First XV grind out win away to UCS
UCS 1st XV 10 vs 17 Verulamians 1st XV
For the 2nd consecutive week, a Vee’s squad travelled to North London side UCS, this time for the 1’s league fixture.
Even after a two week break, a number of slow healing injuries and seasonal unavailabilities meant a changed side taking to the field. The misfortune for some led to opportunities for others, with Vee’s giving 1st XV debuts to front rows Lewis Wosnitzka, Omar Ramdani and winger James Manley, 3 stand outs from James Ryan’s successful 2nd team.
With the wind and slope in the first half Vee’s started well, with Woz and Omar settling well into 1’s rugby with strong carries into USC territory. Vee’s created early overlaps but struggled initially to make them count. Thankfully from one such overlap slick passing found 2nd row Charlie Ricketts who showed his back row pace and hands to draw the full back and hand Dan Williams one of his easier touch downs of the season. The conversion was missed but this should have given Vee’s the momentum coach Monners has been craving.
Sadly the rest weeks had not benefitted Vee’s as they struggled to get out of first gear. The UCS centre pairing started to cause the visitors problems and gave the home side hope. Adopting a simple yet effective one out game plan their pack forced Vees onto the back foot and some early Xmas good will from Vee’s allowed UCS some easy yards. They battered away at Vee’s line and forced their way over for a converted try.
7-5 to the home side and only some brave tackling from Breezy at 10 and strong carries from Josh Lawrence gave the cold travelling supporters anything to shout about.
Half time brought little change as UCS sensing an upset, made the most of some interesting whistleblowing to slot a penalty. Behind 10-5, Vee’s fortunes took a knock as both Woz and Conor Moore left the field in quick succession with ankle injuries. Monners brought wise heads off the bench in Westhead and Moralee and Tom Spratt once again proved his value and versatility by joining Omar and the combative Dan Monaghan in the front row.
With 20 mins to go Vee’s found some rhythm and started to go through the phases. Some abrasive carries from Josh and potent lines from full back Chris Anderson started to gain ground for the visitors and challenge the UCS defence out wide. From one quick recycle of possession, Joe Breeze spotted space on the flanks and his cultured left peg guided the ball over the try line and the flying Williams dotted down for his second of the game.
With the conversion missed, the score stood at 10-10 and still UCS went for the win, thankfully missing two tricky penalty kicks. A tap and go penalty from Tom Shenton almost saw the pacy scrum half jink his way over, only for a last ditch cover tackle to thwart Vee’s. With time running out for Vee’s to maintain their unblemished league record, another huge break from Lawrence brought them within touching distance of the line. Finally the pack showed the patience required to probe for weaknesses and the tireless Spratt barrelled his way over for the decisive score. He converted from wide out to give Vees a 7 point buffer which they kept for the last minutes of the game.
A 17-10 win and Vee’s are now 7 from 7 in the league. They will definitely have to raise their game against next week’s visitors Old Millhillians who will undoubtedly test the squad more than any of our previous 7 opponents.
Written by Simon French
