Supermarine pay for 15-minute slump (From Swindon Advertiser)

Supermarine pay for 15-minute slump

7:10am Wednesday 11th January 2012 in Rugby

JOINT head coach Sean Millwaters rued a sluggish start to the second period as Supermarine were beaten 25-12 at Swindon 2nds in Dorset & WIlts 1 North, writes NED PAYNE.

The visitors went into the break 10-5 down and when they conceded two quick tries after the resumption, their challenge was all but over.

And Millwaters admitted: “I’m a bit frustrated to be honest because the first half was a good half of rugby, we turned round 10-5 down and were probably unlucky not to be winning.

“But in the first 15 minutes of the second half, Swindon raised their game and we didn’t match them.

“We conceded two sloppy early tries and then were trying to play catch-up rugby instead of maintaining our gameplan, which would have brought us back into it.

“It wasn’t our best game of the season and there’s a lot we’ve taken away that we need to work on.”

Despite early pressure from Supermarine at Greenbridge Road, it was the hosts that opened the scoring when fly-half Will Virgo kicked a penalty between the uprights.

However, the visitors hit back as a well-worked backs move resulted in openside flanker Matt Dickens barging over from short range for an unconverted try.

The reply was swift from the home side and when Ben Moore was brought down just short of the line, Virgo picked up the ball and powered over. The conversion was slotted over and Swindon held a 10-5 half-time lead.

Following the interval, Swindon applied immediate pressure to their visitors and when the ball was spun wide by the backs, Moore outpaced the defence and crossed the whitewash in the corner.

The second-string outfit kept their foot on the pedal in the ensuing minutes, and were once again rewarded. Second row Eddie Curtis was dragged down inches short of the line, but the ball was recycled and passed along the back line, with Jack Badminton able to score out wide.

A bonus point was secured for the hosts when good forward work allowed Neil Maycock to charge through the defence and collect a try for his efforts.

Supermarine earned a consolation through George Cowley, the blindside flanker bursting through several tackles to score an excellent solo try. Fly-half Stuart Dawson converted.

The South Marston side have the chance to return to winning ways tonight when they take on Weymouth in the final of the Dorset & Wilts Junior Vase.

The match kicks off at the neutral ground of North Dorset (7.30pm) and should Supermarine win, they will be four games away from Twickenham in the national competition.

“We need to concentrate on beating Weymouth,” added Millwaters.

“I’m glad we’ve got a game so soon after Swindon and it’s all about getting back on the horse.”

The Wiltshire side have a full squad as wing and leading try scorer Alan Milton is available again, after attending his own wedding at the weekend.

• A LATE penalty try deep in injury time denied Chippenham victory at fellow National 3 South West side Weston-super-Mare on Saturday.

The Allington Field outfit had held a 15-10 lead until the closing stages, but were made to pay after an infringement at a scrum and Weston secured a 17-15 win.

Chippenham’s Lewis Surry had given his side the lead with a penalty in the first half, but Weston’s scrum-half pounced following a drive for the opening try.

The hosts increased their lead with a further try on the half hour mark, only for Chippenham number eight Jamie Doubleday to power over from the base of the scrum. Lewis Surry’s conversion left the scores at 10-10 at half time.

After the break, Ryan Surry, who had been yellow-carded in the first half, made amends for his earlier indiscipline as he scored Chippenham’s second try.

However, Hampshire referee Doug Neagle punished the visitors late on and the penalty try was converted.

Elsewhere, Wootton Bassett shredded the challenge of visiting Slough as they ran out 65-5 winners in Southern Counties North.

Meanwhile, in the Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier, Swindon College Old Boys were on the end of a 45-5 drubbing at Stow-on-the-Wold.

Fairford were defeated 45-19 at home by Pewsey Vale in Dorset & Wilts 1 North but there was success for Minety at home to Trowbridge 2nds. They won 34-3 and clocked up six tries to take a bonus-point victory.

Andy Hurley barged over for the opener and full-back Tom Fitzcharles’ chip and chase set up the second, with Minety leading 10-3 at the break.

After the restart the hosts were much-improved and prop Martin Coe smashed over, before Gareth Peirce, Luke Radcliffe and Andrew Hibbard all touched down to complete the win.

Minety’s second string won 22-5 at home to Warminster in Dorset & Wilts Division 3 North. Lewis Smith, Andy Edwards and Tim Vaughan all scored tries, while Vaughan also kicked two conversions and a penalty.

• CIRENCESTER lost out 27-3 to Old Patesians in the Gloucester Under 19s County Cup. Whiting scored Ciren’s only points of the game with a second-half penalty.