On Saturday afternoon, St Mary’s Old Boys RFC First XV took on Whitehall at Trench Lane and won 5-3. St Mary’s had to manage without centre Mike Reed, who broke his arm at Tewkesbury last week and it was interesting to hear that over half today’s team had been playing for the club since they started their rugby as U7s.
The first ten minutes of the match saw some end-to-end rugby with handling errors from both sides but then Whitehall put on some sustained pressure in the St Mary’s 22 and earned a succession of penalties. The decision to run these rather than kick may have been a decision they would regret.
Strong defence by St Mary’s eventually pushed the game back towards the half way line and the ball broke for Mike Reed’s replacement, Seefo Nobatana, who made a great run to touch down unchallenged. The conversion was missed, so the score stayed at 5-0.
The game then settled to some scrappy end-to-end rugby for the remainder of the half.
Two minutes into the second half and it was Whitehall with a great breakaway which prompted some frantic defending from St Mary’s – eventually earning a penalty. Good ground was made from the following line out but the home side were unable to capitalise.
Another Whitehall break away was rescued by some solid defence but the ball spent the next ten minutes in the St Mary’s half with Whitehall looking increasingly dangerous and earning a penalty which was converted to make it 5-3.
After a second Whitehall penalty a minute later, coach Mark Gabey took to the field himself along with fellow substitute C. Soper and the game settled down to some bad tempered play in the centre of the pitch.
Again Whitehall broke away but St Mary’s held firm and after a run of missed penalties the game ended 5-3 to the home side. The result leaves St Mary’s sitting comfortably mid-table in the Gloucester Premier League.
After the match, Coach Mark Gabey told me: “It was a good effort from the boys. Not pretty but we came away with the points.”
St Mary’s Seconds also played Frampton 2nds, winning that match 35-7.
Meanwhile St Mary’s Ladies had qualified to the quarter finals of the National Challenge Cup and on Sunday afternoon took on Essex-based club Romford and Guida Park. This was always going to be tough match for the ladies as their opponents play a league above but they put up an amazing fight, only losing by two points. The final score was 12-14.
Football: Bradley Stoke Youth FC
On Sunday Morning the Under-11 Boys took on Highridge in a tough game that was eventually lost. The game was close and for most parts of the game, Bradley Stoke played much of the better football and looked as if they deserved more goals than they scored showing much better passing and vision.
In the first game, they were beaten three goals to one. A speedy Jayden Harris from Highridge secured three goals to ensure that going into the second game they would have an advantage. Bradley Stoke’s goal came from Underwood in an impressive strike which gave the home side a consolation.
In the second game, the Highridge second team were in the right mind set to win the game as they all played well, however Bradley Stoke were also playing some excellent passing football when they were attacking. It was the Highridge attack that was more effective, however, as they sealed a couple of early goals through Jeff Lewis – who later got a third to claim his hat-trick.
Bradley Stoke kept trying to break through the defence of Highridge but could only manage two goals. This ensured Highridge were the winning team as Bradley Stoke will now go away and work on their finishing in front of goal before their next outing.
A late kick off for Martin Lee’s Under-11 Girls whites as they took on a spirited Mangotsfield side who never gave up. It was however the home side who kept battling were able to get two goals that ensured them three points in an important league tie.
Two goals from the home side, the first from Emily Holbrooke who rifled a right footed shot into the bottom left hand corner whilst unbalanced. That gave Bradley Stoke the lead but the game was still in the balance until Laura Hewlett came on as a substitute 15 minutes from the end they were able to get their second goal. She hit the ball firmly at the keeper who got two hands to the ball but was not able to keep the ball from crossing the line. 2-0 was the final score.
Other BSYFC results:
- BSYFC Under-10 Girls 1 – 0 AEK Boco White
(BSYFC goal scored by Kayleigh Jennings) - BSYFC Under-10s 1 – 6 Coalpit Heath
- BFYFC Under-9s 1 – 3 Bristol Rovers Supporters Club
(BSYFC goal scored by Dylan Lewis)
Football: Bradley Stoke Town FC
Only one of the BSTFC games survived pitch inspections on Saturday. The Reserves were playing at home to Soundwell Victoria, which was a hard fought game that finished 1-1.
A goal on the half hour mark from Carl O’Connell when he forced an error from the goalkeeper and curled the rebound into the top left hand corner from 35 yards. Soundwell Victoria did equalise not long after, as a save from the keeper was fumbled and they were able to put the ball in from six yards out.
Listen to Connor Summers’s interview with BSTFC Reserves Team player Ben Pearce:
Audio clip courtesy of Connor Summers and Bradley Stoke Radio
 | Article by Connor Summers |
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