Sep 17 - LNE3 Newmarket (A)

W  26 - 29  Report

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On a bright, warm afternoon in Newmarket, Wymondham recorded their first win of the season and also claimed the bonus point for scoring four tries.

 Despite having to make enforced changes due to last minute injuries, Wymondham made a bright start playing good, structured, rugby following the patterns they had been practicing on the training ground.

A scything run from Alex Brugger, started in his own half, cut through the Newmarket midfield and ended with him delivering a scoring pass to the influential flanker Chris Brown who had done exceptionally well to keep up with the flying winger.

Both sides were then guilty of loose play with the difficult cross-wind making life difficult for kickers both out of hand and when attempting penalty kicks; with hindsight, Wymondham might have profited more from keeping the ball in hand and using their dangerous backs rather than kicking away possession as the lead changed hands several times as the game progressed.

At half-time, having conceded two tries and slotted two penalties through James Wyatt, Wymondham found themselves behind by 11 points to 12 and as the second half progressed, the scores were to remain extremely close as, every time Wymondham scored and seemed about to dominate the game, they let the opposition bounce back and score.

Following excellent handling from captain Pena Sokia and the hard working Soul Phoenix, Steven Sims made it two tries in two weeks when he finished off a flowing move while Tom Wilson crossed the line after Sokia had collected a wayward kick from the Newmarket defence and made a typical surging run to set up the score.

As the game moved towards a conclusion, play became fragmented but the revamped Wymondham forwards gave a very good account of themselves with Canning and Mickelburgh prominent and Barry O’Sullivan, playing in an unaccustomed position at flanker, having a fine, disciplined, game.

Entering the last ten minutes with Newmarket leading, young scrum half, Harry Anderson-Brown, spotted an opportunity and made a sniping blind side run to score in the corner and inch his team ahead by 29 points to 26.

Although this proved to be the winning score, Wymondham still had to endure a heart-stopping series of 5 meter scrums in front of their posts until the referee finally called time.

All in all, a pleasing performance and one which will put Wymondham in good heart for their local derby with Norwich next Saturday.

Tries: Chris Brown, Tom Wilson, Steven Sims, Harry Anderson-Brown. Pens: James Wyatt (3).

John Mackay- Wymondham RFC

Directions to Newmarket Rugby Club CLICK HERE

Team Selection

1. Dane Canning
2. Josh Mickleburgh
3. Nigel Brown
4. Josh Wright
5. David Blake
6. Andy Duckham
7. Chris Brown
8. Soul Pheonix
9. James Wyatt
10. Tom Wilson
11. Richard Dodds
12. Barry O'Sullivan
13. Pena Sokia
14. Alex Brugger
15. Steve Simms
16. James Phillips
17. Matt Ambrose
18. Harry Anderson-Brown