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Mixed Results for Fullerians Men
The 1st XV manage to secure a try bonus point in their loss to OA's 2's The 2nd XV score 7 tries to beat Harpenden 2XV 49-14
Both our men's teams were in action at home last weekend, with a both securing try bonus points. Unfortunatley only one side was able to take the win.
On Saturday the 1st XV welcomed Old Albanians 2XV in our first taste of lower XV's in the RFU leagues, in the newly formed Counties 1 Herts. Needless to say, the outfit we faced was a very fit, strong and well drilled squad. Three tries in the first 20 minutes put Fullers on the backfoot 0-21, but some gutsy work from the forwards gave us a platform to build on, gaining territory and ultimately giving player coach Shaun Smith the opportunuty to crash over from short range. Fly-half Dan Evans slotted the conversion 7-21. This score appeared to galvanize the team, and was followed by a well worked moved, getting the ball out wide on the right wing for full back Ody Tsartsidis to score in the corner. 12-21. OA's came back strong, with 2 more converted tries to lead 12-35 before Smith crashed over again just before the break. Dan Evans took the extras to make the half time score 17-35.
AO's came out of the blocks strong again and took two more tries early in the second half before Will Smith went over, securing the bonus point for Fullerians. 24-49. In the final quarter the visitor's fitness and size took their toll on the Fullers men, with the final score 24-73.
This Saturday our 1st XV are at home again, when we welcome Southend II, who narrowly beat Hemel Hempstead at home last time out. Kick off will be at 3pm.
Our 2nd XV faired much better against a Harpenden II outfit that came into the fixture unbeaten in the Counties 3 Herts league. The first quarter was scoreless and it took some superb finishing from Kimo Kirby to break the deadlock. Fly half and man-of-the-match Ed Baldwin took the extras to give the home side a 7-0 lead. Soon after, club stalwart Liam Boyd scored a trademark try from short range to open his account for the season. 14-0. Harpenden came back with renewed vigour, scoring in the corner just before half time. 14-5.
Early in the second half a Harpenden player went to the bin for a dangerous clear out at the ruck on Fullers captain Dan Caplan. Fullerians soon took advantage of the extra man with Kirby braking through for his second of the game. Baldwin was again on hand to take the extras. 21-5. With the momentum firmly on our side Fullerians added two more tries in quick succession with Bradon Fowler first and Sam Mullins second both showing impressive power and resilience to break the Harpenden defence for two superb individual scores. 35-5. In the final quarter club veteran Dave Jackson came on to shore up the home side lineout. The floodgates then opened with Boyd scoring his second try on 75 minutes before Fowler grabbed his brace in what could (should) have been the last play of the game. 49-5. The referee had other ideas though, and with the game in its 82nd minute Harpenden went over for a very late consolation try, which they managed to convert to make the final score 49-12.
This was a great performance by our 2nd XV, grinding down the opposition in the first quarter before letting loose with great shape and running play. Next Saturday Caplan's men travel to Old Grammarians for what is always a tough fixture.