Sat 1 Feb 2020
Uttoxeter picked up their 10th consecutive win as they surpassed Telford, the only side to beat them in the league so far this season.
Uttoxeter’s start was less than solid when Telford kicked from just outside their own 22, assisted by the wind it bobbled towards Uttoxeter’s try line. Fullback Sam Bassett made a hash of scooping the loose ball up and fumbled to give Telford a scrum on Uttoxeter’s 5 meter line in front of the posts.
Uttoxeter crouched down for the first scrum and set the tone as they put their larger opposition under pressure as they edged forward. Telford attempted to power through but Uttoxeter held firm and were eventually able to regain possession and clear the danger.
Uttoxeter settled into the game a bit more and began to put phases together, centre Henry Knox then made a break on the outside sprinting up the right wing but Uttoxeter were unable to capitalize on the initial foray. Minutes later Knox broke through again and this time he moved the ball out to Ben Marshall who in turn popped it back inside to Bassett who darted infield to touch down under the posts for a try converted by Marshall.
Telford were almost gifted a try when Uttoxeter attempted to move the ball from deep, a miss communication saw the ball bounce of Tom Sherratt’s chest straight into the oppositions arms however excellent scrambling cover ensured Uttoxeter’s try line remained unbreached.
Uttoxeter extended their lead through young winger Zac Wright, Tom Hayes held the ball out the lineout and Gallimore moved the ball out to the backs where Sherratt took contact in the midfield, a further phase through the pack saw Cal Shaw take contact before Gallimore moved the ball out wide. A looping pass from Marshall sent the ball out wide where it made it’s way to Wright. The winger sprinted open before stepping multiple defenders to slip through a gap and accelerate out wide to touch down for a try converted by Marshall. Uttoxeter 14 – 0 Telford.
Uttoxeter’s structure in attack continued to improve as they put together a number a phases, prop Sam Woolley then crashed into the 22 to give Uttoxeter a good platform. The pressure began to build and Telford conceded a penalty that Marshall kicked into the corner. Uttoxeter set up the driving maul and edged closer to the line infield. Jack Conlon carried the ball on coming close and after a number of tight phases captain Jake Cabrera picked and went down the blind side crashing over the line to make the score 19 – 0.
Telford then enjoyed their most promising period of attack in the match so far as they retained possession in Uttoxeter’s 22. They created an over lap out wide and looked odds on to score however poor execution enable Uttoxeter to cover and keep the attackers out. Uttoxeter stood firm to a number of powerful runs from Telfords pack however the visitors could not cross the line.
Telford looked to use the strong wind as they kicked from deep on a number of occasions however the back three of Wright, Bassett and Gill looked dangerous on the counter and this eventually led to a try. Bassett fielded the ball in the middle of the park, the fullback broke through a gap in the midfield before offloading to Aaron Lakin, Flanker Lakin sprinted on before firing a bounce pass out to the left. Winger Wright picked up the loose ball before stepping a man and sprinting in to touch down for his second as the youngster continues to impress for the first XV.
Half Time 24 – 0.
After an uncompromising first half Uttoxeter looked set to continue in the same fashion with the aim of extending their lead and it wasn’t long before they were back on the score board. Flanker Joe Gorman saw telford were out of position and fired a cross field kick, lock Tom Hayes used his height advantage winning the ball in the air before popping back inside to winger James Gill who sprinted in clean through before running back infield to touch down close to the posts for a try converted by Marshall
Uttoxeter continued to rack up the points, scoring their 6th try of the afternoon. Uttoxeter’s pack drove on at the scrum enabling Conlon to pick and go. The number 8 was brought down but a quick phases saw Ant Davies take contact in the midfield. Gallimore moved the ball out wide and Marshall linked with Sherratt before putting Knox into space, the powerful centre broke through a tackle before sprinting for the line a cover tackle caught Knox but he had the momentum to carry on and dive over the line to touch down with Marshall again adding the extra.
With the game comfortable in Uttoxeter’s control the hosts tempo faltered a bit and Telford began to creep back in. They took a number of quick tap penalties and Uttoxeter were caught cold as they failed to organise allowing Telford to eventually crash over the line.
Uttoxeter then emptied their bench as Tim Carr made his first appearance for a number of months he was joined by Tom Conlon and Adam Tortoishell the later making his first 1st XV appearance since the start of the year. They replaced Jack Conlon, Tom Hayes and Sam Woolley.
Tim Carr soon found himself back on the side-line as he saw yellow for not releasing the tackled player following a number of offences for Uttoxeter.
Uttoxeter began to slip into some old bad habits as the penalty count began to creep, and Telford soon made the most of it as their spirited resurgence re-warded them with a second try of the afternoon through their forwards to make the score 38 – 10.
Uttoxeter scored their final try of the afternoon through Fly Half Marshall. Bassett fielded a kick and ran open drawing a man before sending the ball out to the supporting Marshall. The Fly half sprinted open before faking infield and then taking his man on the outside to touch down wide out right. A fine touch line conversion saw Marshall add the extras for his own try scoring Uttoxeter’s final points of the afternoon.
It was Telford who had the final say however, their pack took contact in the middle of the park and the played a number of phases until they sucked Uttoxter in. Telford then switched play blind and caught Uttoxeter with an overlap where on this occasion they were able to execute and touch down out wide
Final Score Uttoxeter 45 – 15 Telford
Centre Henry Knox was selected as they John Germans Estate Agents’ Man of the Match.
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