Romsey 50 Christchurch 38
A good size crew was treated to a Xmas feast of rugby between Romsey and Christchurch in a friendly that was played in place of the league match that had been awarded to Romsey following several player departures from the visitors who were bolstered by some guest stars from the home side.
A fumbled kick-off allowed Alex Watts to scorch into the Romsey 22 but in the ensuing attack a dropped ball permitted Ollie Soundy to pick up and fed Darran Hall and this gave the home side a solid base from which to clear and then counter attack which resulted in them being held up over the line. From the drop out some deft hands from the coach allowed the captain to burst forwards but he had the ball pinched by the Scrooge in the opposition back row, a pinching technique perfected on mince pies judging from his waistline, but some clever link play from Dylan Scott permitted Ioan Elliott to wriggle over for the first try of the afternoon.
More slick handling from the home side moved the ball wide to PJ Boden who thundering surge down the side line was foiled by a high tackle and from the lineout, Romsey’s own version of Tiny Tim, Jack Murrant slipped over the line for the first of his 5 tries. A wayward clearance was returned with interest by Brad Piper and slick handling from Nat Greathead allowed the younger Scott to dive over in the corner to make the score 17-0.
After an untidy lineout head coach Jason Berry manhandled Ebenezer Creal into a marginally offside position but the wily veteran was able to just get his feet back on side to deliver a thunderous tackle on the coach, that the crowd compared to 2 bull elephant seal colliding, with the older man stripping the ball away but also firing up the coach playing his first game in 6 years. Some free flowing rugby from the visitors saw them go the length of the pitch to cut the lead before a mistake at a scrum allowed Murrant to bag converted try number 2 to make it 24-7.
A mistake at the kick-off caused Romsey to concede a penalty that Scrooge took quickly and fed Oli Glanville who weaved his way up to the 5m line before a smooth pass from Josh Cleif gave the supporting player space to dive over to make it 24-12. From the restart the visitors again stretched the home side and when a penalty was contested an extra 10m were granted giving the visitors a lineout 5m away. From this they tried a sneaky front peel but were thwarted by the potent Brad Hughes which resulted in a scrum from which Harrison Scott redeemed himself by winning a turnover penalty which Romsey cleared.
A scrappy 10 minutes of error strewn play brought the half to an end with crowd wondering if shopping in West Quay might have been a better decision.
Those who had chosen to watch the rugby were delighted as there then followed some excellent attacking rugby. Christchurch started the second half with a bang scoring a try almost straight from the restart which seemed to wake Romsey up. Harrison Scott, leading by example, turned over his opponent and the ball was moved wide to Tyler Beardsley who’s delicate kick through caused consternation in the defence and the scuffed clearance kick was picked up by Elliott who weaved through to score to make it 31-19 with a cheeky drop goal conversion.
With Hughes commanding the air, the ball went from Scott to Murrant who raced over from 50m to extend the lead. Christchurch came back again but were denied a try when they were deemed to have used the referee as a blocker but from the scrum the shortest number 8 ever to play at Romsey moved the ball down the blindside and a try was scored wide out to reduce the lead.
A dropped ball at the kick-off allowed Murrant to pick it up and jink through to make it 43-24 to the home side. At the next kick-off Elliott Johnson rose 3cm off the ground to claim the catch but was turned over and spotting a large crack Dylan Scott burst through it to become possibly the first player to score for and against Romsey in the same game.
The crowd were now in ecstasy having seen 5 tries in 10 minutes of play, defence coaches were looking for a darkened room to lie down in.
From a penalty Brad Piper raced for the try line only to be tackled by Jay “glass shoulders” Hodges, who repeated the trick and turned the ball over and it was moved to the far side of the pitch. Johnson found himself in the middle of the park having a quiet breather when suddenly the ball appeared in his arms and he looked up. To his terror he saw 60 meters of open space in front of him, 1 man to beat, 65 year old club president John Gray outside him in support and took the sensible option and hoofed the ball into touch rather than expend any more energy. Following an injury break Murrant chipped ahead for his 5th try to extend the lead.
After a period of cagey play, Soundy spotted a stray mince pie and there was no way he was going to be denied it bouncing Murrant back several meters before offloading to a Christchurch player who scored wide out. This was improved by one of the best conversions since the one on the way to Damascus.
A storming bu
Romsey and Christchurch combine for the 12 tries of Christmas in a festive feast of flowing rugby
Romsey 50 Christchurch 38
A good size crow was treated to a Xmas feast of rugby between Romsey and Christchurch in a friendly that was played in place of the league match that had been awarded to Romsey following several player departures from the visitors who were bolstered by some guest stars from the home side.
A fumbled kick-off allowed Alex Watts to scorch into the Romsey 22 but in the ensuing attack a dropped ball permitted Ollie Soundy to pick up and fed Darran Hall and this gave the home side a solid base from which to clear and then counter attack which resulted in them being held up over the line. From the drop out some deft hands from the coach allowed the captain to burst forwards but he had the ball pinched by the Scrooge in the opposition back row, a pinching technique perfected on mince pies judging from his waistline, but some clever link play from Dylan Scott permitted Ioan Elliott to wriggle over for the first try of the afternoon.
