Verulamians pick up important away win

Herts/Middlesex 1

Old Actonians 17 Verulamians 25

SATURDAY was a day that could prove the turning point the rest of the Vees’ season with strong defence, in the lineout, scrum and tackling zone, leading to victory at Old Actonians.

Old Actonians couldn’t handle Vees’ pressure from the pack and gave away a penalty which was kicked over from Tom Malie.

After a strong start from Vees’ pack, with good rucking and phrase play, Rees was able to pop the ball off to Malie who stepped back in and sprinted from 22 past Old As’ full-back to score the first try. Malie then converted the kick.

The same sort of play came about for the second try. From an Old Actonians line out Luckhurst stole the ball and Vees’ forwards got a maul going. After a couple of phases with the forwards, Rees spread the ball wide to Choppin who sprinted clear for the line to score. It was the try that the Vees have been working on in training and Malie made no mistake in adding the extras.

Old Actonians came back with pressure of their own for a few minutes, but with Westhead stealing their lineout their set pieces had to change to get past the Vees jumpers.

With the pressure reversing back on to Old As, Vees forced the issue. From another lineout inside the opposition 22 Luckhurst again won the ball and set another maul up.

The Vees forwards pumped their legs with big tight-head, Ed John powering over the line.

Vees discipline could have let them down again, with Westhead, Choppin and Bloomfield shown the yellow card. With just 13 men the Vees gave their all but the Old As came back with three tries of their own only one of which was converted.

With Vees restored to a full compliment they showed courage and determination to win the points and after a great spell of play from the Cotlandswick side Old As gave away a penalty which Malie knocked over for three points and the win.

Vees’ next game is Old Priorian at home on Saturday with a curry night afterwards. Everyone is welcome.

Team line-up: John, Grey (Graham), Bloomfield, Luckhurst, Wildey, Coyle, Westhead, Edwards, Rees, Malie, Waters (Childerstone), Wooley (Kerry), Choppin, Paton, Ricci.