Fruitful return for Orchard as Wibsey sneak victory

7:08pm Sunday 12th October 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

Wibsey 25, Stanley Rodillians 24

Wibsey got back to winning ways yesterday with a home victory over Stanley Rodillians in Yorkshire Five B.

The Villagers got off to a great start with some bright play and resolute defence.

At an attacking five-metre scrum, the home pack drove the Rods eight back over their line. The visitors' scrum half tried to kick the ball out of the back of the scrum, the referee awarding a penalty try.

James Sawyer converted to make it 7-0 and the home side got straight back into the Rods 22, where they were awarded a penalty which Sawyer again slotted.

Rods hit back with a well-worked try set up by their dangerous fly half but Wibsey kept up the pressure as they dominated the line-outs with James Birkbeck and Martin Orchard, making his return to Wibsey after nine years living on the Isle of Wight (not Parkhurst!).

Orchard scored direct from a Rods line-out as he collected a loose ball to sprint 50 metres to score, Sawyer's conversion making the half-time score 17-5.

Rods hit back early in the second half after they turned over a defensive five-metre scrum to score shortly after being held up over the line.

Wibsey had a Sawyer penalty attempt go wide of the posts, but hesitation while trying to collect the resultant 22 drop kick saw the Rods centre collect a fumble on the hoof and streak 60 metres to score a give-away try and put the visitors 19-17 in front.

Wibsey's woes were further increased as Richard Hall spent ten minutes in the sin bin.

This made the green and reds go back to basics with great effect as they played the lines, gained territory and forced Rods to give away penalties.

Sawyer slotted over one penalty and missed one as the home side worked their way back in front.

As Wibsey got themselves back to 15 v 15, they had an attacking line-out which they used to the full as prop Bob Wood was driven over near the corner to make it 25-19.

However, the home side managed to shoot themselves in foot again after Steve Hadcroft fielded a dangerous kick, Wibsey recycled successfully before a crazy attempt at a kick through was totally scuffed for Rods to hack through to score.

Rods missed a very kickable conversion attempt, and a further easy penalty for Wibsey to hang on to a 25–24 win.

This game could have been won by either side, but there should have only been one side in it. However, Rods' never-say-die attitude and Wibsey's at times charitably inept play led to a close finish.

Wibsey will have to improve further for next Saturday's visit to Wath on Dearne in the Junior Vase third round.