Honours even over two legs
With County matches on the go and a number of players missing for assorted reasons, this was a great opportunity for both sides to experiment.
It was a beautiful spring day by the Thames as battle commenced!
Match 1; Marlow 12 - 5 Redingensians
Whilst 'Ensians had the balance of possession and territory over the opening exchanges they failed to capitalise and didn't really threaten the oppositions try line. Langstone made ground several times with ball in hand and the front three of Paterson, Jones and McCrory held their own in the set play.
Marlow scored first when they broke down the left and through several poor 'Ensians tackles to round and score under the posts leaving an easy conversion.
MacDevitt level the scores when he sprinted the length of the pitch following spirited defence three metres out from the 'Ensins try line. Evading three cover tackles he resisted the temptation to kick ahead, lit the afterburners and sprinted through to score. The try remained unconverted.
Match 2; Marlow 5 - 5 Redingensians
Both sides rung the changes and injuries abounded as Doughty, Spiegler and Jones all received minor shoulder injuries. Hunt opened the scoring when a pre-planned move bore fruit and a clever little dummy to his left (an action with the ball; not the winger!) gave him space to burst over and score. This remained unconverted.
With one of only 3 qualified front rowers off the pitch Redingensians gave Dalton his first taste (and hopefully last, Tom, don't worry!) of front row play as the scrum moved to uncontested.
Marlow responded well to level the score just before the end of the match.
Match 3; Marlow 10 - 0 Redingensians
Again changes were made, the injured patched up and we carried on. Cruickshank made several gain line breaking runs, Longerhan backed himself and broke through but once again the visitors failed to find the incisive final play. Holt made his presence felt and several times forced turnover ball by ripping the ball out in the tackle. Eves kept encouraging his back line and Hughes impressed on the wing. Leicester made was unlucky to score when his ridiculous dummy was bought by most of the Marlow squad and he scampered through only to he hauled down just short of the try line.
Marlow scored the only two tries of the match; both unconverted.
Many thanks to Marlow for their hospitality. Well done to Eves who just pipped George to the man of the match award.
Bernie Leicester