More slick handling from the home side moved the ball wide to PJ Boden who thundering surge down the side line was foiled by a high tackle and from the lineout, Romsey’s own version of Tiny Tim, Jack Murrant slipped over the line for the first of his 5 tries. A wayward clearance was returned with interest by Brad Piper and slick handling from Nat Greathead allowed the younger Scott to dive over in the corner to make the score 17-0.
After an untidy lineout head coach Jason Berry manhandled Ebenezer Creal into a marginally offside position but the wily veteran was able to just get his feet back on side to deliver a thunderous tackle on the coach, that the crowd compared to 2 bull elephant seal colliding, with the older man stripping the ball away but also firing up the coach playing his first game in 6 years. Some free flowing rugby from the visitors saw them go the length of the pitch to cut the lead before a mistake at a scrum allowed Murrant to bag converted try number 2 to make it 24-7.
A mistake at the kick-off caused Romsey to concede a penalty that Scrooge took quickly and fed Oli Glanville who weaved his way up to the 5m line before a smooth pass from Josh Cleif gave the supporting player space to dive over to make it 24-12. From the restart the visitors again stretched the home side and when a penalty was contested an extra 10m were granted giving the visitors a lineout 5m away. From this they tried a sneaky front peel but were thwarted by the potent Brad Hughes which resulted in a scrum from which Harrison Scott redeemed himself by winning a turnover penalty which Romsey cleared.
A scrappy 10 minutes of error strewn play brought the half to an end with crowd wondering if shopping in West Quay might have been a better decision.
Those who had chosen to watch the rugby were delighted as there then followed some excellent attacking rugby. Christchurch started the second half with a bang scoring a try almost straight from the restart which seemed to wake Romsey up. Harrison Scott, leading by example, turned over his opponent and the ball was moved wide to Tyler Beardsley who’s delicate kick through caused consternation in the defence and the scuffed clearance kick was picked up by Elliott who weaved through to score to make it 31-19 with a cheeky drop goal conversion.
With Hughes commanding the air, the ball went from Scott to Murrant who raced over from 50m to extend the lead. Christchurch came back again but were denied a try when they were deemed to have used the referee as a blocker but from the scrum the shortest number 8 ever to play at Romsey moved the ball down the blindside and a try was scored wide out to reduce the lead.
A dropped ball at the kick-off allowed Murrant to pick it up and jink through to make it 43-24 to the home side. At the next kick-off Elliott Johnson rose 3cm off the ground to claim the catch but was turned over and spotting a large crack Dylan Scott burst through it to become possibly the first player to score for and against Romsey in the same game.
The crowd were now in ecstasy having seen 5 tries in 10 minutes of play, defence coaches were looking for a darkened room to lie down in.
From a penalty Brad Piper raced for the try line only to be tackled by Jay “glass shoulders” Hodges, who repeated the trick and turned the ball over and it was moved to the far side of the pitch. Johnson found himself in the middle of the park having a quiet breather when suddenly the ball appeared in his arms and he looked up. To his terror he saw 60 meters of open space in front of him, 1 man to beat, 65 year old club president John Gray outside him in support and took the sensible option and hoofed the ball into touch rather than expend any more energy. Following an injury break Murrant chipped ahead for his 5th try to extend the lead.
After a period of cagey play, Soundy spotted a stray mince pie and there was no way he was going to be denied it bouncing Murrant back several meters before offloading to a Christchurch player who scored wide out. This was improved by one of the best conversions since the one on the way to Damascus.
A storming burst by Lewis “I only play for Roms” Cartledge gave Romsey a platform in the visitors 22 but a floaty pass gave Brad Piper the chance to rearrange Jay Hodges’ ribs but the situation was rescued by Will Harrison who gained ground in an attempt to seal the win but was turned over by a short number 8 and an old man allowing Christchurch to attack again. In this attack their winger fell awkwardly and with the sun vanishing and players tiring it was agreed to end the match a few minutes early.
Both captain Harrison Scott and coach Jason Berry agreed that “it was good to help Christchurch out, they came up here with 9 and we had some spares this week so it was a perfect opportunity to get the boys who are not playing regularly some game time”.
Romsey sit in 2nd place in Counties 3 Hampshire at Christmas and return to league action on 11/1/25 away at Eastleigh with senior rugby return to Ganger Farm a week later when Ventnor travel over.
Happy Christmas.
rst by Lewis “I only play for Roms” Cartledge gave Romsey a platform in the visitors 22 but a floaty pass gave Brad Piper the chance to rearrange Jay Hodges’ ribs but the situation was rescued by Will Harrison who gained ground in an attempt to seal the win but was turned over by a short number 8 and an old man allowing Christchurch to attack again. In this attack their winger fell awkwardly and with the sun vanishing and players tiring it was agreed to end the match a few minutes early.
Both captain Harrison Scott and coach Jason Berry agreed that “it was good to help Christchurch out, they came up here with 9 and we had some spares this week so it was a perfect opportunity to get the boys who are not playing regularly some game time”.
Romsey sit in 2nd place in Counties 3 Hampshire at Christmas and return to league action on 11/1/25 away at Eastleigh with senior rugby return to Ganger Farm a week later when Ventnor travel over.
Happy Christmas.