The forensic post match analysis of this game in
the bar afterwards was full on and dedicated.
Wyvern
travelled to Minehead with 20 players, despite last minute let downs by
Coupe and Ash. Hatchback was apparently pebble-dashing his loo!
The game started well with good possession for the Wyvern, Jamie Porcas
playing in only his second game jumping high in the line outs assisted
by Lawton and Harding.
Wyvern had control of Forward play and
took a rolling maul into the Minehead 22, the ‘Dean Richards’ of Wyvern,
No8 Chris Richards took the ball blindside and ran in against a poor
defence to score, unconverted. 0-5.
Five minutes later, after
some good possession Wyvern were attacking well. Minehead conceded
penalties and were set to suffer as Wyvern kicked to touch inside their
22 to allow his forwards to attack the line again.
Unfortunately
the ball was never won cleanly, either dropped or deemed ”not straight”
by the ref, several times good opportunities were missed.
A
similar penalty conceded this time in the centre of the pitch gave
Wyvern chance to put well deserved points on the board and Stanley,
gracing us with his presence from Somerton, stepped up from centre to
get Wyvern 3 points.
Losing yet another piece of good possession
in Mineheads 22, after line out was deemed not straight again, Copper
had words with Hooker Grant to sort his game out.
At the
subsequent scrum Grant took one against the head, thanks to a great
drive form locks Doug ‘Velcro Man’ James and Jamie Porcas. Wyvern had
possession back, Deano picked up from the base and ran blindside with
Kev Black supporting. Again the Minehead defence was caught napping,
Richards fainted a pass to Black but ran through almost untouched
himself to score his second. Unconverted 0-13.
Wyvern changed
tactics and decided to run quick ball using their backs to run wide
rather than continue with the faultering lineout. Several plays where
the ball was spun out, did not go to hand. Mark Allder directing things
at 10, had Hodge and Stanley to control in order for the Vet Hughes and
Billy Whizz to get the ball. This was a task not wished on anybody and
some good plays where it seemed a formality to score, Wyvern failed to,
either the wrong option taken or running out of space.
Were
Wyvern going to miss Hatchback (at home with the shits) who has been
such a rock in the centres so far this year?
Despite Wyverns
missed opportunities, Minehead had nothing to come back with. In fact it
was only in one move, completely against the run of play, that Minehead
broke through the Wyvern defence and got in behind. Only a last ditch
tackle from Bill Whizz covering across, stopped the score but with some
good supporting runners in Mineheads colours the try came. Initially
halted the ball was kept by Minehead at the ruck, Minhead’s No 12 picked
his line well as Wyvern were still covering back, he crashed over taking
the Wyvern tackler with him to score. Unconverted 5-13.
Wyvern,
who wanted to act quickly to cancel out the score and to stay on top,
pressured well from the kick off, possession was turned over and with
the forwards crashing into their opposite numbers, well the subsequent
penalty was inevitable.
Again inside their own 22 Minehead
seemed to switch off in defence. Flookie playing today at 9 stood as if
to give the ball to his charging forwards, but took the ball himself
dummying a pass to the backs he went for the line himself, a zig-zag run
saw him cross the line untouched to score under the posts. Conversion
made by Mitchell. 5-20.
Chris Richards scored his third (Jug
please) and Wyvern's 4th giving them a bonus point with yet another
charging run.
Minehead had possession at the line out but this
was stolen by Porcas jumping at the front. Wyvern secured possession and
drove hard in the maul putting Minehead on the back foot. Richards
peeled off and ran in untouched to score under the posts, converted by
Mitchell, 5-27.
There was still time in the half for Wyvern to
score again. Some loose ball in the middle of the park saw Copper have a
rare run with the ball in hand, throwing a Dougie like dummy he went
past the first player before getting tackled. The ball was recycled
quickly and the forwards continued crashing through the middle. Dave
Lawton went on a rumble and was stopped about 5 metres out, he stayed on
his feet and with Kev Black again supporting well, he was this time
given the ball and ran in under the posts to score and give Wyvern the
win by half time. Converted by Mitchell 5-34.
Only two changes at
half time by Coach Knell, choosing to save himself for later in the
match........ On came Cookie in the 2nd row for James who had refed...
sorry, played well (He looked very upset too, apparently he’d been
saving some energy for the full 80?) Tony Scot came on for Harding in
the front row.
