First XV continue their unbeaten start to the season!
Verulamians First XV 29 vs 25 Uxbridge
After a week off the First XV were champing at the bit to continue their unbeaten run to the 22/23 season.
We welcomed a tough Uxbridge outfit who by the end of the game had proved that their league position wasn’t reflective of their performance.
The game kicked off and Vee’s couldn’t have got off to a better start with number 8 Oscar Brando smashing through off of a tip on from Callum Porter who then backed up eagerly to receive the pass back and canter over from 30 metres out. 7-0 the scores stood after only a minute in what was our best start to a game this season!
Uxbridge replied quickly through a long range penalty from their centre to make it 7-3. After a period of to and fro between the teams, Uxbridge managed to score again through tight phase play off the back of a few unlucky penalties to take the lead for the first time but not the last in this back and forth game!
As Vee’s started to gain some more possession and territory a score looked imminent with the likes of Charlie Ricketts and Oakley bashing down the door. Soon after Captain Callum Porter crashed over to make it 14-10 after a tidy conversion from the in form Jake Lawrence.
However, Uxbridge then hit back with another penalty shortly before half time to make it 14-13 at the whistle.
Both teams knew the game was there for the taking and Uxbridge landed the first punch in the second half with a well worked try down the right hand wing to make it 14-18. As we have done all season though the Mighty Vee’s responded valiantly and worked there way down the pitch through the handy boot of Tom Spratt.
After a prolonged period close to Uxbridge line Callum Porter secured his hat trick for the day to make it 19-18. Despite this Uxbridge scored again in the same fashion dotting down slightly closer to the posts this time to allow for a conversion to give them the lead, 19-25.
Injuries were starting to take their toll however, with Uxbridge losing a few members of their pack, similarly Vee’s having to sub off young guns Lachlan & Oakley.
No matter the circumstances with the Cotlandswick crowd behind them a comeback looked possible!
Directed by fly half Joe Breeze the blue and yellow marched down the pitch and made various attempts at Uxbridge’s line to only get pushed back. Until number 8 Oscar Brando cut a great line off of Joe Breeze and then side stepped the last defender to dive over and make it 24-25.
Vee’s still needed one more score though and time wasn’t in their hands as only 4/5 mins were left on the clock. We won the ball off of kick off and through a fortunate knock on from Uxbridge off of a kick we had platform to strike!
Vee’s marched down into Cotlandswick corner and after patient phase play and belated cheering from the crowd Joe Breeze scythed over to secure Vee’s the win with the last play!
Coach Chris Monaghan, injured player Hugo and the rest of the crowd jumped (or tried to) and cheered with delight! 29-25 the full time score stood in what was a great game of amateur rugby.
Notable shoutout to Oscar Brando for his hard running and the man of the match captain Callum Porter for getting a hat trick to some of the players disbelief.
The Mighty Vee’s have now made it 6/6 to start the season and now welcome a couple weeks off as we look to close out the remaining fixtures before Christmas against UCS and Old Millhillians.
