (at scrum half and fly half respectively) meant that the strong Nomads backs could be released.  Will Turner and Barney Hunter were immensely strong in the centres and were now constantly crossing the gain line.  The Nomads started moving the ball wide and the support to the ball carriers was excellent.  Graham Yates was put over again in fine style and Frenchman Simon Legeard crossed shortly afterwards after some sublime running and passing to the corner.  Tom Regan's conversion attempt, made from right on the touch line, bounced off the cross bar!  The Nomads' second half performance was exemplified by a supreme solo effort by Will Turner who broke through several tackles and touched down with just over ten minutes left to play.  Devizes had made no further score in the second half and so the Nomads ran out deserved winners, 23-12.

This was a fine effort from a much-reduced squad of fifteen and shows again just how keen, loyal and steadfast the players are.  The individual commitment from the boys was excellent and the tackling superb; Chris Paley was rightly awarded the man-of-the-match accolade for 80 minutes of hard graft.  The side-line team of Rodney Adams, Mark Gibson and Andrew Horwood – as well as the handful of supporters who braved the cold – also deserve special mention.  

So, a game of two halves!  On the down side, it took the first half for the Nomads to settle down and get over the teething problems associated with the long break and the mix-and-match squad.  However, once the boys did get into their stride, there was no stopping them!  This was another high-quality performance and one that the team can and should be proud of.