Westbury start new year with convincing win

Sat. 4th Jan. Dorset and Wilts Div. 2 North Combe Down 2nds 12 Westbury 61

Westbury opened up the New Year with a convincing win against league strugglers Combe Down 2nds. 

It was to be a twelve-try feast, where even the referee became confused as to the number scored. 

The first try came from a Combe Down miss-kick which was gathered by left wing, Jamie Dixon, who in concert with centre, Mat Inseal, worked the ball to the Westbury Captain, Aaron Vaughan, who with plenty of work to do still, outpaced the defence to score out wide, but he was unable to convert the try.

3 minutes later Vaughan scored once more when a Combe Down player knocked the ball on, Mathew Inseal gathered the loose ball and set up a ruck from which Vaughan received the ball on half way and with supporting players acting as dummy runners he once more scored in the corner.  The conversion was again missed. 

The next try was scored in short order by flanker Ferran Adams, who after being passed the ball just inside the Combe Down 22, sold the most outrageous dummy to crash over the try line.  The try was not converted.   Westbury immediately added a score from the right wing Alex Down, who receiving the ball straight from the restart, sprinted down the wing, where the opposition failed to tackle him and allowed him to score in the corner.  Once more the conversion was missed. 

Combe Down gathered themselves together and with their forwards carrying the ball well and with good hands scored their first try, which was not converted.

The final try of the half was scored by centre, Mat Inseal, after being put in the clear by Alex Down who was again attacking down the wing.  At last Vaughan got his range to kick the conversion.  27 – 5 to Westbury at half time.

With this lead coach, ‘Foggy’ Vaughan, decided to ring the changes and was able to bring on most of the bench and was rewarded when replacement, Pete Cryer, scored his first try.

The tries then followed in quick succession with Jamie Dixon, Pete Cryer (once more), Jack Bates, Mat Inseal and Ash Hart all scoring.  The conversion count remained low though with Aaron Vaughan taken off with an ankle injury. Tom Redman and James Cately-Day being successful with one each. 

Within this timescale Combe Down fought back to score their second try which was converted.  61 – 12 to Westbury.  We then came to Westbury scoring their 12th try and Pete Cryer his hat trick. 

Unfortunately, the referee neglected to note it in his book and the score was reported as being still 61 – 12.  Even referees, who are the sole arbiter, can make a mistake so Cryer’s hat trick try and Westbury’s twelfth was chalked off. 

Next week Westbury will face a much tougher game when third placed Pewsey Vale come to Knott Field.  Pewsey will be keen to reverse the 28 – 18 defeat they suffered at home to Westbury back in September.