Second XV lose attritional clash against Berkhamstead
Verulamians 2nd XV 12 vs 17 Berkhamstead 2nd XV
Another weekend and two teams out at Cotlandswick for Vee’s!
The 2’s welcomed Berkhamstead RFC 2’s for a repeat(ish) of their fixture in October when Berko out muscled Vee’s for a victory. Jimmy Ryan’s team were looking for revenge and a squad of 18 warmed up ready for action. Vee’s started up the hill and immediately made their intentions clear with strong carries and disciplined ball retention. With a combative scrum and multiple line out options, the home side dominated the early exchanges and from a line out win, Vee’s pack kept their nerve and young 2nd row prospect Matty Borrell forced his way over with considerable support from prop Liam Field. Borrell rightly celebrated his first try in senior rugby having made his debut 2 weeks ago. The tricky conversion was missed and Berko started to force their way into the game with an efficient breakdown and talented back line.
On 20 mins the visitors crashed over from a tap penalty for a 5-5 score line. This was closely followed by an impressive length of the field try by their left winger who had both the step and wheels to outpace the Vee’s defence to score a cracking try. Berko had a bit of a ‘Don Fox’ moment missing the conversion from right in front of the posts.
Vee’s were struggling to get back into the game, kicking away too much possession and getting knocked back in the tackle close to the rucks and mauls. With the slope and the momentum in their favour, Berko’s 10 spotted a gap on Vee’s 22, managed to evade a despairing tackle and coasted under the sticks. Conversion made this time. Vee’s lost Field to a neck injury just before half time but Berko provided a front row replacement to keep scrums contested.
17-5 at half time but Vees had the wind and the slope and were confident of turning things round. Vee’s were able to make further changes with new to the club 2nd rows, Connor Nash and Luke Day making their home debuts. Great to see another two young prospects down at the club.
Vees were also able to bring on Tom Spratt at 12, as the first teamer returns from injury. Unfortunately the second half became a frustrating affair with Vees unable to secure the ball in the right areas to punish a resolute Berko defence. The visitors were also able to bring on a couple of big ball carriers to make the hard yards and suck in Vees defenders. With Rory Shenton, James Manley and Matt Keo never really getting a chance to take on their opposite numbers it was again left to try scoring machine, front rower Lewis Wosnitzka to be fed a tap penalty 20 yards out and charge over untouched for a try, converted by skipper Ryan.
17-12 and Vee’s with the elements and younger squad should have taken the advantage but the game turned into a scrum fest and the home side were never able to break free from the clutches of their determined opposition. The score remained 17-12 to Berko giving them another victory.
Vee’s young squad again did themselves proud with a better scrummaging and breakdown performance and encouraging stints from Nash and Borrell. Skipper Jimmy Ryan will be keen to keep to keep the fixtures coming for his young squad and get back to winning ways.
Written by Simon French
