Westbury win despite determined opposition

Sat. 28th Sept. Dorset & Wilts Div 2 North Pewsey Vale 18 Westbury 28.

After having won their first two league matches in a reasonably dominant way, Westbury travelled to Pewsey Vale expecting a much tougher encounter.

Pewsey, who were relegated from Division One at the end of last season, are looking to reinstate themselves back in the higher league.

Westbury were the first to score within 4 minutes when, during a phase of play, a Pewsey player was penalised for not releasing the tackled player.  Captain Aaron Vaughan confidently slotted the points.  Pewsey immediately launched an attack into the visitors’ half and within 2 minutes were awarded a penalty of their own when Westbury were judged to be offside.  The Pewsey number 10 kicked the 3 points.

A few minutes later Pewsey were again penalised, this time for a high tackle.  Vaughan once more executed the perfect kick for the 3 points.  Vaughan was involved once more when the ball was stolen from a Pewsey player, passed out to Vaughan for him to touch down and convert his own try.  Pewsey clawed their way back when from a lineout inside Westbury’s 22 metre area, they broke through the visitors’ defence to score a converted try.  With  the first half now drawing to a close and both sides swopping penalties to make the score at half time 16 -13 to the visitors and everything still to play for. 

The second half started at a frantic pace with neither side able to gain the advantage, until after 25 minutes Pewsey Vale were awarded a lineout in their own half.  Westbury stole the ball and replacement flanker, Hayden Adams, crashed over the try line to score his first ever try for Westbury.  Aaron Vaughan added the extra 2 points. 

On the half hour Westbury full back Sam McQueen, who was a real thorn in the Pewsey’s side throughout the match, set off on an incredible run, jinking and dodging Pewsey defenders to release winger Jamie Dixon who was to score in the corner.  The conversion was missed. 

Pewsey were to have the last word though, when with minutes to go they scored an unconverted try.  The full time whistle ended the game with Westbury winning 28 – 18.  Maybe they would be a little disappointed not to get a try bonus point but never the less, a very good victory over a determined opposition.  

Westbury’s man of the match, chosen by the travelling supporters, was Sam McQueen.