FOUR-TRY FIESTA OVER WESTBURY AND THE NOMADS GO SECOND IN THE LEAGUE!

In the scorching heat and on the unforgiving hard surface of the Common, the Nomads played their penultimate fixture against a resurgent Westbury 2nd XV.  Winning would all but guarantee second position in the Dorset & Wiltshire (North) 3 league, bringing with it the possibility of promotion next season; it would also banish the ghosts of an uncomfortable 15-10 defeat at Westbury earlier in the season!  So, as ever, the Nomads had everything to play for in a match that could herald the end of a tremendous season.  The Nomads’ ranks have been swelled in the latter part of the season – due in large part to the success of the side and an improving reputation for super rugby – and for the second time in a fortnight there were a number of substitutes on the bench, providing the squad with great depth as well as a number of options.  Even more pleasing was to see the likes of Richard Piper and Will Blunt in the side, both back from long-term illness and injury and fit to fight again!

Things got underway under a blazing sun and in front of a record ‘crowd’ on the Common!  The 1st XV season having ended in the most triumphant fashion last week, there were plenty of supporters on the Nomads’ sideline – a good thing too, as Westbury had come mob-handed on a 52-seater coach!  Winning the toss, the Nomads elected to play uphill in the first half; the first few minutes were a frenzied time for both teams, neither of which could create much continuity.  A number of penalties were awarded and, as a result of one just outside the 22 and in front of the posts, fly-half Alex Cox kicked three points, taking his season’s total for the Nomads to 105 points!  Just five minutes later, after some hard work by the forwards gifted the Nomads a penalty, Jake Biggs powered through a ragged Westbury defence, finishing with an amazing one-armed stretch for the touch down; Cox adding two points with the conversion.  Quarter of an hour gone and the Nomads had opened a ten point lead.

For some reason, the whole team then descended into a period of headless rugby – trying to play as fifteen one-man teams!  The result was a converted try for Westbury on nineteen minutes and a terrible feeling of impending doom for everyone!  Uttering the immortal words “Calm down, boys!” pack leader Kevin Clancy sought to settle everyone down and bring back some of the focus, concentration and simple ‘through the hands’ rugby.  It worked and, on twenty-five minutes and after some better platform work by the forwards, the backs combined with some quality running and passing to put outside centre Tom Johnson over in the corner.  Cox added the two points and everyone breathed again!

A penalty goal for Westbury was the only other score in the half, but the Nomads were guarding a 17-10 lead as the teams broke for some well-earned water.  Plenty of wise words from the support staff and a couple of substitutions – including flanker Adam Whatley very reluctantly leaving the field with a serious calf muscle injury.  Ten minutes after the restart and full-back Fred Somerset cut a beautiful line through the Westbury backs, touching down for his third try of the season.  Cox saw his conversion attempt go just wide, but the Nomads were now feeling more confident and playing with a little more composure.  An extended period of attack by Westbury was kept at bay by some superb defence, with second rows Jack Lynd and Graham Lloyd and props Mathew Dopson and try-scorer Biggs working incessantly to keep repeated attempts to ‘pick and drive’ at bay.

One thing that has distinguished the Nomads from their opponents in the latter part of this season has been the team’s terrific physical strength, determination and, most importantly, endurance.  Whereas Westbury started to suffer in the heat and gave way to some frustration, the Nomads remained strong, fitter and faster than the opposition.  Proof came on sixty-seven minutes with a great try by winger Rob Reames; he’d only been on the pitch for five minutes!  No further response from Westbury saw the game finish 27-10 to the Nomads.  Men of the match accolades went to Jack Lynd for an outstandingly powerful game and to James Smith for another superb performance at scrum-half.

So, just one game to go and second place secure… notwithstanding any acts of God or Icelandic volcanoes!  The season’s stats speak for themselves: the Nomads have scored 825 league points and have a points difference of more than 600!  These have come from 117 tries and the extras!  What an amazing transformation – from the first game when there were not enough players to travel to Supermarine to this penultimate game of an incredible season, sealed with another convincing victory!  All credit to Westbury for a good quality struggle; they definitely won the third half – the team and supporters finally leaving the Club-house at about 19h45!  Where they couldn’t match Marlborough on the field, they more than made up for in the bar!  Away to Aldbourne next week, the Nomads will look to close the season on a high and with a few more points in the bag – supporters welcome!