Sat 26 Nov 2022
Thatcham II 3 Shire Hall 89
After two big victories, Shire Hall were looking to continue their good run with a victory against Thatcham. Again unavailability of players meant a different look to the side that beat Phoenix two weeks earlier. Thanks again to Steph Margot for driving over 100 miles to help out. From the outset, Shire took the game to Thatcham and within four minutes had registered their first score as a result of a quick pick up at the base of the scrum by Matt Margot. This score was quickly followed by a similar close range try by Ollie Homan-Green. Both tries were converted by Rhys Stewart to give Shire a 14-0 lead after only 10 minutes. Will Jellicoe scored next in typical style, quickly followed by a debut try for Rory. Both conversions from Rhys hit the post and no further points were added. The next try was something of a collector’s item. After some good handling by Sam Watkins and Alex Webb, Tom Birch stumbled (literally) over the line to record his first try for quite a few years. Thatcham then started to come into the game and apply pressure on the Shire defence but that held firm until encroachment at a ruck gifted Thatcham a penalty which they duly converted to give them their only points. It was now time to see the Steph Margot show when he danced through the Thatcham defence to score under the posts which Rhys managed to convert. Rhys then scored his first try of the season wide on the right. The conversion went astray – all his own fault for scoring so wide out!
Half Time Score: Thatcham II 3 Shire Hall 43
The second half started with a brilliant try with Laurie Moss going over, quickly followed by Matt Margot’s second try of the game when he broke through a few tackles to score under the posts. Both tries were converted by Rhys to make the score 60-3. A swift handling move by the backs saw Rhys Stewart going over for his second try before Luke Barefoot’s run from long range resulted in a further try. The next score came after some good ruck ball was fed to Ollie Homan-Green who was standing on the blind side, unattended. A typical Chris Wiseman quick penalty saw him create space and, with an outrageous dummy, went over before Laurie Moss crossed for his second try. The final score went to Alex Webb who touched down wide on the right. This was an excellent team performance with much improvement in the handling, off loading and support play. 15 tries scored and not one for speedster Jonny Parry!!
Final Score: Thatcham II 3 Shire Hall 89
Tries: Matt Margot (2), Ollie Homan-Green (2), Laurie Moss (2), Rhys Stewart (2), Will Jellicoe, Rory, Tom Birch, Steph Margot, Luke Barefoot, Chris Wiseman, Alex Webb
Conversions: Rhys Stewart (7)
MOTM: Laurie Moss – excellent tackling, lines of running and two tries.
DOTD: Rhys Stewart – had new boots but complained later that he was too tired to kick all the conversions.
