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1st XV Match Report: Medicals Beat Bart's To Book UH Final Spot.
Tries: Sharples, Thompson, Russell, Saffin, Logan (2), Ilo (2)
Conversions: Neville (6)
Pens:
Drop Goals: Logan
Having secured their BUSA Premiership status for next season the Medicals' attentions turned to the UH Cup and a potentially tricky away semi-final tie against St. Bart's & The Royal London at Chislehurst. With one eye on Wednesday's Varsity match, Austin Dekker selected a side containing many of the Medicals' stalwart doctors which gave his side a pleasing blend of youth and experience. For example, the ever important back-row of Greg Thomas, Francois Tudor and James Saffin had a combined age approaching 90, whereas the left and right wings were occupied by fresher James Sharples and 3rd year Kevin Ilo.
Bart's, who had already deafeated St. George's 23 - 6 in the UH Cup first round match, were not prepared to let the Medicals' have an easy time of it on an emotional day for the hosts. Prior to kick-off a one minute silence was impecably observed to mark the anniversary of the death of Nick Burgess, a BL fresher and rugby player, who tragically died on the 23rd of February 2007. The memory of their friend certainly inspired the home side as early on they put the Medicals' on the back foot and took the lead with an early penalty.
Absorbing the host's early body-blows the visiotrs were soon to hit back. First, Dan Neville had an unsuccessful penalty attempt and minutes later after playing some good off-loading rugby the Medical's were able to generate quick ball for the backs. James Sharples standing at first receiver jinked his way through the cover tackles to burst over the line. Neville had little trouble adding the extras. The visitors' were to double their try tally by the fifteen minute mark as the Medicals' pack began to dominate. With the Bart's front row being splintered the visitors were able to turn over the ball. Following solid phases scrum half Harry Thompson spotted a gap around the fringe to dive over from two metres out. Neville again made no mistake with the conversion.
The hosts were to fight their way back with a penalty which the Medicals' conceded after scrambling to save a try. Good lineout work and an expansive move released the Bart's right wing who showed good pace to beat the Medicals' cover. However, the host's break was brought down only a few metres short of the line and prefering to concede three points as opposed to seven the Medicals gave away the penalty. The scoring for the half was completed by hooker Peter Russell, who showed his keen eye for a try out wide by bustling over from five metres out. Neville failed with the conversion but at half-time the Medicals' led 19 - 6.
At half time the Medicals' were congratulated for their enterprising rugby but Kevan Bell reminded the team that flowing rugby is all well and good, as long it is free from errors and played in the correct areas of the field. The Medicals also made a change with Gaz Walker coming on for James Sharples.
Taking this on board skipper Dan Neville kicked his way deep into Bart's territory from which the Medicals employed their catch and drive. Marching their way in from fifteen metres out the visitors controlled the maul well to allow James Saffin to splinter off and dive over unchallenged. The extras were duly added by Dan Neville. Fortune was to smile on the Medicals for their next try scored by James Logan who ran on to a missplaced pass to hack through. Logan's kick struck a Bart's defender to hold it up in goal allowing the experienced centre to run on to his punt and touch down for a try which Neville converted. Logan then added to his points tally with a drop-goal. Lacking options Logan went for an audacious effort from 35 metres out and his sweetly struck effort sailed high through the uprights.
With the game all but won the hard scrummaging front row was given a breather as freshers Jonny Fisher-Black and Ed Pickles replaced Bartosiak-Jentys and Ancock. Taking their foot slightly off the gas the Medicals allowed Bart's into the game with the dangerous right wing crossing out wide and a further forwards drive taking the home side over. The host's kicker was successful with one conversion to take Bart's tally to 18 points.
After their dip the Medicals were to finish the game strongly. The Yorkshire connection of Ed Pickles and Rob Anderson enjoyed their time in the loose to help create space for the backs. The visitors were to cross the line on four more occasions, however, only three efforts were to count. First James Logan was able to complete his brace for the afternoon by scoring the Medicals' sixth try. However, Neville stayed on four conversions. Then with time running out Kevin Ilo was able to enjoy the space out wide by running round the outside on three occassions. Two of the three tries were scored and converted, however, on one occassion Ilo, possibly avoiding the prizes associated with claiming a hat-trick, droped the ball in the act of scoring. This coupled with Francois Tudor being held up over the line in the first half, meant that the Medicals could have ended up with ten tries in total.
More importantly the Medicals were able to book their UH Cup final berth and now face either Guy's or RUMS (who play their semi on Wednesday) in the final at London Welsh on Sunday 9th March. All attention can now turn to Harlington and Richmond on Wednesday for the Varsity matches against Imperial College as the crunch time which defines the Medicals season enters into full swing.
Jez
Xander Ancock
Peter Russell
Jeremy Bartosiak-Jentys
Rob Anderson
Chris Hallewell
Greg Thomas
Francois Tudor
James Saffin
Harry Thompson
Dan Neville (C)
James Sharples
James Logan
Guy Martin
Kevin Ilo
Huw Williams
Replacements:
Ed Pickles (for No.1 after 50mins)
Jonny Fisher-Black (for No.3 after 55mins)
Gareth Walker (for No.11 after 40mins)
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