Amber and Blues too strong for Bradford

Warminster travelled across to local rivals Bradford on Avon looking to secure another win but very aware of the banana skin this fixture could provide. Bradford who are sitting at the bottom of the league always provide the Amber and blues with a stiff challenge and Saturday was no different in what became a very physical encounter.

First half scores from Jack McIntyre (2) and Jamie Verden helped the visitors build a 7-19 leading into the break. The second half opened up more for the visitors who added 4 more scores another couple of McIntyre and scores from Tom Evans and Dean Priestman helped seal the bonus point win.

1ST HALF

The game started off with both teams taking the direct route and testing out each others defence. With some hefty collisions from both sides, there was a lot of scrums in the opening moments of the game. Warminster asserted dominance in the scrums, giving the hosts issues from the first scrum. It wasn’t too long until the visitors were able to open their account with a score from McIntyre who took a direct route through defenders to score under the posts. Warminster soon added another via top try scorer Jamie Verden, who picked the ball up near half way using his explosive speed and side step he was able to navigate his way through the defence to score under the posts untouched. McIntyre added his second with a walk in from 20 metres out after returning fly half Gav Pratt dummied the first defender before hitting McIntyre on a switch to jog in unopposed. The hosts got themselves on the score sheet after a well timed intercept from their outside centre saw him rush in from well over half way.

2ND HALF

After a few reminders at half time, Warminster regained dominance in the game. The ball started to move about and the hosts defence noticeably began to tire. Pratt took advantage of this by isolating defenders and putting others in space, this created two further scores. Firstly by putting Jack McIntyre into a gap to break the line and McIntyre used his strength to crash over. The next score was similar with Pratt drawing the defender before feeding the ball to Jason Sprangle who then passed to McIntyre who offloaded to Tom Evans who was cutting back in field through a gap and scoring under the posts. Next score came from skipper Priestman who after a dominant scrum picked the ball from the base and beat four defenders from 20 metres out to score in the corner. The hosts managed to get over the line after putting some decent passages of play together. But it was the visitors and McIntyre that had the last day when his forth try sealed the victory. Jason Sprangle boot was in fine form notching 5 out of 7 conversions from the tee.

The 1st XV are looking to finish the season strong now where in the next few weeks we face recent league champions Corsham and third place Melksham the week after. However the Amber and blues find themselves in very good form unbeaten in six league fixtures with five of those games being bonus point wins.

Club captain Jimmy Rees commented on the victory ‘we are beginning to piece together some really good stuff on and off the pitch! The lads are enjoying playing and that is definitely been shown on the pitch. It’s been a long season for us with ups and downs so we are hoping to finish off this season strong! It was good to see a good showing of support for us to which the boys really appreciate!’

‘Both 1sts and 2nds have massive games coming up and preparation for our double home header on the 4th March has begun when we face league champions Corsham and 2nds host Bath Saracens who lie a place above us and we could leap jump them with a victory’

But before then, all focus goes towards the 2nd XV this coming Saturday when Henry and the boys will host Trowbridge 3s. The way the league fixtures have been organised this will be the second meeting in 3 weeks. With the Last outing being a convincing defeat for the ‘pirates’ who came up against a very strong Trowbridge side. This weekend however they will be looking to get back to their recent good form and winning ways.