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Verwood RUFC Match Reports 2004/5
These are last seasons reports
See the News page for brief details of matches played to date: News

Verwood 13 East Dorset 5
2nd April 2005

Verwood spoilt the party for East Dorset – defeat prevented the Southborne Club from gaining promotion to Hampshire 2.

At the outset, the strong southwesterly wind was considered to be a significant advantage to both sides. As it was, Verwood playing with the advantage in the first half, failed to capitalize on the good field positions which fly-half Deeble set up on half a dozen occasions through his measured cross field kicks. This was mainly due to the lineout for both sides failing to function and this phase of the game was a particularly scrappy affair. Then on 20 minutes, a rare incursion by the visitors into Verwood’s 22 saw Deeble clear his lines with a kick which failed to find touch. Full back Richie Hughs ran the ball back from half way with interest. East Dorset kept the ball and momentum alive with some neat inter-passing to eventually put center Stuart Holt in at the right hand corner. Verwood’s only consolation for all their territorial advantage in the first half was a penalty converted by Marc Kuhne from 30 metres out.

3-5 at half time.

East Dorset now had the considerable advantage of the wind but remarkably failed to take advantage of it and the expected kicking game failed to materialize. In part this was due to the poor quality of possession. The likes of Tom Mcguffie, Mark Ramsay and Nigel Brunning made right nuisances of themselves preventing the visitors establishing any effective platform. Even so, it looked unlikely that Verwood were going to break the deadlock going into the last quarter of the game.

Then, a penalty award in front of the posts was converted by Kuhne to snitch the lead. Soon after the restart, Verwood moved the ball swiftly wide on half way. Outside center Charlie Cockram found himself in some space and breaking three tackles gained some 30 metres to take play to East Dorset’s 22. The ball was recycled quickly and moved right. Hooker Chris Poole found a good angle between the centers to run in unopposed under the posts. Kuhne added the conversion.

Scorers:
Verwood: Chris Poole
Conversion: Marc Kuhne
Penalties: Marc Kuhne (2)
East Dorset: Stuart Holt

Verwood 10 Fordingbridge 17
26th February 2005

This was a thrilling match with both sides looking to play an expansive game. Both sides played with passion, urgency and a sheer will to win on a raw day.

Fordingbridge scored first after 15 minutes. Quick ball at the lineout on halfway saw the ball spun wide quickly. Centre Tim Britten made good ground to feed inside to Ewan Jones who went over in the left hand corner. Mark Norton added the conversion. Shortly before the break, Bridge took a quick tap penalty 40 metres out and again the ball was moved swift left resulting in Tim Britten showing good pace to score out wide.

0-12 at half time.

Despite Bridge’s half time lead this was such an open game the result could have gone either way. Soon after the restart Verwood scored a scintillating try involving great interplay between backs and forwards in a running movement which started from deep inside Verwood’s half. With Verwood’s number 8 Tom McGuffie at full gallop down the right hand touchline, he used some magical footwork to confuse the corner flagging defence and timed the final pass to perfection to put hooker Chris Poole in at the corner.

Then, against the run of play, a dropped pass in midfield on Fordingbridge’s 22 saw Tim Britten hoof the ball upfield. Three kicks ahead later, he showed great control & composure to score his second of the day.

At the close, Verwood had the final say. After a series of infringements Verwood ran the ball back at Fordingbridge on each occasion. Something had to give and pressure and territory finally resulted in Second Row Mark Ramsay driving over from 15 metres out.

Scorers:
Verwood: Chis Poole; Mark Ramsey
Fordingbridge: Ewan Jones; Tim Britten (2)
Conversion: Mark Norton

Paxton Pumas 25 Verwood 13
19th February 2005

Paxton Pumas deservedly won this match in the end although either side could have won it going into the last 10 minutes of the game.

There was little to choose between the sides in the early exchanges. Verwood played with the advantage of the strong wind knowing that it was probably equivalent to a 10 point advantage, which they needed to take full advantage of. From the outset it was clear Paxton were not going to be expansive in their game. They used runners close to ruck and maul to graft the yardage. Verwood old boy Chris Goldworthy, now Paxton’s Number 8, worked the blindside well breaking the first up tackles. He was clearly better fed from his days at Verwood and used his newly acquired weight to good effect.

