EDF NATIONAL TROPHY ROUND 2
Drawn against a South West 1 team Barnstaple Civil Service knew it would be a stern test of their resolve and with the weather dry but being driven by a strong cold wind the scene was set.
Civil Service started strongly showing their intentions by a period camped inside the 22 of Barnstaple for the first 20 minutes. Chris Mckay was causing concerns as he twisted and turned avoiding tackles and the forwards pounding away causing all sorts of problems. First try was from Richard Clements after a miss kick bounced favourably for a try by the post converted by Brendon Robinson 7-0 after 11 minutes followed after 20 minutes by Pat Muir converted by Brendon Robinson after 23 minutes 14-0. Barnstaple had defended really strongly but did not seem able to contain the pressure up to this point; however they are not a South West 1 side for nothing and after 25 minutes managed to compose themselves and put some pressure onto Civil Service. Barnstaple carried their attack inside the 22 gained a penalty and line out and from a rolling maul powered across the try line and a good conversion after 14-7 after 26 minutes. Civil Service responded with some well controlled play to gain territory and were again camped by the try line with Barnstaple defending well and managing to hold up at least three attempted tries. Finally in a push to far Civil Service were adjudged to have infringed bringing the relief of a penalty and an extra 10 metres for chat, Barnstaple cleared their line. From the line out Barnstaple passed back to their full back coming in at pace and with great footwork cut through Civil service to run clear to the posts to score 14-14 after 35 minutes. Undaunted but now aware how dangerous Barnstaple could be with the ball in hand Civil Service returned to the Barnstaple 22 keeping the ball as they edged towards the line sapping energy from Barnstaple who were forced to infringe giving Civil Service a penalty converted by Brendon Robinson to finish the half at 17-14.
Barnstaple started second half with the strong wind behind them increasing in strength but Civil Service seemed to be able to gain ground but having spent 10 minutes knocking at the door with Barnstaple putting up a wall of good defence Barnstaple finally got a massive kick away but the wind carried the out over the dead ball line so came all the way back. Returning to play Dan Somerville who had been asking questions all afternoon burst from the back of the scrum and was unstoppable as he took defenders with him to score converted by Brendon Robinson 24-14. Barnstaple stabilised and had were moving out of defence when with quick thinking they again showed their skills in the chase with the wind blowing, the ball bobbled past the Civil Service defender, was scooped up for an unopposed score under the posts on 54 minutes 24-21. The pressure was on as Barnstaple were right back in the game and with renewed confidence another long kick behind the defence and chase to the corner Barnstaple managed to get a finger to the ball for the try on 60 minutes and for the first time took the lead 24-26. Civil Service now feeling the pressure pushed on as they had all game and were adjudged to have infringed and 7 Pat Muir received a yellow card. Civil Service now with 14 men attacked with renewed vigour with Chris Mckay again shaking off tacklers and forwards Wallace and Salmon enforcing their will they progressed towards the try line. From a set scrum Nick Cervetto picked up and stormed to the try line avoiding two defenders to score on 75 minutes converted by Brendon Robinson 31-26. Barnstaple kicked off knowing they were in the dying minutes of the game, Civil Service stole the ball from the lineout and with a great kick out of defence against the wind cleared the Civil Service half that was the first time a few of the Barnstaple heads dropped and following the lineout the final whistle blew. A good performance ahead of the next league game against Ruislip followed by Round 3 of the National Trophy against Southend a National 2 team should be an interesting few weeks!
PT