REJUVENATED NOMADS DEMOLISH TROWBRIDGE

The first leg of this fixture saw the Nomads come from behind to outclass Trowbridge and win by fifteen points.  With a keen determination to put right the errors that had cost them the last two games, the Nomads were raring to go for this return leg, especially as it was being played at home on the Common.  The usual issues meant that the squad comprised just sixteen men and, as a strong-looking Trowbridge crowd with a good handful of substitutes arrived and went out to warm up, it did not look like it would be a walk in the park.

The plan was to score using the backs within the first ten minutes in order to stamp some authority on the game.  Unfortunately, this plan did not survive contact with the enemy and the Nomads’ pack did not deal well with the early pressure up front.  To make matters worse, the Nomads were penalised in front of their posts and it looked like Trowbridge would take an early lead with a penalty goal.  However, the sun shone on the Nomads and, for whatever divine or other inspirational reason, the ball went wide.  The early score was then forthcoming, almost from the kick-off, with Adam Whatley powering through the Trowbridge defence to touch down on fourteen minutes – not a back and not in the first ten minutes, but an early score nonetheless!

From then on, although the scrum was never as tidy as it should have been, the Nomads dominated proceedings, scoring a try every five minutes on average!  There were tries in the forwards from Mathew Dopson and Huw Lloyd-Jones as well as two more from Whatley for a splendid hat-trick.  The backs took the lion’s share, however, with well-worked and thoroughly-deserved running tries for James Smith (two), Barney Hunter (two; back from University and immensely strong in the centres), Max Ansell (two), Neil Shepperdson (one) and Adam Dobie (two).  Dobie was also kicking in the absence of Tom Regan and he added a penalty goal and nine conversions for an impressive personal tally of thirty one points!

Kevin Clancy led the forwards and the support play was excellent under his watchful eye.  The line out was much tidier and more effective than it has been for some time and credit is due to the forwards for getting to grips with the Trowbridge pack and providing a platform.  However, it was the devastating combination of quick ball to the runners that made the difference and, in the glorious weather, this was as polished a performance from the backs as one could want ; the Man of the Match accolade went to scrum-half James Smith for an excellent 80 minutes in control.  In the last quarter it was painfully obvious that Trowbridge were suffering with injury and fatigue and no amount of substitutions could remedy the situation.  They did not give up, however, and deserve recognition for their fighting spirit in adversity.

So, a comprehensive victory and another 91 points in the bag!  The Nomads lie third in the table and have a points difference of very nearly 450 points!  The side goes from strength to strength and, when one considers the dire straits the team was in last season, the progress is astounding.  The individual and collective commitment and the underlying strength that is now well-developed in the squad is formidable and will stand everyone in good stead for the last few games of the season.  All details are to be confirmed, but the current plan is that the Nomads are away to Aldbourne/Hungerford next Saturday, 13 March; kick off is at 14h30 and all support is, as ever, warmly welcomed!