Gazette Sport
RUGBY: Alchester 9 Marlborough 6
11:30am Wednesday 22nd February 2012
MARLBOROUGH narrowly missed out on their first Southern Counties North win of the campaign as they lost narrowly to their Oxfordshire opponents for the second time this season.
After a one-point defeat at home in November, Marlborough travelled with one of their strongest sides of the campaign and held firm against the hosts’ pressure in the opening 20 minutes.
The visitors’ habit of conceding penalties returned to haunt them as centre Tom Miles booted Alchester into the lead and the game became bogged down as the conditions worsened.
Marlborough levelled when wing Nathan Morgan slotted a straight forward penalty but the game was becoming a forward-dominated one with the Alchester driving maul causing the Marlborough pack problem.
Miles landed his second kick to nudge Alchester ahead before half time but strong breaks from Dave Lemon, Joe Mitchell, Jonny Mantle and the returning Tom Phillips gave Marlborough a platform in the second period, earning the penalty that Morgan kicked to level matters again.
The visitors continued to dominate, but the match turned when Marlborough second row Jake Lynd was yellow-carded for an off-the-ball offence.
Miles stepped up and kicked the winning penalty for the home side.
Marlborough welcome the 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh to The Common to play the inaugural Cow Cup annual fixture.
The game is being held in memory of the late Corporal Gareth Jones (aka Cow), who played for both sides.
Kick-off is at 1pm, followed bythe England versus. Wales Six Nations match in the clubhouse.
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