DRFC News from January 2008

Droitwich RFC News from January 2008

Droitwich U7's v Camp Hill U7's

Sunday, January 27, 2008

On Sunday, Droitwich Under 7’s returned to action after the recent poor weather with four matches against the Birmingham club, Camp Hill.

In the first match an outstanding performance saw Droitwich win by 10 tries to nil. For the record, the tries were scored by James Webster 2, Benjamin Lee 2, Joseph Neale 2, Ben Wadley 2, whilst Aran Foster and Jakob Terry weighed in with a try each. However, this really was a great team performance with superb support play and an excellent defence ensuring a clean sheet where Adam Shaw also played a vital role in the superb win.

In the other matches Droitwich were victors in two with scores of 8 – 6 and 6 – 3, whilst the final match was a hard fought 8 – 8 draw. The tries in these matches were scored by Arthur Carter 4, Harry Alldritt 4, Ben Keepax 4, Joe Corlett 2, Ryan Reynolds 2, Will Bishop 2, with a try apiece from Jules Gwinnutt, Archie Jones, Alex Uner, and Tom Hale.

Droitwich U15's 20 - Camp Hill U15's 15

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Droitwich again spent Sunday on their travels, this time Camp Hill RFC played hosts. The match was played on a compact and very heavy pitch which didn’t lend itself to flowing rugby.

Droitwich started the game indifferently allowing Camp Hill to dominate the initial exchanges, controlling the possession and dictating the plays, while Droitwich scrambled their defensive lines and looked disorganised.

Within the first 10 minutes Camp Hill took advantage of an off colour Droitwich to run in two early tries into the corner, giving Camp Hill a 10 to nothing lead. The second try and subsequent team talk sparked Droitwich into life, the next play saw the Droitwich pack back to their expected performance levels with excellent support from the backs, pressing Camp Hill into a more defensive game, while Droitwich’s aggressive play saw them dominate the set plays and scrimmaging, recycling the ball regularly as well as creating chances for the backs to also press their advantage.

After a period of intense pressure Droitwich backs broke through the Camp Hill defensive lines, resulting in a penalty try to be awarded to Droitwich which Sam Cave duly converted. The half now followed a set pattern with Droitwich now in the ascendancy, dominating Camp Hill and pressing for their second try only to have Camp Hill show some outstanding rear guard action to keep Droitwich out.

As the end of the half drew near with Droitwich entrenched on Camp Hill’s try line, Droitwich changed tactics and executed a set play which allowed Matt Watts to kick a drop goal, to finish the half with Droitwich and Camp Hill at 10 points all.

The second half started much the same as the first half ended, with Droitwich pressing Camp Hill for the opening try, the Droitwich forwards continued to dominate the Camp Hill pack recycling the ball when attacking but also turning over Camp Hill’s forays into Droitwich’s half. The backs ably supported the team efforts with some coordinated and aggressive tackling, allowing Camp Hill no time to organise themselves when in possession. Eventually the pressure told with Sam O’Brien diving over for a try by the posts which Sam Cave duly converted, giving Droitwich a 17 – 10 lead.

The half then became a battle for position and possession with both teams defending and attacking at will, knowing that the next points could be decisive to the final score. Camp Hill finally broke the deadlock with a scrambled try in the corner but didn’t succeed with the conversion, which left Droitwich with a slender 17 – 15 lead going into the final few minutes.

From the restart Droitwich continued to press their advantage over a tiring Camp Hill, determined to increase their score, working the ball all over the field with some inspired positional kicking from George Bishop and Matt Watts allowed the forwards to again dominate the set plays and provide Matt Watts with the opportunity to kick his second drop goal of the game, increasing Droitwich’s lead to 20 – 15, which was the final score.

Final Score: Droitwich 20 - Camp Hill 15.

Man of the Match: Ciaran Ginty.

Kidderminster 8 - Droitwich 12

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Droitwich hung on for a hard fought win at Kidderminster Carolians on Saturday to keep up their title challenge in Midlands Division 3 West (South).

Some good handling saw John Critchlow make a trademark break from the centre to find Sean Walker in support. Steve Poke took the ball further to feed winger Simon Pearce to dive over in the corner.

The home side hit back strongly, using their dominant scrummage to take the ball to Droitwich, although good defence by Nick Godfrey and Matt Blackmore kept Droitwich's nose in front.

More pressure by Kidderminster, saw Droitwich infringe. The penalty was kicked to reduce the lead.

The second half began much as the first with both sides trying to go forward strongly, but neither side managed to assert any real authority on the game.

A good break by Steve Poke found Jon Andrews in support. Quick ball was then sent down the three quarter line for Walker to dummy his way over to score. Crucially Hughes added the difficult conversion.

Kidderminster came back strongly, using their strong pack to pin Droitwich back into their own 22. As time was running out the home side drove over the line to reduce the deficit to just four points. The final five minutes were frantic as Kidderminster desperately tried to find the winning score, but the visitors' defence held firm to record a hard fought victory.

The Spa side now focus their attention on their 6th round EDF Senior Vase clash with Devon side Cullompton next Saturday.

After the game outside half Duncan Hughes added “Kidderminster really threw everything at us today, but our defence was good and we took our chances well. We are all looking forward to next week's cup game.”

Droitwich U15's 40 - Burntwood U15's 5

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Droitwich again found themselves travelling up the M6, this time to Burntwood RFC, for an enthralling match where Droitwich aimed to build on the steady improvements seen since the start of the New Year.

The game was played in a close compact ground with a heavy pitch which didn’t lend itself to flowing, expansive rugby.

