Westbury RFC edge to victory in cup game

Sat 15th Apr. Papa John Community Competition Round 2 South Shield. Westbury 19 Bodmin 17.

Westbury Rugby Club had entered this new competition not knowing quite what to expect. 

In the previous round, Westbury had received a walk over when opponents Didcot conceded the game and as a result, Westbury were drawn at home to the Cornish side, Bodmin Rugby Club.

Both sides had no real idea of their opposition, having not met each other before. The game started poorly for Westbury when the kick off failed to travel the required ten metres and the visitors had an attacking scrum on the halfway. Westbury defended strongly and managed to open the scoring after ten minutes when full back Chandler Harrison received the ball deep in his own half, as he used his pace to charge up to the halfway line then kicked deep into the Bodmin 22 metre area.

The bounce of the ball was kind to outside centre, James Leat, who took advantage to score the opening try. His brother Sam converted to make it 7 – 0.

Ten minutes later Bodmin pulled the lead back to 7 – 5 when they scored their first try but failed with the conversion. They then took the lead after a Westbury loose pass was intercepted resulting in Bodmin scoring a converted try 7 – 12.

Westbury levelled the score when the third Leat brother George, playing at scrum half, charged up field and with some clever interplay with his brother Sam was able to score his first try for the club; unfortunately the conversion was missed leaving the score 12 – 12 at half time.

Westbury were the first to score in the second half as flanker Ryan Knight, received a scintillating pass from scrum half George Leat to touch down. The try was converted making the score 19 – 12. Bodmin fought back hard to score their third try but failed with the conversion which left the score 19 – 17 to the home side.

Westbury will now face Helston RFC in the next round.

Pictured: Westbury RFC’s Chandler Harrison (credit Barbara Swain Photography)