Sat. 9th March. Dorset & Wilts Div 2 North Trowbridge 3rds 0 Westbury 29
Westbury travelled to Doric Park in what turned out to be a typical “derby” match against the 3rd XV.
Westbury managed to shut out the home side by 4 tries to nil, earning them a bonus point to keep them in second place in the table, with Marlborough 2nds hot on their heels, just one point behind.
It took only 3 minutes for Westbury Captain Aaron Vaughan to open the scoring with a successful penalty kick. This was followed 20 minutes later when from a quick penalty, centre Dan Heatley set off on a superb solo run to score the opening try, which was converted by Vaughan. 15 minutes later, number 8 Ryan Knight, picked up the ball from the back of a scrum and ran through the defence to score. Again Vaughan kicked the conversion. 17 – 0 at half time to the visitors.
The second half kicked off with Westbury playing into a strong wind which made kicking for territory a difficult proposition, so it was decided to keep the ball in hand and to run at Trowbridge. This worked well and after about 20 minutes their patience was rewarded when inside centre Lee McClerg scored the third try. This time the conversion was missed.
Westbury’s fourth and bonus point try was scored by replacement centre Sam McQueen after the ball was passed to him following a tap penalty, from which he mesmerised the opposition with a dazzling run to the try line. This time Vaughan was back on target for the conversion.
29 – 0 to Westbury at the final whistle. Next week there is a break in the League Fixtures as it is the final Saturday of the 6 Nations. All these games will be shown at the club. The following week 23rd March, league leaders Frome 2nds, who have not lost a league match this season, will visit Knott Field.
With Frome keen to keep their unbeaten record and Westbury looking to hold on to 2nd place it should make for a tasty fixture. This will be Westbury’s last home game for this campaign, with two away matches to follow, including Marlborough 2nds, making for a difficult run up to the end of the season.