Droitwich announced their intentions when in the first 5 minuets Matt Watts powered through to score Droitwich’s first try of the game. This set the tempo of the first half with Sam Cave taking advantage of Burntwood’s errors to kick a penalty.

After the restart Droitwich pressed forward, resulting in Adam Sutterby running in for a try, and after some persistent play from the forwards Sam O’Brian charged over for the final try of the half, presenting Droitwich with a half time lead of 18 points to nil.

The second half saw some spirited attacking by Burntwood, but Droitwich continued to put up a resolute defence, and turning some excellent positional kicking by Matt Watts into scoring opportunities, with Kieran Ginty diving over for Droitwich’s first try of the second half.

Burntwood continued to press and were rewarded with a try in the corner. From the restart Droitwich’s intent to maintain their lead was evident with the forwards grinding their way up the slope of the pitch to leave Burntwood pressed into defending their try line, where finally from a set play Anton Preece dived through to score in the corner.

The game now followed a similar pattern to the first half with Droitwich pressing the Burntwood pack into some spirited defending, but the continued pressure from the Droitwich pack twice had the ball over the line only to have their attacks pulled back for lack of grounding, when finally Sam O’Brian cut through from a scrum to score his second try of the match, which Matt Watts converted.

In the final minutes of the half Luke Topping ran in the last try of the game to round off what was a very entertaining match.

Final score: Droitwich 40 - Burntwood 5

Men of the Match: Adam and Josh Sutterby

Droitwich 7 - Nuneaton Old Edwardians 5

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Droitwich squeezed home on Saturday, despite turning in their worst performance of the season in a thoroughly poor and error-strewn game. Although it must be said the drizzle and poor under foot conditions did not lend themselves to flowing rugby.

Droitwich started brightly for Nick Godfrey and Phil Horton to go close, before Steve Poke dummied his way over to score. Duncan Hughes added the difficult conversion.

The visitors came back hard and seemed to have the lion’s share of the ball, but solid tackling by the Droitwich midfield kept them at bay. The score remained 7 nil at the interval.

The second period saw some lacklustre defence by the Spa side, allowing Nuneaton to pull a score back.

As the game wore on Droitwich became less able to control the ball and eventually hung on for the closest of victories.

After the memorable games of the last two weeks it seemed inevitable that a poor one was round the corner. However Droitwich will be satisfied that they came away with a win, despite playing so poorly — a sentiment echoed by prop forward Ben Thomas, who added “We never really got going today, but ultimately we did win so we must be satisfied with that.”

Droitwich to host Cullompton in the last 16 of the EDF Senior Vase

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Droitwich RFC have been drawn against Devon club Cullompton in round six of the EDF Senior Vase. We will play host to the Cornwall and Devon league side on Saturday, 2nd February. Kick-off at 2.15pm.

Droitwich U15's 58 - Rugeley U15's 0

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Droitwich set the tone of this encounter within the first 10 minutes of the first half presenting Rugeley with a well organised and committed attack and defence. Their dominance was soon rewarded with Adam Sutterby driving over for the first try of the game which was converted by Oliver Swift.

Droitwich continued to dominate a spirited Rugeley side in set piece and open play, and continued to score freely with tries from Sam O’Brian, Jack Knight, Sam Cave and Joshua Sutterby with Oliver Swift scoring 3 more conversions, which gave a half time score of Droitwich 33 Rugeley 0.

The second half saw Droitwich pressing for more success, with some outstanding combination play, moving the ball down and across the field while probing for opportunities to split the Rugeley defence.

The rewards came when Oliver Swift slipped through to score a try and then took an opportunity to score a drop goal quickly after the restart.

At this point Droitwich could be forgiven for coasting to an impressive victory but the best was still to come. The highlight of the second half came when in quick succession Droitwich produced two outstanding tries, both driven and setup by the Droitwich pack pressing Rugeley’s defensive lines, before releasing the backs to display some outstanding handling skills scoring on both occasions. The try scorers were Joshua Sutterby and Jack Knight.

Droitwich continued to press Rugeley and within the final few minutes Luke Topping dived over to score the final try of the match.

The final score was Droitwich 58 Rugeley 0.

Coach’s Special mentions: Welcome return from injury to Ashley Davies and James Leatherland, an excellent kicking performance from Oliver Swift, outstanding display of committed rugby from Adam and Joshua Sutterby.

For a superb performance the Droitwich Man of the Match is Sam Cave.

Droitwich 18 - Vipers 0

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Droitwich progressed to the last 16 of the EDF Senior Vase with a disciplined display at the Memorial Ground on Saturday, overcoming Vipers of Leicester.

Droitwich U15's 20 - Luctonians U15's 0

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Droitwich started the New Year by welcoming Luctonians to their ground for what turned out to be a very entertaining contest.

Droitwich started the match determined to build on the form and commitment shown since the start of the 2007 season, pressurising Luctonians back into a defensive position for most of the first half, which looked to be heading to a scoreless conclusion until Josh Sutterby charged through to score under the posts, with Oliver Swift’s conversion giving a half time score of seven nil to Droitwich.

The second half continued the same way as the first with Droitwich forwards probing the Luctonians defensive lines creating space for the backs to exploit. As the game continued, errors allowed Droitwich to extend their lead with two well taken penalties by Oliver Swift.

Finally, Sam O’Brian finished off a period of forwards pressure by crashing over for Droitwich’s second try of the game which Oliver Swift converted.

Final Score: Droitwich 20 - Luctonians 0.

Man of the Match: Matt Watts.

Sutton Coldfield 24 - Droitwich 24

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Droitwich played their part in a gripping and highly entertaining top of the table clash on Saturday, before scoring in the final minute of injury time to share the spoils.

Droitwich Rugby Football Club

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