Bournemouth v Royal Wootton Bassett

Team Selection: The forwards remain unchanged from last week against Old Redcliffians, making it three games in a row. However, there were several changes in the backs. At full-back, the returning Alex Sutherland replaced Josh Wickens who was moved to the bench to replace Bailey Andrews, who was with the twos, for the just one change to the bench. Right wing Ashley Taylor was moved to the left wing in place of Jack Young, who was also with the twos. Zack Godfrey took over as right wing and his place at inside centre was taken by Grant Hancox moving from fly-half. Grant, in turn, was replaced by the returning Ben Meaden.

The weather was bright and sunny with a gentle Westerley breeze, that blew straight down the pitch. Underfoot, the pitch was very dry and firm.

Bournemouth prevailed in an entertaining ‘ding dong’ battle

RWB kicked off with the aforesaid wind from left to right as viewed from the stand and to their left.

Bournemouth got off to a good start when Man of the Match full-back Alex Sutherland fielded a RWB clearance kick to link with Mike Pope. The scrumhalf kicked and inside centre Grant Hancox, with a characteristic charge, made a great break. With Ben Russell in support, the flanker was there to go over for his fifth of the season. The reliable Hancox kicked the goal to extend his side’s lead

5m: Bournemouth 7-0 Royal Wootton Bassett

RWB showed how dangerous they might be when their threes ran the ball and Bournemouth were relieved to see the final pass not go to hand for a Bournemouth scrum. Pope was in much of the action with his kicks and a dart down the short side was promising but the kick went straight out, However, RWB always threatened, and their reward came at the end of the first quarter when, from a scrum inside their own 10m, RWB attacked right. Despite a great tackle by Sutherland, RWB recovered, and they were over in the corner. A great kick from wide out levelled the scores.

21m: Bournemouth 7-7 Royal Wootton Bassett.

In a period of play when kicking seemed to dominate it was a turnover at a RWB line-out saw Bournemouth attack right. Sutherland was in the line to make a crucial half break and a strong running attack was finished off by the boisterous Hancox when he scored in the left-hand corner. His kick at goal almost judged the wind to perfection but no cigar I’m afraid but at least Bournemouth had regained the lead.

32m: Bournemouth 12-7 Royal Wootton Bassett

However, RWB struck back almost immediately after the restart when Bournemouth were caught offside on their own 22m. RWB found touch to their right on the Bournemouth 5m. Thrown to the front, the RWB forwards drove for the line and, despite some fierce Bournemouth resistance, weren’t to be denied. A fine kick from wide out gave RWB the lead for the first time.

36m: Bournemouth 12-14 Royal Wootton Bassett

Again, with exchange of kicks dominating the play, neither side was able to break down the defence of the other. However, from a free kick that RWB ‘ran’, after Bournemouth had transgressed at a scrum, they attacked left. Jake Guildford intercepted the ball inside his own 22m and galloped up the field. Was the lock going to make it? Perhaps not but he made good ground and found fleet of foot left wing Ashley Taylor to his, well yes, left. As a result, RWB were issued the first of their three yellow cards by referee Jack Tompkins as they defended the threat. Bournemouth opted for a scrum ten metres out, went right and scored through the good offices of Hancox. The same player kicked the goal and Tompkins blew the whistle and they all trooped off to enjoy their half-time oranges and the coaches having a go about what went right and what went wrong I suppose.

40+5m: Bournemouth 19-14 Royal Wootton Bassett – Half-time.

Bournemouth soon found themselves under pressure after the restart. A knock-on at a line-out gave RWB a scrum from where they broke left taking play deep into the Bournemouth half. Despite dropping it and conceding a scrum they were awarded a free kick to set up an attack first right then back left. Despite a brave tackle in defence by flanker Ciaran Smyth Bournemouth were penalized. From in front of the posts RWB kicked the goal to reduce the deficit to just two points.

45m: Bournemouth 19-17 Royal Wootton Bassett

Bournemouth suffered a double whammy when they were guilty of being offside at the restart and, from the scrum on the halfway line, the RWB No8 broke off the back and went right. In the face of a good Bournemouth defence they came back left but broke out and were almost in but for the Bournemouth defence. However, the forwards regrouped, and they weren’t to be denied as they drove for the line to score under the posts. The kick was a formality and RWB had recovered their earlier lead.

47m: Bournemouth 19-24 Royal Wootton Bassett

Bournemouth soon struck back and, having had one ‘yellow carded’ player restored RWB had another sent off as they desperately fought to keep Bournemouth out. From a penalty, Sutherland found touch to his right on the RWB 5m. The forwards drove off the line-out and, despite being forced to ‘crab’ left, they went over under the posts for hooker Ben Kimber to score. Hancox kicked the goal to give a two-point lead.

54m: Bournemouth 26-24 Royal Wootton Bassett

Two minutes later left wing Ashley Taylor was over for Hancox to convert all happening too quick for you correspondent to record the action.

56m: Bournemouth 33-24 Royal Wootton Bassett

Bournemouth maintained the pressure if a little frustrated by ‘crossing’ here and ‘not straight’ there. It was from a line-out as a result of the later that RWB went left but got turned over and Hancox capitalized by scoring his third but failed with the conversion.

62m: Bournemouth 38-24 Royal Wootton Bassett

RWB struck back straight from the restart when they appeared to kick the ball out of Pope’s hands as he went to touch down for a drop-out to score an unconverted try.

65m: Bournemouth 38-29 Royal Wootton Bassett

Bournemouth were straight back down the other end. A drive off a line-out was ‘held up’ over the line for a scrum. RWB were penalized at the scrum and Hancox added to his tally.

71m: Bournemouth 41-29 Royal Wootton Bassett

Some promising Bournemouth moves were thwarted by the RWB defence, but a third yellow card saw Hancox kick another goal to end the scoring for the day.

78m: Bournemouth 44-29 Royal Wootton Bassett

Bournemouth continued to press in the closing minutes, but the RWP forced the turnovers and kept the home side out.

80+3m: Bournemouth 44-29 Royal Wootton Bassett

Bournemouth moved up two places, overtaking Brixham and Ivybridge, to seventh on 60 points: P25 W10 D0 L15; 630-636

Royal Wootton Bassett moved up one place, overtaking Okehampton. to 13th on 30 points: P25 W5 D1 L19; 464-826.

Bournemouth’s next match is in two-week’s time (April 23) away to Weston-super-Mare, KO 3.00PM. Check the KO time before travelling. Ed

Doug Warren

Scribe, Bournemouth RFC.