So near but… Blues lose their grip on a half-time lead
The Blues got off to a flying start against Bournemouth on 19th October with a try in the first minute by Wing Jacob Checksfield! The home supporters were wowed! The currently in-form Bournemouth team were expected to dominate.
The visitors didn’t take very long to reply, with Scrum Half Oli Burn scoring a try at 4 minutes, comfortably converted by Fly Half Grant Hancox.
The game continued with relentless “to and fro”, and Bournemouth demonstrating every now and then just how dangerous they could be, until Jacob Checksfield blasted over the line for a second time in the 25th minute. The Blues had the edge, however surprisingly, at the half-time break and a three point lead at 10:7.
Nothing much happened in the first 20 minutes of the second half, as the teams tried to scope each other out. The scrum was repeatedly a mess, with Bournemouth eventually penalised with a man sent to the sin bin. It was then that Bournemouth showed their class, with at one stage two men down, scoring an impressive, converted try.
With some tactical cleverness, Captain Dan Thorne took three points for a penalty with 10 minutes to go, bringing the score to 13:14. The euphoria didn’t last long, as Bournemouth spotted their opportunity, didn’t look round and Full Back Ryan Morrell flew over the try line for a third converted try to settle the final score at Blues 13, Bournemouth 21.
Both teams looked a bit desperate and disorderly at times, with far too much “roly, poly” play – falling and sliding over each other in drama-queen tumbles. The Blues needed to tighten up their passing. That said, the Blues are frustratingly close to being very good. Several players should be proud of their contribution and, certainly, Fergus Walker, Jacob Checksfield and Jamies Futcher had a good game.
The Blues travel away to Guildford on Saturday, 26th October – kick-off at 3pm – and are home again to Winchester on 9th November. Come on you Blues!
Photos by kind permission of Red Water Images