The backs centre pairing of ‘Laurel and Hardy’
(Stanley and Hodge) were given more time to put right missed
opportunities in the first half.
The re-start was a heart in
mouth moment as Stanley kicked off. Only he will know why, but having
asked all but one player to stand left ..... did he kick right!!!!!!!!
The rather surprised Minehead winger couldn’t believe his luck. He
gathered the ball and ran down the wing for some 30m metres unopposed.
Copper covering across kept him honest and to the touch line and brother
Hughes tackled well to save Stanley’s blushes.
Minehead played
well in the first 15mins keeping possession and showing some resilience.
However they never looked likely to breach the Wyvern defence. The
Wyvern forwards were becoming dominant in all areas and really keeping
the pressure on Minehead’s half backs. Then Wyvern brought on Tiny in
the centres to give Stanley time to repent and hopefully some points for
the backs.
With two options now in the line out for Wyvern;
Porcas and Cookie jumping well, the game settled down. Good possession
was given to the backs but once again some opportunities missed, poor
Billy Whizz barely had a sniff of the try line all day. Final passes
always seemed rushed or too ambitious. Minehead were still aggressive in
their play and the ref did well at times to calm things as ‘handbags’
were thrown by their No 12 who was now playing in the back row.
Man of the match and ‘Peter Pan’ of rugby Flookie took advantage again
at a penalty close to Mineheads line. Again with the Forwards looking
for some crash ball, Flookie tapped and went himself, this time with no
gaps to run through he squeezed himself like tooth paste through some
legs and scored his 2nd of the day. Unconverted 5-39.
The efforts
of the Wyvern forwards were taking their toll, Grant and Porcas came off
injured and Harding was back on to Prop with Black going to hook, Lawton
moved out to blindside flank and Doug ‘Velcro man’ James was allowed
back on to cover in second row. He bounded back on youthfully like he
had been reborn. The scrummaging was now really good and any possession
for Minehead was rushed and messy.
Minehead continued to play
hard and never gave in but some of their play was too aggressive and the
Ref had to have words after a high tackle on Velcro Man. His head was
stuck back on and he was able to play on.
With ten minutes left
Coach Knell brought himself on for Hodge in the Centres and the scene
was set for the returning Knell to score against his founding club.
Some good possession won by the Wyvern pack saw quick ball out to
their backs. A move was on where Knell was going to crash through and
score.......... in the tackle the ball was lost and possession turned
over.
In the final 5 minutess it was down to the Wyvern pack to
finish strongly. Another strong direct run from the break down saw
Richards taking on the defence. This time looking for support, he drew
his man in well to then give Capt Copper a 20m run in to the line. The
sole Minehead covering player had the pace but not the strength to stop
the score. With a solid hand off and using his momentum, Copper
stretched for the line, ball in one hand and scored Wyverns 7th try of
the game. Unconverted 5-44.
The ref ended the game not long after
the re-start, after another handbags set to involving their No12 and any
Wyvern player smaller than him.
Wyvern recorded another bonus point
win, in the league to keep pressure on Burnham at the top.
The
post match antics were enjoyed by all. A visit to the CSI cupboard at
work saw Captain Copper provide each player and Wyvern Supporter a white
suit, masks and gloves, ‘CSI Wyvern’ hit 6 pubs on their return journey
and not a single piece of evidence was left behind.
Vet, Gareth
Hughes who was playing his last game for Wyvern, due to job change and
fast approaching 40, was picked on by his fellow backs in the Carew Arms
and made to down a dirty pint. Didn’t he do well!
Happy
retirement Gareth.
Special thanks to Goddard for allowing us to
use his bus and to Grandad Howe for driving it.
Pete Mitchell
enjoyed his Liquor Milkshake curtesy of Velcro Man and Copper but then
let himself down and every other back, by vomiting it up all over the
roof, yes roof of the bus. Nice one Mitch especially as it then
proceeded to run down a number of windows!!!!
Wyvern are back in
league action after the Christmas Break, away at North Petherton on 7th
January.
See you at the Comedy night on 22nd.
Training
continues every Wednesday evening 6.45-8pm
Merry Christmas and
Happy New Year to one and all. |
