Dubs 1st XV 15 vs. Merton 51 (02/02/2008 - Surrey Bowl Quarter Final)
The 1st XV were drawn at home to Merton in this Surrey Bowl quarter final game. Having won promotion to Surrey 3 last season, Merton are sitting comfortably in mid-table at present and were expected to provide strong opposition.
With a few of the first XV doubling up for the earlier Grangetown tour game (the front row in particular leading the way with 2 hours of rugby each on the day) the signs were somewhat ominous but we took to the field in good spirits and with a full team.
As expected, Merton started strongly and scored early on against a slightly naïve Dubs defence, and were able to build and keep a decent lead throughout. We stayed in the game with some strong ball carrying off quickly recycled ruck ball, leading to Steve scoring on his debut at outside centre. His celebrations were then cut short as he put an attempted drop goal conversion wide from right in front of the sticks! Another try followed shortly through the Dubs backs, again unconverted.
Having recovered our composure somewhat, we then conceded an easy try when an uncontrolled scrum ball popped out over our line for the Merton scrum half to flop on. Shortly thereafter an overthrow at a shortened lineout dropped into grateful Merton hands for another 5 yard score.
Overall, we controlled good spells of the game and battered the Merton line on many occasions where better execution could have seen us score a few more than we eventually did. Good driving play late on by Coops and a quick ruck did see Ash crash over from short range to restore some pride.
3 tries is a decent haul against higher league opposition. Merton did not concede them because they were relaxed and ahead, but because we put them under sustained pressure and broke through their solid defence to earn every score. Each try was a cracker and we can keep those phases in our mind ahead of this weekend’s game against current Surrey 4 league leaders Old Oundelians. Match photos have been posted in the Picture Gallery.
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