Please choose a season to view the fixtures list / match reports: Season 2005 - 2006Season 2006 - 2007Season 2007 - 2008Season 2008 - 2009Season 2009 - 2010Season 2010 - 2011Season 2011 - 2012

Match report for Sat 24th Oct 2009 @ 00:00, 1st XV

Penns got on the score sheet early on after a smart drop kick from Mark Beel after only 30 seconds 0-3.

Summary

Having left the night before to ensure a prompt arrival at Pewsey, Farnham congregated in the car park to shake off the journey and for some the relief of having arrived without being an extra in ‘Deliverance’. After enquiring where the changing rooms were we were shown to a shed, to get into our gladiatorial garments. With the team in high spirits, must’ve been the country air, warm up began. From the kick off the high spirits and general joking stopped as Penns realised that the Pewsey team were well drilled and physical. In an abrasive first half Penns went into the half time ‘orangeathon’ 3-9 up, all thanks to the boot of Mark Beel. Sadly in the second half poor decision making and some weak first time tackling let Pewsey come back to claim a deserved victory.

First Half

Penns got on the score sheet early on after a smart drop kick from Mark Beel after only 30 seconds 0-3. This was to be the only way Penns could penetrate a solid Pewsey defence all game. Pewsey responded well and were rewarded almost immediately after ill discipline from the Penns pack, gave a penalty away which was smartly converted by Pewsey 3-3. The majority of the rest of the first half was largely forgetful, with Penns struggling to get into any sort of pattern or rhythm. Any efforts of continuity were thwarted by the consistent infringements of the Pewsey pack and the seeming reluctance of the official to penalise. Penns efforts however were rewarded after 20 minutes with another drop goal, quickly followed by a penalty converted by Mark Beel, 3-9. At half time the tolls of a week in Brighton were evident as Toni Flore complaining of a headache had to be substituted – I hope he used protection! This lead to a reshuffle as Gumby bear came into the front row from centre and Darren came into the centre.

Second Half

Fitness. Penns tired in the second half and Pewsey capitalised, with their tries scored from cleverly working forwards against backs and breaking tackles. The penalty count was heavily weighted against Penns as the back row were repeatedly caught scrabbling for the ball and attempting turnover, judged illegally by the official. With Pewsey constantly off their feet at the ruck and driving round the fringes the normally excellent positive defence of Penns was unable to turnover ball. Penns made some changes with Chris Norman coming on for Ollie Bareham and Mark Cochrain replacing the industrious Scott Gibbins. Penns did manage to get into a scoring position with the penalty converted again from the boot of Beel. With the game hanging in the balance with 10 minutes to go Penns missed a penalty and Pewsey scored to take the final score to 25 – 12.