Match Report for Lytchett Minster 1 Vs Blandford on 06 Sep 2003
Lytchett Start On A High
Lytchett opened their league account with 2 points away to Kingsclere at the weekend.
With the advent of their new £600,000 club house, Lytchett have attracted some new players and were able to field their strongest possible side for the league opener.
In blisteringly hot conditions, Lytchett dominated the game. From the very start Lytchett drove forward through their strong pack. Space was created out wide through three phases of forward play, which eventually saw winger Colin Scott dive into the corner. The conversion was missed. Undeterred, Lytchett continued to pile on the pressure and were awarded a penalty in front of the posts. This was converted by new stand-off Tom Bold. Lytchetts back row of the Bryant brothers and Mat Hope were making their mark on the match with powerful surging runs and stone wall defence. One typically powerful run saw all three of the back row players combine with the scrum half Sean Young to exploit a large blind side from an attacking scrum. The move ended with Chris Bryant powering into the corner for the score. Again the conversion from out wide was missed. This gave Lytchett a 0 - 13 led.
However, Lytchett did not have it all their own way in the first half. Two mistakes from the travelling side, both punished with converted tries, allowed Kingsclere back into the game and the half time score was 14 - 13.
Lytchett were playing up the slight slope in the second half, but this did not effect their attacking style of play. The Lytchett forwards started to turn the screw and the Kingsclere legs started to get very heavy in the extreme heat. As the pressure started to tell, gaps appeared in the Kingsclere defence, which allowed hooker Andy Mac to steal in for two tries in as many minutes. One of these was converted and Lytchett were back in the led 14 - 25. Open side flanker Chris Bryant scored another try with 20 minutes to go, to seal the victory. But the best was yet to come from Lytchett. Again the relentless Lytchett pack rumbled up the field and blind side flanker Mat Hope eventually broke free and beat three defenders to score the final try. Lytchett finished with a comfortable led, winning 14 - 35.
If this calibre of team can be fielded every week, Lytchett really do have the potential to win Hampshire League Division Two. Time well tell.
