1st XV lose out to league leaders Brunel
Verulamians 7 vs 41 Brunel University
Vee’s looked to bounce back after last weeks loss away to Bank Lane and welcomed table toppers Brunel University who looked to continue their fine form. However, the weather had a mind of its own and in football terms Saturdays game was very much a wet and cold night in Stoke.
After a period of deliberation it was agreed the game would take place on the 1st XV pitch with the conditions favouring the larger and more tight knit Vee’s pack.
The game kicked off and Brunel clicked into gear from the get go securing some early possession in our half and executing well to get two early tries. Vee’s roared back though through strong carries from our midfield partnership of Josh Lawrence & Andre Fourie.
However, after a few 50:50 calls Brunel gained momentum again to get a couple of more tries and a penalty to head into the break with a comfortable lead.
Nevertheless, with the slope in their favour and the conditions worsening Vee’s had a real chance to make an impression on Brunel in the second half!
And they did! From the onset the blue and yellow pulled together and started to make some steady progress up the field executing rhino calls well and placing some handy kicks into Cotlandswick corner from the likes of James Ryan and Travis Fisher to pin back the eager Brunel.
After a relentless period on Brunel’s try line with Vee’s looking certain to get the first score of the second half Brunel managed to miraculously pinch the ball and put some phases together.
Eventually they would slip down the blindside and score quickly which was very much against the run of play early in the second half.
Vee’s regrouped as they always have this season and re-implemented the tactical kicking to work their way down the field. Once again we found ourselves on the visitors line and after some tense pick and gos hooker Hamish Jeram drove over to get a pivotal score. Stalwart Harry Mack keenly slotted the conversion to give Vee’s an extra boost of momentum.
The remainder of the half remained scoreless but certainly not uneventful with Vee’s having a few more chances close to Brunels line but unsuccessful in crossing the whitewash.
The match ended with Vee’s camped in Brunels half as had been the theme in the second half and despite the full time result being 41-7 to Brunel there were many positive takeaways for Vee’s! The resilient fight back in the second half was very courageous with every player banding together to front up against the visitors in what was great viewing for the supportive home crowd.
Every player deserves a shoutout for their performance which made a tough choice of man of the match for Captain Callum Porter and Coach Monners with the award eventually going to unsung hero Oscar Brando.
We now turn our attention to Old Millhillians in another home clash in what looks to be a battle for the second promotion spot behind Brunel!