Paxton’s Jezz Laker kicked a penalty after 10 minutes matched by a similar effort from Verwood’s Phil Emery after 25 minutes. Then, just before the interval Verwood were awarded a penalty 30 meters out. They elected to run. The ball was fed to Number 8 Mark Ramsey who used his burley 18 stone frame to pick up good pace bouncing over 3 would be tacklers to score.

6-8 at half time.

With the elements in Paxton’s favour and only a small lead to close, the odds were clearly with the home side. Jezz Laker pinned the visitors in their 22 very early on with a good touch find. A series of lineouts resulted in a succession of rucks 10 metres out. Goldsworthy picked up and drove over to score. Laker converted. 15 minutes later, quick ball off the lineout saw Laker deliver a well timed inside pass to center Robert Woodford who took a good angle to run in unopposed under the posts. Laker converted.

All credit to Verwood who continued to take the game to Paxton. They responded almost immediately. Following a series of rucks, the Paxton defence was at sixes and sevens in their 22. The ball was moved swiftly left and Chis Poole stepped inside to score under the posts but failed with his drop kick conversion attempt.

Into the final 10 minutes with the score 18-13. This match was now developing into a real ding dong and the result could have gone either way. As it was Paxton cleared their lines in the dying minutes with a long downfield kick. Verwood’s Phil Emery had no option other than to attempt to run the ball back from his own 22. The ball was turned over in the ensuing ruck and fed to centre Cliff Moorhouse who ran in to score under the posts. Laker converted.

Scorers:
Verwood: Mark Ramsey; Chris Poole;
Penalty: Phil Emery
Paxton Pumas: Chris Goldsworthy; Robert Woodford; Cliff Moorhouse
Conversions: Jezz Laker (2)
Penalty: Jezz Laker (2)

Verwood 46 Stoneham Park 5
29th January 2005

The scoreline does little to flatter the contribution which Stoneham made to this game in terms of physical effort. The real difference between the two sides lay in inventiveness which Verwood had a plenty.

Both sides commenced action with passion and enthusiasm. Verwood’s first score came from a scrum on half way. A quick heel saw Verwood’s number 8 Chris Tunnicliffe pick up at the base of the scrum , break the initial tackle, and then stretch his legs to run 50 metres to score. Another long distance individual effort followed soon after when scrum half Tom Prescello ran in from half way. Stoneham looked like they had a promising driving maul only to see the ball turned over allowing Prescello to make his impressive break. It was another turnover that saw Verwood’s third score of the half. Outside half Steve Deeble slung out a long miss pass to centre Charlie Cockram who went over in the left hand corner.

15-0 at half time.

Verwood seemed far more comfortable on the ball going into the second half. 10 minutes after the interval clean possession at the lineout saw the ball moved swiftly along the line for veteran winger Andy Palmer to score in the corner.

Soon after Andy Palmer was over again. This time hooker Phil Huckle won the ball against the head in a scrum on Stoneham’s 22. Good handling in the backs put Palmer away in the left hand corner.

Stoneham battled on and continued to grunt their way forward between phases. Finally, from a ruck 15 metres out, they used the blindside to put winger Paul Turner over in the corner. Verwood replied soon after the restart. Clever interpassing between winger Nick Taylor and Charlie Cockram saw Cockram round the final defender and score under the posts. Full back Craig Wingate converted.

Nick Taylor was soon in action again, creating havoc with his meandering but powerful running. In the tackle he fed Wingate who ran in from 20 metres out. At the end it looked like Stoneham might score a final consolation try. From a ruck on Verwood’s 22 a wild pass slung right was intercepted by Cockram who ran 80 metres to score. Karl Jensen converted.

Scorers:
Verwood: Charlie Cockram (3); Chris Tunicliffe; Tom Prescello; Andy Palmer (2); Craig Wingate;
Conversions: Craig Wingate (20; Karl Jensen
Stoneham: Paul Turner

Verwood 15 New Milton 45
15th January 2005

[Report delayed]

Kingsclere 13 Verwood 7
8th January 2005

Another game of frustrating disappointment for Verwood who led 7-0 at half time only to see the game drift away from them following a spirited second half performance by Kingsclere.

