Herts/Middlesex One Verulamians 12 Old Merchant Taylors 27 A WEAK first-half performance by the Vees saw the game out of sight by half time as visitors OMTs took charge in the Herts/Middlesex One clash at Cotlandswick. Vees had 11 changes from their prev

Herts/Middlesex One

Verulamians 12 Old Merchant Taylors 27

A WEAK first-half performance by the Vees saw the game out of sight by half time as visitors OMTs took charge in the Herts/Middlesex One clash at Cotlandswick.

Vees had 11 changes from their previous outing and looked unsettled, giving away far too many penalties which enabled the visitors to gain territory and possession to attack. All four first-half tries for OMTs started as set pieces in the Vees 22.

The first half was not entirely doom and gloom though for the Vees. Hooker Russell Suter, in only his second start this season, crashed over for his first Vees try from a line out. Winger Ashley Westhead on his first start this season would have scored his first try for the Vees if the pass had gone to hand after a break from scrum half Trevor Munien down the blindside of a ruck. Vees went into the break trailing 27-5 and fighting to stop a landslide victory for OMTs.

The second half was a totally different game, largely being played in the OMTs half. The Vees pack was bulked up from the bench with the introduction of veteran Jon Ward and student vet Pete Howe. Vees relished the up-front challenges but failed to make the most of all the possession from set piece in the visitors half.

The OMTs defence fought strongly but Vees did manage one more score. The ball was eventually moved wide from one of the line-out catch and drives and big centre David Evershed stepped inside his man and barged his way over the line to score under the posts. The try capped a fine performance for the former Vees captain who remained a threat in the midfield all afternoon.

The loss leaves Vees mid-table with two more games to play. OMTs are now guaranteed promotion with Chiswick into London Four. Vees travel to Hitchin on Sunday for the semi final of the Herts Cup. This will be a warm up to their next league game, which is against Hitchin on the Saturday, March 29 at Cotlandswick.

Vees: S. Morris, R. Suter, N. Stewart, S. Mather, R. Elliot, P. Spyropulous, D. Coyle, R. Wildey, T. Munien, A. Evans, G. Waters, D. Evershed, G. Ellis, A. Westhead, J. Liddiard, J. Ward, P. Howe, D. Westhead.