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Droitwich 15 – Dunlop 7

Sunday, October 8, 2006

Droitwich progressed through the first round of the EDF Senior Vase on Saturday, but never really produced the kind of rugby they are capable of. The Droitwich team showed a number of changes from the previous week’s league encounter with the coaching team seeing the game as an opportunity to try some new combinations.

Droitwich played against the wind in the first period and from the start looked to be positive and spread the ball wide, however the last pass was too often misguided or Droitwich were guilty on a number of occasions of trying to be too sophisticated. Droitwich did, however, open the scoring when a fine move was rounded off by Ben Cottrell who touched down in the corner. Dunlop, though, mounted a series of attacks and scored themselves from a five metre scrum to take a lead into the half-time interval.

The second period again saw Droitwich attack, but again a stray pass or indiscipline leading to a penalty saw Droitwich’s attacks flounder. Good pressure led to a Droitwich penalty, which ever alert scrum half, Ross Coombes, took quickly to score. A good break by James Davies saw Droitwich re-cycle the ball for second row Paul Sweeney to take a pass from Gavin Reese and crash over. This was to be the last score of a very disappointing second half display. Droitwich will have to improve their all-round rugby if their league and cup aspirations are to remain intact.

After the game veteran prop Greg Garfield was philosophical, saying “we weren’t at our best, but if we can play poorly and win that is a bonus.”

Photos are in the gallery

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