This was a game of stop start with a penalty count in favour of the home side of 10-4 in the first half. It appeared to be something of a lottery as to the rationale for any particular decision by the match official. Yet again, Verwood were denied the opportunity of imposing any pattern on the game although it was clearly apparent that they were the better footballing side.

Verwood scored just before the interval. From a scrum on half way, fly half Steve Deeble put in a cross field kick which was chased down by winger Chris Poole. Kingsclere’s full back Keith Swimipole gathered the ball and in the ensuing tackle by Poole thought he had cleverly passed the ball inside only to see it intercepted by Verwood centre Charlie Cockram who sprinted over to score from 30 metres out. Craig Wingate added the conversion.

7-0 at half time.

Kingsclere had hardly threatened in the first half, but something happened during the interval to see them raise the tempo of their game. A transcript of the half time team talk would have been an education. After15 minutes a scrummage 15 metres out saw the back row peel off and subsequently flanker Steve Phillips was driven over in the left hand corner. 10 minutes later, Kingsclere’s John Watson slotted a penalty from 25 metres out to take the home side into a narrow 8-7 lead. The score was locked with Verwood imprisoned in their 22 until Kingsclere scored a further try in injury time when prop forward Murphy drove over from short range.

Scorers:
Verwood: Charlie Cockram
Conversion: Craig Wingate
Kingsclere: Steve Phillips; Pat Murphy
Penalty: John Watson

Bournemouth Lions 10 Verwood 22
18th December 2004

This was a thoroughly deserved victory for Verwood. Conditions were perfect for open flowing rugby and the sizeable crowd was not to be disappointed.

Verwood scored a well worked try after 10 minutes. A quick heel at the scrum, 20 metres out, saw scrum half Tom Costello break blind to feed right winger Chris Poole who dived in at the corner. Soon after, similar field position saw Verwood win the ball against the head at the scrum. The ball was moved to the openside and fly half Deeble worked a scissors with centre Darren Kendall. A surge of pace, combined with a couple of hand-offs, saw him power over under the posts. Full back Marc Kuhne added the conversion.

Not long after the restart, Bournemouth were awarded a penalty 15 metres out. This was quickly taken by Cox who fed fly half Ian Caswell who stepped inside to score. Just before the interval, a mix up at the back of the scrum 5 metres out saw the luckless John Cox sacked. Verwood looked likely to go for a push over try at the reset scrum but the ball was moved open and Kendall went over for his second. Kuhne converted.

5-19 at half time.

Following the restart Bournemouth looked more lively and enjoyed a good 10 minute spell nearly penetrating the Verwood defence on a couple of occasions. However, there was no cohesion to the home side whose approach to the game was individualistic and somewhat headless. The game also lost any semblance of rhythm due to repeated infringements by the
visitors in the loose. This resulted in an extraordinary penalty count in favour of the visitors in the second half, although none of the spectators could name the tune being played on the referees whistle. Even so, a solitary penalty award to Verwood 30 metres out saw Kuhne add another 3 points.

At the end, Bournemouth scored a consolation try. On halfway, a break from the scrum by flanker Chris Hicks saw him release the ball to full back Alex Rose who showed great pace to score in the left hand corner.

Scorers:
Verwood: Darren Kendall (2); Chris Poole;
Conversions: Marc Kuhne (2)
Penalty: Marc Kuhne
Bournemouth: Ian Caswell; Alex Rose

East Dorset 10 Verwood 10
11th December 2004

Leading 10 -0 15 minutes into the second half, it looked as if Verwood had the points all sown up. All credit to East Dorset in fighting their way back into the game to draw the match.

A glorious sunny afternoon at Iford drew a sizeable crowd of spectators who were well entertained for the 80 minutes. Verwood weathered the initial on-slaught from East Dorset and scored after 18 minutes. Turnover ball at the ruck just outside the visitors 22, saw the ball moved down the right hand side. The overlap was worked by centre Darren Kendall and winger Nick Taylor stretched his legs from half way to score under the posts. Marc Kuhne added the conversion. In fact, Verwood
were far the better side around the gain line, playing a slick passing game with prop forward Ian Mackrell and his mop of blond hair prominent as any of the backs. Verwood’s ambitious style of play deserved better.Overlaps were ignored, passes were dropped, rucks were killed when quick ball was essential.

0-7 at half-time.

