Sat 6 Apr 2002
Uttoxeter finished the league season in style on Saturday as players marked the club’s president’s day by running in eight trie.
The town side, who have already won the Staffordshire One title, took until half-time of their home game to get into their stride.
But with John Parton, Stuart Griffin and Jason Cabrera all on the bench, they were able to kick start their efforts following the break and cruise away with the proceedings.
The town side took an early grip when skipper Tony Ball landed two penalty goals.
Linley fought back to within a point and then a missed tackle enabled powerful winger Mark Gee to go racing in at the right corner flag but Peacock’s conversion went wide,
This gave Uttoxeter the jolt they needed and Matt Williams, stepped on the gas to scorch away on a 45m dash up the right, before cutting inside to touch down for an electrifying try under the sticks, which Ball converted to give Uttoxeter a 13-5 advantage at the break.
Taking over from Gareth Davies in the front row, Cabrera quickly got the measure of his opponent and the visitors’ scrummage began to creak.
When the now dominant Uttoxeter eight took play into the corner with a powerful drive, it produced the town’s second try.
Possession was released to the backs and outside half Vince Whelan went darting over for a scintillating score left of the posts, to which Ball added the conversion.
Griffin replaced Mitch Collett at No8 and picked up from the base of a driving scrum, the ball was moved sweetly right and James Williams went flashing in at the corner for the third try.
The floodgates were about to open, as the Oldfields side immediately swept back upfield from Linley’s restart, with Shaun Gorman leading the charge.
Cabrera made one of his trademark dashes up the middle to set up a ruck which his fowards cleaned out.
They sent Matt Williams weaving through the cover at speed, then spinning the ball to Whelan the fly half racing home for his second try.
Linley were wilting and from another textbook catch at a lineout by Dave Hodgkinson, the forwards once more trundled the Linley eight backwards over their own line.
The unstoppable Griffin forced the ball down for the five pointer and Ball added the extra two with a fine kick.
Tries were now coming thick and fast and a tantalising run by Whelan saw the fly half jink and side step his way through half the Linley team.
Then he burst clear, drew the full back and sent Matt Williams coasting in for his second try.
Following tremendous work by Mike Ball to regain the ball after possession had been turned over in midfield, the town built up momentum again.
This time Dave Atherton put his foot on the accelerator to go streaking in under the sticks for a cracking try which Ball converted.
The closing minutes saw Griffin pick up from a scrummage and break right before sending James Williams away down the touchline on a 35m dash.
The flyer swooped in under the posts yet again to bag his brace of tries. Ball sliced the conversion wide but town had amassed its 54 points.
This week Uttoxeter will be arranging a friendly before going on tour to Geneva next week and then returning for the cup final at Stoke.
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