Castle Donington RUFC 1st XV Showing Signs of Progress

Following on from last weekends drubbing at the hands of Nottingham Boots Corsairs Castle Donington travelled to Melton Mowbray, a club 2 leagues above them, to play their 3rd XV in another Pre-Season friendly. Having welcomed back a number of experienced players and strengthened the backline somewhat, Castle Donington were confident of a vastly improved performance and that’s what we got. The game was played in 20 minute quarters, the first of which saw Castle Donington having the better of the exchanges and applying pressure to the home side, particularly in the set piece. For all their efforts, however, it was a single penalty, converted by Mark Boddy, which separated the sides at the first break.

The second quarter was a complete contrast to the first, with Melton Mowbray now in the ascendancy. Castle Donington had failed to come out after the break and all the good work during the first period was in danger of being undone. Against the run of play, Castle Donington broke down field and, as Melton Mowbray tried to slow the ball in order for their defence to regroup, a penalty was awarded in front of the posts. The opportunity for easy points was turned down and Castle Donington elected to run the ball, a decision which was to prove costly. The ball was spun wide to Gareth Whittaker who, despite his efforts failed to beat the last defender and was bundled into touch. From the ensuing lineout, deep in their own 22, Melton Mowbray spied an opportunity of their own and decide to run the ball, poor tackling saw the Castle Donington back line breached and 2 short phases later Castle Donington were 7-3 down. Another try, which remained unconverted, followed before the half time whistle and the teams turned around with Melton Mowbray leading 12-3.

The 3rd quarter saw Melton Mowbray score another unconverted try before Castle Donington closed the gap with another penalty from Mark Boddy. As the quarter drew to a close there remained hope for Castle Donington as the pack had resumed their dominance in the scrum, although the lineout was looking decidedly rusty and Melton Mowbray probably had legitimate cause for claiming dominance in that area. It looked like the sides would have their final break with Melton Mowbray leading by 17-6, however, a weak defensive line and some poor tackling allowed the hosts in under the posts for a converted try and a 24-6 scoreline saw the game put out of reach with 20 minutes still to play.

The final quarter saw some good endeavour from Castle Donington, particularly in the pack, although Ian Lewis, playing his first game of the season, showed glimpses of his speed and ability in the backs too. Castle Donington were finally rewarded for their efforts when they drove the ball down the field in a series of well controlled forward phases. Loose Head Prop, Steven Bradley, showed a glimpse of his true potential, involving himself twice in the move with powerful surges through the opposition defence. Unfortunately it looked like the moment had passed when, finally, the defence sucked in, the ball was spun wide to blind side wing, Adam Millington, who crossed the line but was hit by a covering tackle and knocked on in goal. From the ensuing scrum Castle Donington Hooker, Tony Dykes, took yet another ball against the head and Skipper, Alan White, drove over for an unconverted try, some small consolation for the effort of the side. Melton Mowbray remained in control and had a further 2 unconverted tries of their own in the last period of the game leaving the final score 34-11 to the hosts. Once again, for Castle Donington, it was a story of what might have been. Weak tackling again meant that the team contributed more to Melton Mowbray winning than the opposition did themselves. On the plus side, however, the youngsters now have another game under their belts and all of the problems encountered are curable on the training field.

Next week sees Castle Donington play their first Home game of the season against Leesbrook in a game which will count jointly towards the NLD Plate and the Derbyshire Cup. Kick off is at 3pm at The Spital, Castle Donington, come along and support your local side.

 

Castle Donington 1st XV V’s Melton Mowbray 3rd XV;
Millington, Whittaker, Meakin, Key, Dabell J, Boddy, Brentnall, Bradley, Dykes, Whitehead, Evans, Harris, Cook, Keeling D, White.
Replacement; Lewis.