Verwood extended their lead 10 minutes into the second half when Marc Kuhne slotted a penalty from 30 metres out. Soon after, number 8 Tom McGuffie was sin binned for an indiscretion. East Dorset capitalised on this and raised their work rate. From a ruck 10 metres out, Carl Leadbetter drove over to score and flyhalf Mike Scammell added the conversion. With 15 minutes of the match remaining, Scammell kicked a penalty to tie the scores. Verwood had three attempts at goal before the end, normally in kickable range for Kuhne, one of which glanced the upright.

Scorers:
Verwood Nick Taylor
Conversion: Marc Kuhne
Penalty: Marc Kuhne
East Dorset Carl Leadbetter
Conversion: Mike Scammell
Penalty: Mike Scammell

Verwood 22 Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew 0
4th December 2004

This was a good run out for Verwood in advance of their League match against East Dorset next week. Verwood scored all their points in the first half which was a credit to Wheatsheaf’s second half performance having shaken themselves up well and truly during the interval.

Verwood scored their first try after only 5 minutes. Quick ruck ball in front of ‘sheaf’s posts saw swift transmission of the ball by the backs to right winger Andy Douch who scored in the corner. The second was almost a carbon copy of the first but this time on the left when left winger Karl Jenesen flopped over unopposed. Marc Kuhne added the conversion. Verwood’s third resulted in the ball being run from deep, followed by winger Douch speculatively kicking ahead. He re-gathered the ball and fed out of the tackle to his scrum half Joe Walsgrove who slid over to score. Verwood’s last score came from an error by the Crew. In their own 22, a poor and wayward pass from the scrum to flyhalf Lewis’ feet saw him pincered whilst desperately trying to gather up the ball. Verwood’s Number 8 Richard Cook stole the ball and drove over from 10 metres out to score.

22-0 at half time.

Wheatsheaf certainly picked up the tempo in the second half. Their scrum functioned more effectively thanks in particular to the efforts of youngster, and debutante prop, Ian Mackrell. ‘Sheaf also consistently turned over the ball in the tackle zone on a staggering number of occasions and the penalty count was heavily in their favour which was to provide a solid platform for the
Crew’s backs. With some clean possession, and with Verwood perhaps letting off on the throttle, the Crew should have pulled back the score. However, despite the plethora of possession, Sheaf were more often than not trying to attack from deep. Disappointingly, their build up in terms of primary phases and attacking ideas lacked coherence which was ultimately reflected in the final score.

Scorers:
Verwood: Andy Douch; Karl Jenesen; Joe Walsgrove; Richard Cook
Conversions: Marc Kuhne (1)

Oakmeadians II 12 Verwood 5
20th November 2004

The dirty weather conditions were hardly conducive to open flowing rugby on a cold, wet miserable day. This was an error ridden match despite the absence of a bar of soap on the pitch.

Oaks scored after 10 minutes. Verwood failed to secure the ball at a lineout 5 metres from their line and in the ensuing confusion second row Bosman got to the ball first and drove over to score. Verwood spent the next 20 minutes camped in Oaks 22. Despite a plethora of possession from a variety of phases, Verwood were unable to penetrate and score.

Oaks scored their second following a lineout outside Verwood’s 22. Inside centre Duncan found a good inside line to slip the tackle of Smith and Ramsey to run in under the posts. Duncan added the conversion. Despite Oaks being two scores ahead, Verwood were competing comfortably, kicking, chasing and tackling with vigour.

Verwood restablished camp in the Oaks 22. A clever chip ahead by Deeble saw winger Wayne Vaughan chase enthusiastically to win the touch down in the right hand corner. Just before the interval, Verwood lost a key attacking ball carrier in Second row Darren Clarbull who sustained a nasty eye injury. This was shortly followed by Verwood flanker Tom McGuffie sin-binned in the 37th minute.

12-5 at half time.

Remarkably, the second half remained scoreless with little to separate the two sides. Both sets of forwards continued to be tenacious in their approach. Verwood’s openside flanker Gareth Smith was ever present in the loose and, at the close, set off on breath stopping 50 metre break from deep in his 22. This last chance effort should have been capitalised on by the visitors if only the ball had found its way out wide to a three man overlap.

