Date:
9th Feb. 2008

Scoring machine Ali Luxford picked up another two tries for the vees to help secure their 5th win in Herts/Middx1 this season. The Win moves them two places up the table to 6th and a shot at a top four finish.

With Kilburn's pitch currently unplayable, Vees travelled to the welcoming surroundings of wormwood scrubs to play their return fixture. Vees had a few enforced changes to their line up with big Mark Porter stepping in for John Tromans in the loose, and Gareth Waters and Gareth Morse coming in at 14 and 15.

A strong opening 20 from Kilburn saw vees on the back foot defending deep in their half, but defending solidly. Kilburn never looked like crossing the line despite some powerful running from their number 8 and 12. Vees forwards starting to exert their strength in the set piece and in the tight. Vees were awarded for penalty for Kilburn killing the ball and Evans stepped up to convert 0-3. A piece of play took place which shows good sportsmanship is still part of the game. A scrum deep in the Vees 22, saw Munien break blind around the defence and was clear. But the home official gave a foot in touch, despite note being close. The Kilburn forwards agreeing it wasn't and didn't contest the lineout, very sporting as it would have been a good attacking opportunity. Munien was quietly happy at not having to test his 80m sprint time.

Vees seemed to be getting on top and earned another penalty midfield, which Evans put into touch on the Kilburn 22. Lowe accurate throw in to Wildey meant a classic catch and drive which saw Vees trundle their way to the line but were stopped short. But showing patience to retain and re-cycle the ball Vees drove of the side a few times, before Luxford saw a gap to dive through and score. Luxford went over the try line again soon after but was pulled up for a dubious crossing decision. But Kilburn struck back just before the break with a try of their own. Quick ball from a line out on the Vees 10 metre line, saw the ball go out the strong running 12 who slipped out of a loose tackle and raced away to the line, swerving outside the fullback for a well taken solo try. 7-8.

The 2nd half started with Vees back in control, with strong running from Wildey, Porter and Luxford in the pack not to mention the centre combo of Molyneux and Gardner. Kilburn rarely ventured into the Vees Half, struggling to barge through the forwards and being cut down in the midfield when they tried to shift the ball wide. However Vees only had a slender 1 point lead going into the last 15 and they started to show the maturity and patience lacking in the first half of the season that saw them lose 4 games in the dying moments. Line out ball inside the Kilburn half was caught and driven up field. Scrum half Munien closely marshalling the forwards kept the ball very tight and pick and drove to within striking distance. The Kilburn defence held firm but on the 12 phase Luxford spotted his opportunity again to bust over and claim his 17th try of the season so far. Evans was unable to add the extras from wide out, but vees had scured their 5th league win.

Vees will look to avenge the 28-26 loss to Old Actonians at home on Sat, 2pm KO next week.

Date: 16th Feb. 2008

Another solid win for Verulamians at home which means they have won 4 of their 5 league games since Christmas. This winning streak has moved them from the bottom of the table to relative saftey at 6th in the league.

Three changes from last week, saw John Tromans & Rory Elliot returning to the pack with Chris Monaghan reclaiming the 15 shirt. Vees knew they would have to keep their discipline this week, having previously lost 28-26 to Actonians which included 8 goals from the boot of their number ten!

From the outset Vees had the dominance in the set piece and tight. It was also clear if OA's could get enough clean posession their big Aussie and Romanian centres would cause havoc.

Vees had an early opportunity to score after a lot of pressure in the OA's 22 resulted in a scrum. On the Third reset Vees were able to drive over the line and a grinning Robin Wildey was able to touch down over the line. Evans was unable to add the extras from out wide. Vees failed to clear their lines from the restart, a charged down kick, collect and chip over the defence saw Actonians level the score. Their 10 also missed the conversion from out wide.

It was from a scrum soon after that Vees took the lead again. This time from the 22, fly half Andy Evans got quick ball changing direction left to right and carved through the defending backline to score under the posts. Converting his own try putting Vees 12-5 at the break.

The second half continued with Vees exerting their forwards dominance, starving the visitors of posession. But it took some time to break the OA's defence. It finally came with the move of the match. A scrum to the Vees on the half way line and Vees had the perfect attacking platform. A slight wheel to the right and number 8 Wildey picked up and fed scrum half Munien who stepped outside his man and through the gap. Full back Chris Monaghan came tearing up on his outside shoulder, received the pass and raced 30M away around the fullback to score. A fine try from a trio of Verulam school Veterans!

OA's went uncontested in the scrum after their 2nd front row player went off injured. The extra possession saw their backs enjoy some good runs, but were ultimately cut down in the centres by Molyneux and Gardner. It was Gardner who scored Vees final try. A series of rolling mauls by the forwards up field, found the OA's struggling and their backs got sucked in to stop the inevitable try. However Vees then moved the ball wide for Gardner to stroll in unopposed. With time up on the clock Vees earned a penalty in front of the posts which Evans converted to finish on 25-5 and a thoroughly deserved win. Vees travel to Borehamwood on Sunday in the cup then are back n league action away at West London on the 1st March

Graphics & Design: S. Mandelbaum (shalom@mandelbaumonline.net)