Blandford travelled to Poole for their first vets game for 2011.

The game started at at a fast pace, with an early backs move releasing Stu Robbins in his first ever game of rugby, sprinting 30 yards down the touch after out pacing the full back it looked to be the perfect start, only to be tripped by a ‘hole’ 5 yards out. With quick recycling of the ball and swift hand saw prop Joe Grinter sprint the last 4 yards to score the opening try, with a drop kick conversion by Kev Robbins.

Poole, the bigger of the two packs, showed their forward strength with a lot of pressure put on Blandfords line, but with great defence and clearance kicking by scrum half Nick Frampton, they made their way back up the pitch, with some storming runs from Team Captain Simon Worfolk and great off loading in the tackle another 5 points in the corner by Henry Wates.

Blandford starting to get the upper hand in the forwards after some front row changes, with Ewan Clarke, J.Frampton, Kev Robbins they started to win their own line out and scrums, releasing Phil Meaden to go on one of his trade mark ‘bullish’ runs swerving through the Poole defence to be stopped short, again quick recycling and good hands let Adam Wates go over.

With the game going Blandfords way, and Phil making yards he crossed for another 7 points, which secured a good win for the first game of the season, and are looking forward to many more games.

If you would like a game for Blandford’s Vets please get in touch.

Report submitted by: Justin Frampton

With an array of fine moustaches on display for Movember Blandford travelled to the seasiders for a warmly contested match on an windy day.

Blanford applied some early pressure though some mistakes in the breakdown area allowed Weymouth to relieve the pressure. However it was Blandford that struck first. A break by Skipper Simon Worfolk from the back of the scrum off-loading to fly half Al Wingate-Saul supporting on the blind side who timed an excellent pass to winger Stuart Robbins to score his first try in only his second every game of rugby with a 40 yard dash to the line.

Some infringements by Blandford saw the penalty count rise allowing Weymouth to strike back through their forwards. Blandford’s pack then began to exert its dominance in the scrum led by Ewan Clarke, Kevin Robbins & Adie Collins in the front row. A full pack effort at a 5 metre scrum allowed Worfolk to score.

The score remained the same for some time as the sides were evenly matched. Pat Quinn not allowing the Weymouth line-out any easy ball with some superb attacking play supported by Collins and Clarke.

As the game moved into its final stages Weymouth raised their game once more and applied sufficient pressure on the Blandford line to allow their fly half to find and create some gaps in Blandford’s defence to go over the line.

Following some hard work by the Blandford forwards securing some good ball, Al Wingate-Saul charged through Weymouth’s defence, who in term released Lee Haim to sprint for the line.

Soon after pressure by Weymouth again forced Blandford to concede a penalty just inside their 22 and taking the penalty quickly their scrum half darted for the corner. Honours even.

It appeared a draw was on the cards but a final effort by Blandford moved the ball up the field where scrum half Lee Haim chipped over and chasing his own kick, skilfully scooped up a difficult bouncing ball passing the final defender at the same time to again sprint for the line for his second and winning try of the match.

Report submitted by: Simon Worfolk