Scorers:
Oakmeadians: Bosman; Duncan
Conversion: Duncan
Verwood: Wayne Vaughan

Verwood 19 Overton 7
13th November 2004

Verwood move into third position in Hampshire 3 following this win which puts them back in the race for promotion this season. Following this performance, Verwood appear to be the only side in their League wanting to play a 15 man expansive game and it took the whole half of the game before Verwood settled into their pattern.

Even so, right from the start Verwood were camped in Overton’s 22 and continued to return despite being denied numerous try scoring opportunities whilst the referee went through the law book finding one indiscretion after another. Consequently, the spectacle was very much a stop start affair with no rhythm. Verwood have still not rectified their early season problems of gifting home points to the opposition. Entirely against the run of play, a dropped ball in midfield by Verwood’s centre Nick Taylor saw his opposite centre Dan Williams pick up, stretch his legs to go over under the posts unopposed.

Verwood scored 10 minutes from half time. Tony Cosgrove secured clean lineout ball on Overton’s 22. Fly half Deeble worked a scissors with Nick Taylor who carved his way through the middle running a great angle and at pace. In the ensuing maul, prop forward Rob Ford drove on and the ball was quickly released to a three man overlap. Good hands saw full back Craig Wingate in on the left hand side.

5-7 at half time.

After 15 minutes of the second half, Verwood’s right wing Andrew Douch darted on a typically elusive meandering run from 30 metres out to see him skip in under the posts. Wingate converted. Overton subsequently appeared to adopt a tactic of aimless kicking from out of their 22 which only brought some dazzling run backs from the likes of Kendall and Wingate. It was from one of these “tactical” clearances that centre Andy Palmer broke through to score from 15 metres out, converted by Wingate. The home side had by now effectively closed off the contest, as any meaningful challenge from Overton had more than fizzled out.

Scorers:
Verwood: Craig Wingate; Andrew Douch; Andrew Palmer;
Conversions: Craig Wingate (2)
Overton: Dan Williams (Try & conversion)

Chineham 32 Verwood 0
6th Novemberr 2004
[Report awaited from Mark Coppage. In the meantime try Chineham RFC]

Verwood 5 Paxton Pumas 8
30th October 2004
[Report still awaited from Mike Cockram who is likely to be "chaired" if it doesn't turn up soon]

New Milton II 7 Verwood 15
23rd October 2004

Despite the dreadful weather of driving rain, this was a good game of rugby despite New Milton’s abrasive and ill disciplined pack seeking to upset the better organised visiting team.

Verwood weathered an early storm in the first half with some excellent first line defence. Verwood scored just before the interval when, following a tap penalty, inside centre Nick Douch was able to power over from short range.

0-5 at half time

The most memorable moment of the game is an inspiration to all those couch potatoes. Verwood’s prop forward Ian Mackrell, at 44, showed blistering pace to score from the half way line. He did very well by managing to break off a rolling maul, side step flanker Chris Johnson to then sprint the remaining 40 metres to score - hardly drawing breath in the process. Quite remarkable. Soon after a series of quick rucks in Milton’s 22 saw a two man overlap out left to see Number 8 Ross
Wilkinson over in the corner. In fairness to New Milton, they took the game back to Verwood in the last 10 minutes. They were rewarded with a score in the right hand corner through winger Will Carson. Rob Mangles converted.

Scorers:
New Milton: Will Carson
Conversion Rob Mangles
Verwood: Nick Douch; Ian Mackrell; Ross Wilkinson

Verwood 17 Swanage & Wareham III 13
16th October 2004

Verwood were sufficiently prepared not to under-estimate the strength in depth of Swans whose thirds play in Dorset & Wilts I and currently lie at the top end of the Table. This was a particularly watchable game as both sides played good enterprising rugby with the game flowing up and down the pitch like the ebbing of the tide. An exchange of penalties saw the game locked at 3-3 after 20 minutes with neither side being able to break the final defensive line. The Try faminie ended when Swans managed to move the ball swiftly right after a couple of rucks 30 metres out to see right winger Johnson over at the corner.

Just before the interval Verwood’s fly-half Steve Deeble made a trade mark break in Swans 22 from clean ball at the scrummage. Although tackled 10 metres out, he had the presence of mind to feed flanker James Chisholm who scored under the posts. Marc Kuhne converted.

10-8 at half time.

