Mariners sail in to the new year with style

Saturday 8^th January 2011

Chineham II 8 – 73 Lymington Mariners

With Southampton III unable to fill the planned league fixture this weekend, The Mariners travelled to Basingstoke to face this week’s opponents for a friendly in somewhat balmier weather than encountered in their last match.  Balmier, perhaps, maybe over egging it considering this reviewers struggles to hold a pen throughout let alone take notes.  However, on this occasion the players were less likely to ‘break’ themselves or each other on the surface of this pitch – a more welcome scenario for some of our more delicate players!  In fact, the pitch was a far more comfortable prospect to land in owing to its stodgier nature with the only drawback being that it stuck to the player’s feet like a clingy ex-lover who just can’t accept it’s over.  This, understandably resulted in slower conditions, not helped by the reasonable gradient the Mariners found themselves climbing for the first half of the match.  In fact, the incline proved no advantage to the home side during this period with the Mariners’ scrum regularly pushing Chineham’s back up the hill they were attempting to come down.

All credit to Chineham II though who turned out with a predominantly young team.  However, it was clear early on that the Mariner’s try line was unlikely to be unduly worried about frequent visitations from the host team (although this may mostly be down to a lack of self awareness by said line owing to its non-sentience). With a final try count of one to the hosts and eleven to the visitors it was a tough day for Chineham II who could not cope with the sheer physicality of the Mariner’s pack and the flair of the centres, ably supported by the back three players.  In a game of many substitutions to allow game practise for players of both sides, it was pleasing to note that the quality and tempo was maintained throughout, although many of those substituted prior to Chineham’s forwards inspired second half try would suggest differently as many were quick to point out that they hadn’t allowed such an outrageous invasion of their turf, unlike those replacing them.

Throughout, the game was ably controlled by flyhalf Joe Rodway who regularly panicked the home defence with some neat footwork and countless breaks up field.  Good support and handling from his fellow team members helped ensure that many of these did not go to waste with several tries scored as a direct result of these runs.  Amongst these was a try by debutant Ben Rodway who received a generously presented pass from his brother to go over the line ten minutes before halftime.  Having been rewarded for his support on this occasion it looked like Ben would get his second shortly before the end of the match.  However, not wanting to be outscored by his brother, Joe decided to keep the ball and secure his second to follow up his and the Mariner’s opening score on four minutes.

Other first half try scorers included flanker Nick Bubb on 9 minutes after a turnover scrum by the Mariners in their own half, Steve O’Callahan dissecting the posts on 25 minutes, Mikey Jenner ten minutes later and Callum Kellas (with additional go-forward provided by Henry Wilkinson) in the final play of the first half.  Second half tries were scored by the other debutant Henry Wilkinson, a second for Nick Bubb (undoubtedly the try of the match following a fantastic break by inside centre Phil Jenner and some slick handling by the supporting; Tim Hinman with some slinky hip movement 5 metres out; and Mikey Jenner who slid in for his second shortly before the final whistle still wearing the grin from his first.   All but two of the tries were converted courtesy of the dependable boot of fullback Jamie Bolwell who decided to forego the kicking tee in favour of a drop conversion to mark the final score of the match – a successful kick which, judging from Jamie’s helium giggle following it, was of more surprise to him than his team mates (but then again maybe not!)

This week’s Lymington Rivaaz  man of the match award goes to the tanned and hairless Latvian Bruno Brods who had, as we’ve come to expect, an outstanding match at scrum half. Every pass hit its mark with pin-point accuracy, his support of the forwards was impeccable and in defence he ferociously cut down much loftier opponents with fearless ease.

This Saturday (15^th January) Mariners are away to Tottonians IV team in a top of the table clash, kick off 2pm.

Chineham Match Report