Fierce Battle

On a bright afternoon, with conditions near perfect for a feast of rugby, Fordingbridge II and Dorset Dockers II tried in vain to entertain.

Dockers had a large vocal following and a large replacements bench which was to be the downfall of a valiant Fordingbridge team. Lots of unavailability and last minute withdrawals did not help the cause in what was always going to be a tough encounter.

However, it was Fordingbridge who opened the scoring after 15 minutes when Daniel Rawson scored a well worked try, with backs and forwards combining well to send the ‘Single Speed’ youngster into the corner. Bremner Garner on his first outing of the season missed the conversion.

Dockers immediately hit back on 19 minutes when a fluffed line-out, ended up being tapped back and Dockers pounced to score an opportunistic try.

Fordingbridge were abrasive in the ruck and mauls and were competing for everything on the ground, with debutant Joe Brown hitting everything like an exocet missile. Andrew Godden playing his first ever game at 9 did an admirable job, which gained him the MOM award in the after match ceremony.

On 33 minutes Dockers scored their second try of the match and with the conversion this gave them a 5 – 12 lead. Fordingbridge then hit back with a try of their own from Ben Kirby, but with the conversion missed Bridge were still trailing.

Dockers style of play is to attack with their pacey backs and with a number of Fordingbridge players out of position they looked to exploit this and on the stroke of half time scored a fine try of their own.

Half Time Score 10 – 19

Joe Brown reintroduced to the game after a blood injury could not prevent a sloppy try where a number of missed tackles allowed Dockers to score their bonus try score and with an easy conversion they extended the lead to 10 – 26.

Dave Gogin was in inspiring form covering every blade of grass, rallying his troops to not give in. With parity in the scrums, the back row of the impressive Aaron Kew, Ben Kirby and Joe Brown, Fordingbridge looked to use their guile upfront with these guys putting us on the front foot on many occasions. The interpassing and ‘pop’ off the floor looked to exploit any weaknesses in the Dockers pack, with Jon Vass, latching on to a number of passes, ably supported by Anton Mayes who had one his strongest games in the Sky Blue of Fordingbridge.

Another injury this time to Alex Sanders forced another reshuffle in the backs with Zac Butler coming on as replacement, with some uncertainty in the backs Dockers hit Fordingbridge with a sucker blow, another converted try which could have signalled a chance for the flood gates to open.

Indiscipline on the Dockers side resulted in many penalties being awarded, and Bridge upped their game once more with Phillip Collier leading the charge, he linked with Bremner Garner who scored a try underneath the posts, however, a lack of a recognised goal kicker proved costly with the conversion missed the score was 15 – 33.

Again Bridge piled into the Dockers and with the away team still conceding a number of penalties at ruck time, Bridge sensed that they could push for a bonus try, a kick to the corner resulted in a perfectly executed catch and drive with Phillip Collier barraging over from close distance. Ben Kirby stepped up to take the difficult conversion, which hit the upright. 20 – 33 on 70 minutes.

Was an upset on the cards? Legs were tiring yet Alan Lamb grazed through would be tacklers, setting up a counter attack from within the Bridge 22, and Bridge looked for another score which would have made the final 10 minutes really interesting, however, Bridges luck ran out with the Dockers Full Back scoring close the posts and with the conversion kicked the final points of the game belonged to the Dockers.

Final Score 20 – 40

Lots of positives and a great comradery from the Fordingbridge team.
MOM Andrew Godden. DOD Dave Donaldson who must be lost!!