More duelling in the second half. Verwood second row Mark Ramsey was particularly fired up and ever present at ruck and maul having never beaten Swans in his illustrious career spanning 20 year. It looked like the game might drift away from Verwood when, with 10 minutes to go, Swans scored a push over try. Into the dying seconds of the game. Verwood secured the ball from a ruck 40 metres out. Kuhne broke blind to feed winger Nick Douch out of the tackle. The powerful and
well built Douch ran through his opposing winger Saunders and similarly bounced over the full back Boyce to score to the right of the posts. Kuhne converted.

Scorers:
Verwood: James Chisholm; Nick Douch
Conversion: Marc Kuhne (2)
Penalty: Marc Kuhne

Meanwhile, Verwood II were away to Swanage & Wareham IV beating the Purbeck side 28-14.

Stoneham Park 5 Verwood 57
9th October 2004

In previous seasons, matches against Stoneham have proved to be Verwood’s achilles heel. Not so this time as Verwood dominated the game from start to finish. It was only in the set pieces of lineout & scrummage that Stoneham where able to upset Verwood’s rhythm.

With no early onslaught to weather from the home side, Verwood scored after five minutes. A typical powerful run from winger Alan Cook down the right saw him tackled just short of the line. Marc Kuhne picked up and dived in at the corner. Good lineout ball soon after saw a meandering 40 metre run from “all arms and legs” centre Nick Taylor on the scissors to take him under the posts. Marc Kuhne converted. Not long affter the restart Stoneham put together a series of close tight drives off a lineout outside Verwood’ s 22. Scrum Half Andy Stride eventually dived in from a few metres out to score.

Soon after the restart Kuhne scored his second after supporting another searing scamper down the right by Cook. Just before the break, Cook finished off another similar effort which Kuhne converted. The only mar to the first half was an unfrtunte injury to young winger Charlie Cockram who broke his ankle in a tackle and may be out of action for 2 months.

5-24 half-time.

Just like last season, it was floodgates time as the Stoneham’s forward effort visibly tired in the loose and they had no answer to the incisive running of Verwood centres Andy Palmer and Nick Taylor as well as some penetrative running from deep by full back Karl Jensen.

The most memorable score however, came from veteran campaigner Steve Debble from fly half. He received the ball from a lineout 30 metres out to be greeted by a host of off side Stoneham backs. Two hand offs later he was clean trough and over under the posts. Kuhne converted. Second Row Mark Ramsey bounced over from a tap penalty 15 metres out followed by another sizzling score from winger Cook, both converted by Kuhne. Towards the close flanker Paul McGuffie went over from 20 metres out after throwing an outrageous dummy in broken play followed finally by Cook scampering over for his third at the end which Kuhne converted.

Scorers:
Verwood: Alan Cook (3); Marc Kuhne (2); Mark Ramsey; Steve Deeble; Paul McGuffie; Mark Taylor
Conversions: Marc Kuhne (6)
Stoneham Park: Andy Stride

Fordingbridge 5 Verwood 17
2nd October 2004

On the short drive over from Verwood to Fordingbridge, Verwood coach Mark Coppage and Club Secretary Andy Hoggins contemplated the game ahead as both had been Fordingbridge Captain and Vice Captain respectively in season 88/89 and were visiting old pastures. Coppage was his usual optimistic self, eulogising a narrow Verwood victory, whereas Hoggins thought he was the realist, thinking of Fordingbridge’s emphatic win over Ellingham & Ringwood the week before. He considered losing by 20 points might not be regarded as a disgrace. How wrong both proved to be.

What a game. Excellent flowing rugby from both sides played in tremendous spirit in what proved to be a memorable spectacle. Verwood played with the slope and wind in their favour in the first half which fly half Deeble made good use of kicking out of hand. On 15 minutes quick ruck ball in Bridges’s 22 saw the ball moved swiftly left to see winger Chris Poole round his man and score in the corner.

0-5 at half time.

Although Verwood were under considerable pressure at the scrummage, they were the better side in the loose and their continuity play was superior on the day. Verwood’s first line of defence takling was superb and youngster Charlie Cockram particular impressed at outside centre.

Fordingbridge equalised after 10 minutes in the second half. An attempted miss move in the centres on half way went horribly wrong for Verwood and Bridge capitalised on this with the ball moved right to winger Rory Williams who scored in at the corner.

