NOMADS SEE OFF SUPERMARINE WITH NINE TRIES!

This was definitely the match to win!  The Nomads were due to play Supermarine away on the first day of this season, way back in September 2009.  On that day, the Marlborough 2nd XV was docked two points, suffering the ignominy of having their first league entry on the RFU website marked “Marlborough could not raise a side.”  Starting the season in this way was disastrous, but it spurred everybody on and word of subsequent success soon spread and the tale of the rest of the season speaks for itself.  Supermarine’s 2nd XV (the Blades) have also had a good season and this was their last game; placed just below Marlborough in the table, both sides had it all to play for.

The sun shone on the Nomads, playing at home on the Common and basking in the glorious weather.  The pitch was rock hard and would favour any side that could ship the ball to a fine set of running backs.  This is where the Nomads have considerable strength and so it was really no surprise that, from an early scrum and some fine passing from James Smith at scrum-half, Adam Dobie was put over after just five minutes!  He attempted to convert his own try without success, but a five point lead had been established and the Nomads looked to exploit the advantage.  This came just eight minutes later from the returning Mark Adams, off the back of the scrum at Number 8; great to see him back in the squad and on such good form!  Dobie was struggling to get his eye in and missed the conversion again. 

At seventeen minutes, prop Adam Whatley was next to score with some powerful running and great determination against the big Supermarine forwards.  Fly half Toby May, who replaced Dobie at the kicking tee, took the two extra points; although Dobie was clearly determined to make amends for his wayward kicking and, just two minutes later, scored his second try of the afternoon!  After the first quarter, the Nomads had built a 22-0 lead with four tries to their credit.  Outside centre Tom Johnson was next on the score-sheet at twenty-two minutes with another fine running try, making the most of the conditions to continue to pile pressure on Supermarine.

Some complacency then crept in and Supermarine, who had been held at bay up front and dominated in the backs, scored a well-deserved try on the half-hour, which was also converted.  The Nomads knuckled down and there were no more scores in the first half; the sides took on huge amounts of water during the break with the score at 27-7 to the Nomads.  Playing uphill in the second half, the Nomads forwards had a job of work to do.  Props Whatley and Mathew Dopson and hooker Tom Lawrence were shored up nicely by Mike Hill and Jack Lynd and the back row welcomed back Adams and Huw Lloyd Jones from absence; the scrum was strong and, although the line-out still needs work, the forwards’ performance was commendable.

The scores remained unchanged until fifty-four minutes when Jacob Coplestone was the recipient of some brilliant passing and scored another quality try.  Supermarine put the pressure on and, coming down the hill, shoved one over from a scrappy maul on the hour.  But then the Nomads got into gear and delivered a stunning last quarter that really showed the opposition who was boss!  Winning plenty of ball and feeding the strong backs, the Nomads began to mete out the punishment – Dobie scored his third to complete a very fine hat-trick; three minutes later Smith was rewarded for his excellent performance behind the scrum with a cracking try; Max Ansell, who had run sublimely on the wing all afternoon, scored a super try in the last minute of the game.  All these were converted by May and the final score was an impressive 53-14.

So, the Nomads have atoned for their ‘sins’ at the beginning of the season.  The likes of Smith, May, Dobie, Johnson, Coplestone, Ansell, winger James Osborne and full-back Freddie Somerset are indicative of the high-quality young players that have come into the Nomads side this season – strong, fast, skilled and resolute rugby players who bring great breadth and depth to the Club.  The ‘old heads’ amongst the forwards keep things on track and manage to get themselves on the score-sheet, too! 

The side has come a long way since failing to attend at Supermarine; this score proves that the team is worthy of its place in the league – two games to go and second place beckons!  The next game is at home on Saturday 24 April against Westbury; all support will be welcome – the weather forecast is looking as good as the rugby!