Impressive double for New Milton Rugby Club
Hampshire Premier: Alresford RFC 21-35 New Milton RFC
NEW MILTON RFC did a Hants Premier League double over an Alresford side who have recorded some close losses against this season’s top teams.
In the first half Milton played with a cold wind and light rain behind them and produced exciting and skilful rugby to score four tries. In the second half Milton had to work hard at their defensive play to finally outscore Alresford by five tries to three.
Milton started very well and were quickly into action, a good backs move on halfway producing a thrilling try by Charlie Jewiss. This was quickly followed by a backs move which gave the ball to Oli BC who dummied and dodged his way through from the halfway line before touching down.
Milton’s forwards had to work hard at the set pieces against the much larger and powerful Alresford forwards, but they dug deep and consistently got the ball out to the backs. Pressure led to Chris Conacher dummying his tackler before crossing the whitewash for the third Milton try.
Milton’s final try of the first half was created by another fine backs move on halfway and scored by the quick-footed Jewiss, who left his tacklers behind and then withstood a side tackle before touching down in the corner. All four tries were well converted by Adam Lavis for a 0-28 Milton half-time advantage.
In the second half Alresford were quickly into action and their forwards pushed over for a converted try. A second converted score quickly followed when their centre dodged tackle attempts and ran in to touch down.
Milton realised the threats and they upped their pressure at the tackle and were quickly able to retake charge, gaining good turn overs at the rucks and creating pressure.
From one ruck turn over the ball was taken along the touch line passing between players with Sam Bew, who gained the turnover, running in to touch down.
In the final minutes Alresford gained a five-metre scrum which they pushed over for a converted try. However, it was too little too late to prevent a 12-35 New Milton victory.
New Milton: G. Shortland, L. Booker, R. Frampton, J. Halligan, E. Hynd, L. Thomas, A. George, S. Bew, A. Lavis, C. Conacher, J. Lines, O.BC, A. Wignal, C. Jewiss, A. Gunn, B. Steers, T. Hynd, T. Holden.