Verwood repost came 5 minutes later. After a series of rucks, an overlap on the right was exploited to seem winger Darren Kendell score in the corner, unfortunately injuring himself in the process. Marc Kuhne slotted a fabulous touchline conversion. Into the last ten minutes. Out of the 22 Verwood’s full back Karl Jensen put in a speculative up field kick. All and sundry chased up field and the outcome of the resulting mayhem was a scrum 5 metres out to Verwood. Quick channel
one ball saw it moved left for replacement winger Tom McGuffie to score in the corner.

Scorers:
Verwood: Chris Poole; Tom McGuffie; Darren Kendall
Conversion: Marc Kuhne
Fordingbridge: Rory Williams

Verwood 3 Kingsclere 6
25th September 2004

Low scoring games can sometimes belie the nature of the game - exciting fast following end to end stuff, dazzling handling and all that. Alas, this game had none of that except perhaps the opening 15 minutes when Verwood were denied a score in the left. Verwood’s full back Karl Jensen was adjudged not to have grounded the ball after an exciting attack from half way with forwards and backs combining well.

Other than that, scrappy, no pattern from either side, penalty riven but physical and brutal nonetheless. Kingsclere scored first after 10 minutes. A well struck drop goal 30 metres out by fly half Stuart Burns. Verwood responded soon after with Marc Kuhne converting a penalty. Just before the interval Kingsclere’s Burns slotted a penalty kick.

3-6 at half time.

The second half was a carbon copy of the first but scoreless with neither side showing any real sense of purpose. Kingsclere were intent on disrupting and stretching the offside laws at ruck & maul. In fairness Kingsclere dominated at the scrummage effectively denying Verwood any clean possession from this phase of the game in which there were scrums a plenty.

Verwood only needed to lift their game a notch or two to impose some semblance of coherence but failed to do so. They were effectively shackled. Disappointing all round for players and spectators alike. Both sides have probably guaranteed sharp words from their coaches and have much to ponder on.

Scorers:
Verwood: Marc Kuhne (Penalty)
Kingsclere: Stuart Burns (Drop Goal & Penalty)

Trojans 39 Verwood 0
Powergen Junior Vase Round 1
18th September 2004

This was always going to be an uphill task for Verwood facing Hampshire Division 1 opposition. Perhaps it was a little early in the Season for the Verwood boys to put their bodies on the line but that’s exactly what they did.

Trojans had the elements in their favour with the driving wind and rain on their backs. Yet the home side had to wait until the 30th minute to score their first try which was a lucky-break as Verwood’s defence had held firm having refused to cave in despite being subjected to all kinds of pressure. An attempted clearance by fly- half Karl Jenson was charged down. Quite remarkably the ball stuck in Second Row Matt Knight’s hands and he ran in unopposed from 15 metres out.

10 minutes later, Trojans superior wait in the scrum saw them score a push over try from 10 metres out through number 8 Tom MacIntosh. Centre Tim Zeale converted.

On the stroke of half time, Trojans re-cycled the ball quickly from a ruck in Verwood’s 22. Numbers right saw the ball shipped to full back James Pennington who nipped in at the right hand corner.

17-0 half time.

In the second half, it was still all to play for with the advantage of the elements in Verwood’s favour. As luck would have it the wind and rain eased off. Verwood competed well all afternoon matching Trojans in the lineout and lose. Turnovers were on an equal footing but it was pressure in the scrum that took its toll.

Trojans scored again on the hour. After a couple of phases of play the ball was moved right to see flanker Dave Strange over in the right hand corner. This was soon followed by a similar but controversial score in the left hand corner when there was some doubt as to whether MacIntosh grounded the ball in the tackle. In the last 10 minutes Trojans scored two further tries through
Pennington which he converted, and replacement Adrian Smith who slipped in at the corner.

Scorers:
Trojans: Matt Knight; Tom MacIntosh (2); James Pennington (2); Dave Strange; Adrian Smith
Conversions: Tim Zeale; James Pennington

Millbrook II 8 Verwood 52
11th September 2004

Verwood were disappointed that the Hampshire Division 1 side were unable to muster a stronger second team in advance of the visitors Cup game against Trojans next week. Nonetheless, this was a keenly fought encounter and an entertaining spectacle played in good spirit.

