Late try deflates Romsey (From Romsey Advertiser)

Late try deflates Romsey

2:44pm Thursday 19th February 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

Romsey were deflated after conceding a late converted try in a Hampshire One thriller on Saturday.

But they got off to the worst possible start before taking the lead.

Romsey rewarded the Eastleigh pack's early industry with the softest of tries before rallying.

Dominance was established up front whilst the backs ran some inventive lines without capitalising.

But it was not long before the deficit increased further as the disciplinary problems that have plagued Romsey all season continued, the referee spotted the ball being killed on the floor resulting in a straightforward penalty to take the visitors 8-0 up.

But with the Romsey forwards gaining momentum and both Gav Harbour and Mark 'Monkeyman' Stent kicking intelligently for position and territory, the home defence kept Eastleigh fretting in their own half throughout the second quarter.

The prolonged period of pressure paid off.

A long defensive clearance was well taken by Dougal Trentham who ran back with gusto, stepping past the chasing fly half and selling a dummy to the inside centre and motored into the visitors’ 22.

With the defensive line in tatters, there was still much to do.

Young Olly Sturgess, the first Colt ever to play in the senior side, took a subtle inside pass and showed great feet and a clever line to wreak further havoc; he was unlucky not to open his account when hauled down yards from the tryline.

The ever-imposing forwards took control with a series of well-worked forward phases.

Just as the ball should have gone out wide, the pack backed up their self confidence by barging over from short range to leave Stent a straightforward conversion.

It was a try to raise morale and give the home side the impetus, though Eastleigh led 8-7 at half-time.

Romsey had a try controversially disallowed early in the second half when the lively Sturgess's quick throw-in found Trentham on the halfway line.

Hooker Ben Hewitt caught his eye out wide and unmarked and a beautifully weighted diagonal kick bobbled over the line for Hewitt to touch down unopposed - but the referee penalised the scorer for being in front of the kicker.

With their backs to the wall, another forced clearance found full back Adam Knibb, who turned defence into attack with a sublime kick beyond the Eastleigh defence that gave the fullback no option but to run the ball into touch ten yards out.

From the resulting lineout a neat one-two involving James Still provided Hewitt another opportunity which he finished with aplomb in the corner to give Romsey a 12-8 lead.

Although Stent narrowly missed the conversion, he soon stretched the home side’s advantage with a tricky penalty.

When required defensively, Michael Peace was outstanding.

He put his ever-increasing frame on the line, while Gareth Roberts and Jerry Francis carried the fight bravely to the visitors with the ball in hand.

Their team mates continued to impress with lineouts and scrums, providing excellent platforms for Harbour to release his gifted backs. Knibb, Sturgess, Andy Stewart and Graham Lusty almost broke clear on separate occasions.

But with five minutes to go a lack of concentration deep in the Romsey 22 allowed Eastleigh centre Manny Fereira to muscle over for a try he converted to tie the game.

For more rugby don't miss this week's edition of the Romsey Advertiser.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)