Marlborough 91-7 Cricklade
On a surprisingly sunny mid October afternoon, Marlborough recorded their best win of the season and their best performance too. The work that lead coach Chris Budgen and assistant Kevin Clancy is really starting to show. A lot of players put in big performances against a Cricklade side who had also been promoted last season.
Scrum half Liam MacDonald had a great game that puts pressure on regular no 9 Will Grant. Grant had moved to the wing to rest a shoulder injury. Both players ended the game with hat tricks.
The first score of the game came after a quick penalty by MacDonald that led to the first of many powerful runs by centre Nick Clarke. He bounced off one defender and handed off two others to run in under the posts. Full back Nathan Morgan kicked the first of 8 conversions.
Morgan was next to score after taking a pass one handed, following some aggressive rucking by centres Clarke and Jonny Mantle.
The half continued with some powerful rucking and decisive breaks being made by the centre partnership and outside half Russ Westcott. The tries came and Grant, MacDonald, Laurence Baker 2, Joe Mitchell, Mantle all got on the score sheet for a 50-0 half time score.
MacDonald added the first 2 tries of the second half with some good sniping runs, one to run in from half way and one after a blindside move. Grant then scored to show his pace on the wing.
Cricklade who continued to battle all game and never gave up then scored with an interception try and conversion. They were always trying to play, but some inspired tackling by flanker Tom Fleming was stopping their attacks.
Replacement Patrick Campbell, soon continued the home sides scoring with another powerful run. Grant, Mantle and Westcott completed the scoring for a 91-7 win.
The whole back line had scored tries. Coach Budgen praised his sides performance at the end and in particular their work at the breakdowns.