Bournemouth v Marlborough

In a heart-stopping clash, Bournemouth put up a fierce fight against Marlborough, but ultimately fell short, losing 28-34. The match was a rollercoaster of momentum swings and hard-hitting plays.

Marlborough set the tone early, but Josh Sanchez expertly placed the return kick that cleared the Lions lines. The lineout that followed, however, was met with staunch defence from Lions. This led to a knock-on and a scrum awarded to Lions.

Despite a mighty push in the scrum by Marlborough, the Lions managed to secure the ball, executing a well-timed kick to clear. The ball was caught by Marlborough, setting up an attacking lineout. The ensuing play showcased Marlborough’s determination, resulting in a 50:22 kick and another lineout in a prime position.

A brief pause in play allowed Johnny Young to receive the necessary treatment, underlining the intensity of the match. Marlborough then initiated a rolling maul that culminated in a try. Although the conversion attempt missed, Marlborough took an early lead at 0-5.

From the ensuing kick-off, the ball was skilfully secured by Ryan Morrell. A high tackle led to a penalty for Lions, promptly converted by Hancox, narrowing the gap to 3-5.

Lions secured possession from the kick-off, taking advantage of penalties conceded by Marlborough. This led to Hancox putting the Lions’ in the lead to 6-5.

As the first half wore on, both teams fought fiercely, with Marlborough finding themselves conceding penalties. Lions capitalised, gaining valuable ground. However, a missed touch-finding kick and a subsequent successful follow-up by Lions put Marlborough under pressure. The resulting scrum saw Lions gaining the upper hand.

Ryan Woodford’s debut, replacing Henry Turner, injected new energy into the game. A well-executed kick found touch, leading to a secured lineout and a subsequent try for Marlborough. With the conversion, they extended their lead to 6-12.

Tensions ran high, with moments of pushing and shoving on the field. Morrell received a yellow card, and Lions were cautioned for penalties. Marlborough’s dominance in the scrums persisted, earning them a penalty, allowing them to clear to halfway.

Despite some challenges in the lineout, Marlborough managed to maintain control. Lions’ attempts to gain possession were thwarted, leading to another penalty. Marlborough’s scrum remained strong, and they executed a kick to touch. However, a subsequent lineout error gave Lions a defensive scrum.

Desmond received the ball from the scrum, but a penalty was conceded, resulting in a warning for Lions. A tap and go penalty attempt didn’t yield progress, and Lions managed to hold up the play, leading to a scrum awarded to them. In a powerful display, Lions pushed over the line, resulting in a Marlborough try. With a successful conversion, Marlborough took the lead at 14-17.

The match continued with a series of intense plays, including knock-ons, scrums, and penalties. Both teams displayed exceptional resilience, but Marlborough managed to break through Lions’ defence, extending their lead to 14-29.

Lions, however, found their footing in the scrums, allowing them to regain possession and launch an impressive attack. Hancox and Taylor combined for a spectacular try, followed by a successful conversion, narrowing the gap to 21-29.

The final minutes saw both teams fiercely contesting every inch of the field. Marlborough secured another try, extending their lead to 28-34.

Despite a tense final push by Lions, with Jodie Wayman winning a penalty close to the Marlborough line, Marlborough managed to secure a hard-fought victory. The match ended 28-34, showcasing the unwavering determination of both teams.

In recognition of an outstanding performance, Ash Taylor was named the Man of the Match for his exceptional contributions throughout the game. His prowess in crucial moments played a pivotal role in keeping the Lions in the game.