Match Report for Lytchett Minster 1 Vs Paxton Pumas on 21 Oct 2006
Lytchett Minster Still Unbeaten and Top
Lytchett Minster travelled to the Paxton Pumas in a Hampshire III league clash at the weekend, with Lytchett knowing that only a win would do, in their race for promotion this season and Lytchett Minsters victorious run goes on with a comfortable, if not close, 14 – 6 win. With Verwood losing 34 – 0 to Overton, this victory leaves Lytchett Minster equal first place with Overton, with both teams winning their opening 3 league matches. Verwood have now lost 2 of their 4 league matches.
In blustery conditions Lytchett were slow to start the game and found themselves 6 points down from 2 close range penalties from the Pumas. However, Lytchett were soon back in the match when stand-off Harry Boulter tied the match with 2 penalties of his own. The half time score was 6 – 6.
Lytchett played with the wind in the second half and controlled the game with Harry Boulter playing Lytchett into the corners, pinning the home team back. Following a well executed move from the Lytchett backs, Scott Ricketts broke free and was well tackled by the Pumas fullback. But the referee adjudged that the Pumas had handled the ball on the floor from the resulting ruck. This gave Boulter the chance to take the lead, which he duly did, with a well taken penalty. This increased the Lytchett lead to 9 – 6.
Following the restart, the ball was secured by captain Rob Ansell, who rampaged up the field closely supported by Shaun Greenpost and Gwillym Poole. These three combined to set up an excellent field position for the Lytchett backs, who made some space for centre Nick Welford to score out wide. Harry Boulter narrowly missed the conversion, but the score had been increased to 14 – 6.
Lytchett continued to attack, but the Pumas showed resolve to keep them out, the final score being 14 – 6. Although the match had been controlled by Lytchett, the score line showed a much tighter game. If Lytchett Minster are to press for promotion this season they must be able to put teams like the Pumas away, even on their travels.
Crunch matches lie ahead in December when Lytchett play both Overton and Verwood, these matches will give us a better idea of who exactly will be pretenders to the league title this season.