Verwood took a good 15 minutes to find their rhythm. Centre Nick Taylor found some space 30 metres out and a meandering run saw him over in the right. Kuhne converted. Millbrook scored some after the restart. A penalty in Verwood’s 22 was quickly taken and flanker Damien Jones rolled out of two poor tackles to score. Soon after, Millbook’s Bobby Leggett added a penalty from 30 metres out to take a 8-7 lead. But not for long.

Verwood ran a penalty 25 metres out. Huckle fed Number 8, Paul McGuffie, who rode two tackles and powered over to score. Kuhne converted. An almost double take 10 minutes later this time saw Huckle fed second row Mike Wheatley who was equal to McGuffie to drive over and score. Kuhne converted.

8-21 half time.

In the second half ,Verwood reasserted their dominance in all phases and established a decisive pattern to their game. After 10 minutes a series of quick rucks saw centre Darren Kendall step inside Leggett and a couple of swerves and a hand-off saw him over on the left. Kuhne again converted. More Magic straight from the restart. A powerful run from Second Row Banks and 2 phases of quick re-cycling saw centre Taylor over again with another fine conversion from Kuhne. Again, straight from the re-start, a powerful run from Wheatley and a super pass out of the tackle by Kendal, saw Taylor in for his hatrick.

Verwood were now putting everything together. Another passage of play with backs and forward linking saw flanker Ross Wilkinson over. The best was for last. Verwood ran the ball from deep in their half and the ball was crisply moved down the three quarter line to left wing Wayne Vaughan who showed his pace to run in from 40 metres out.

Scorers:
Verwood: Nick Taylor (3); Wayne Vaughan; Paul McGuffie; Ross Wilkinson; Darren Kendall;
Mike Wheatley
Conversion: Marc Kuhne (6)
Millbrook: Damien Jones;
Penalty: Bobby Leggett

Egham 15 Verwood 22
Preliminary Round of Powergen Junior Vase
4th September 2004

What a start to Verwood’s season who were wonderfully optimistic and ambitious throughout this match, despite the searing heat. They were always in complete control of the scoreboard and dominated all phases of the game.

Verwood couldn’t have wished for a better start. Right from the kick off, Verwood ran the ball straight back at Egham. After a series of quick rucks the ball was moved swiftly left to winger Wayne Vaughan who showed good pace to run in from 20 metres after just 50 seconds.

Verwood had started the process of running Egham to distraction in the first quarter of the game. Darren Kendall, playing on the right wing was tackled just short of the line following a kick and chase. Soon after, inside centre Andy Palmer went over in the right after a series of rucks and mauls. In fact, incisive running from Verwood centres Andy Palmer and Alan Cook were the flavour of the afternoon and a dominant factor. They were both deadly, and ouzing with confidence. Just before the break, flanker Ross Wilkinson found himself in space after supporting a break from fly half Steve Deeble to score in the right hand corner.

0-15 at half time.

In the second half Verwood reasserted their dominance in all phases and flanker Gareth Smith was playing like a man possessed with his impressive rampaging runs. It was the front three combination of Paul McGuffie, Steve Thomas and Phil Huckle that provided a solid platform in the scrum. Second Row Tony Cosgrove dominated at the lineout and was ever present in the loose. Egham were living off scraps but their backs showed their potential with the limited possession available to them. 10 minutes into the second half Deeble was controversially alleged to have held back Egham’s Richard Moore following a kick and chase and a penalty try was awarded. Soon after, Egham spun the ball right to create an overlap for winger Jonny Kaultner to score in the corner. With the score at 12-15 the balance of the game might have drifted from Verwood.

The visitors reasserted their grip on the game and the match was sealed 10 minutes from time when, from a scrum, Steve Deeble worked a dummy scissors with Palmer and hit the gap to feed Alan Cook. Cook was held short of the line but stayed on his feet managing to spin off the resulting driving Maul to score under the posts. Marc Kuhne added the conversion to seal a
magnificent team performance.

Scorers:
Verwood: Wayne Vaughan; Andy Palmer; Ross Wilkinson; Alan Cook
Conversion: Marc Kuhne
Egham: Penalty Try; Jonny Kaultner;
Conversion: Richard Moore
Penalty: Richard Moore