MATCH REPORT: GEORGE TRY NOT ENOUGH FOR CENTAURS

A SPIRITED second-half showing from Rams Centaurs was not enough to prevent them falling to a 34-7 reverse at a strong Wallingford outfit, on a day when Ant Marris helped get the game on at his boyhood club by helping fork water off the pitch four hours before kick-off.

The two sides went into the contest at opposite ends of the Counties One Tribute Southern North table, Wallingford in fourth and the Cents in 10th, and it was the home side who made a fast start when full-back James Stacey touched down on the right following some slick handling which would be a feature of the opening 40 minutes.

He was unable to add the extras, but the hosts extended their advantage shortly after, scrum-half Jack Payne knocking a 40-metre kick forward for Chris Greig-Jenkins to dive on, the try awarded despite the suspicion of a knock-on.

Wallingford continued to have the better of the contest and moved further in front when impressive second row James Porter barged his way over from close range, Stacey this time on target for 17-0.

The try-scorer was then held up over the line as he looked to double his tally, but Wallingford wrapped up the bonus-point before the break as Greig-Jenkins notched his second, the former Reading man crossing on the left to help his side to a hefty half-time advantage.

Wallingford showed no mercy in the early part of the second period, pressing their opponents inside their own 22 and winning three scrum penalties on the Cents’ five-metre line before Tom Cerullo touched down, the centre perhaps fortunate not to have been picked up spilling the ball before the score was awarded.

The south Oxfordshire men added a sixth try almost immediately, Cents’ pressure repelled before a hopeful clearance kick was gobbled up by Sam Botting, the outside centre shrugging off a trio of tackles before crossing on the right for a converted score.

Things could have gone south for the away side, but they showed terrific fortitude and hit back almost immediately, the George brothers at the heart of proceedings as Cameron spun a long ball down the line for Tom to get over on the left.

Cameron lasered a fine kick between the uprights, but that was as good as it got for the Cents who, despite having a couple of further opportunities, will now hope to take a big step towards survival in a local derby at Bracknell 2nd XV on Saturday.