Match Reports: All Whites VS Wiveliscombe

All Whites

Final Score 51 – 33 to Wiveliscombe

First and foremost, we have to credit Wiveliscombe.

At one stage they went 33-11 down, which seemed to really jolt them into life. As the score line suggests, we playing bumbling along ‘okay’ with 25 minutes on the clock. It was clearly evident that for the first time in a long time we weren’t the hungriest team in the field, perhaps a reflection of how tough going our recent run has been.

That said, to occupy a position in the top half of the league we need to be able to play below par and still come away with the points. Things seemed to come apart at the seams when the home side scored a fortuitous intercept try. From then on, the game defied all logic as we barely touched the ball for the final 20 minutes.

Wiveliscombe was outstanding, kicking us all around the park and making full use of their tricky sloping pitch. In a manic 5-minute spell, the home side scored three tries, all of them straight from our kick-off. With that, the game was taken away from us. We will take away some valuable lessons from this game, but won’t be overreacting. The reality is, our playing resources were stretched to the limit yesterday and with a week off on the cards we will regroup for what is going to be a wonderful end to the season.

All White Ladies – Saving the Best for Last

Final Score: 17 – 05 to the All Whites

Tries:

Megan Heath

Jess Veacock – Sponsored by Centrax

Steph Papp – Sponsored by Attitude Hair and Beauty

The All-White Ladies’ last match of the season culminated in a massive team win!

Portsmouth put the first points on the board in the opening minutes but were unable to convert. The ladies came back strong and took the lead with an outstanding penalty try from Jess Veacock, shocking the visiting Portsmouth who had a strong supporter base at the match-up. Still, within the first half, the White’s Megan Heath got over the line with some superb ball protection and team play taking the score to 12 – 5 a comfortable lead to take into the second half.

The energy throughout did not drop off for either sides and for the first 25 minutes of the second half went scoreless both sides. With just 10 minutes to play the Whites dug in and secured a sensational left corner team try from Steph Papp taking the score to 17 – 5. In the closing minutes, The Whites kept control of the game as Portsmouth’s frustrations started to boil over!

The entire game was a massive defensive effort the Whites pushed back the Valkyries multiple times, turning over the ball consistently and taking massive advantage! Jess Veacock had the last touch of the game, kicking the ball off into touch as the ref blew his last whistle the celebration from All Whites supporters, team, and coaches was a mix of astonishment, absolute joy, and relief with such a tough season all the hard work paid off at the last moment and set the team up well for not only the team social after the match but also for the next season, bring on 2022/23!

Huge thanks to the Ladies coaches Emily Tuttosi and Phil Burford for the entire season from all the girls! Truly wouldn’t have achieved this moment without their support! Up the Whites and we never doubt it for a second!

U14’s – Plate Winners!

Our Under 14 team travelled to Plymstock Albion Oaks to play in the annual 7s competition. We kicked off the tournament with a gallant effort in our first pool match, narrowly going down to Ivybridge. We then went on to win all our other pool matches beating Plymstock, Cullompton and Exeter Athletic. This then meant we would face Crediton in the Plate semi-final. This again was a brave performance and a whole team effort with us coming away with a win and a place in the final! The boys had a job to do and the afternoon wouldn’t be complete until the final whistle. Facing Sidmouth, who had a never say die attitude, we went out to an early lead. However, Sidmouth courageously fought back to make it 35-33 still in our favour. With a nail-biting final few minutes, our boys finished the job they started 47-33. Plate winners! A true team effort supported by fellow (non-playing) teammates and families. Our rugby family marches on together as we prepare for our Devon Plate Final on Sunday 1st May at NARFC against Cullompton!