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Match report 2/3/08 Ledbury’s 1st XV travelled to Coventry on Saturday to play Copsewood in the latest quest in their push for promotion and steamrollered the home team by ten tries to nil as they maintained their impressive run of form. Determined to avoid any complacency against a side languishing near the bottom of the table but with a record of raising their game at home, Ledbury showed commendable professionalism in their match preparations and stamped their authority on the match from the outset. The forwards imposed themselves on the Copsewood scrum in the first minutes, with Will Rogers gaining mastery over his massive opposite number immediately, thus eliminating the one area where the home team might have felt able to pressurise the visitors. As ever, the line out was a source of excellent quick possession through Matt Williams and Sam Scholefield and with Ledbury seeking to run the ball from deep as well as in the Copsewood half, the game was effectively settled by the end of the first quarter with score reading 26 points to nil. Winger Will Green scored the first try after four minutes, full back Luke White the second after eight and fly half Bruce Ruthven the third after a quarter of an hour as Ledbury’s backs proved too fast and skilful for their opponents. The forwards did not take long to join in the try fest, Matt Williams crashing over from two feet and Sam Scholefield supporting a break by Olly Kaye for the fifth try. Kaye was unfortunate not to score himself, being stopped inches from the line on two occasions, but this did not prevent White going over for the sixth try before half time arrived with Ledbury in command at 38 points to nil. Ledbury kept their focus and shape during the second half, and defended resolutely when Copsewood rallied and mounted a period of pressure themselves late on, aware that points differential could play a part in the final reckoning of promotion places. Will Green scored to further tries for a well deserved hat trick and in so doing moved clear as top try scorer for the season. A second try for White added to his impressive try count and his consistently high standard of place kicking saw him convert eight of the ten tries. Chris Fisher scored his first try for the 1st’s when deputising for the injured Ruthven, this being the one downside on an excellent performance, rounded off by a try from Paul Williams who, like his fellow replacement Martin Cole made a valuable contribution to the victory. This Saturday at 3.00 Ledbury host Worcester Wanderers at Ross Road as the season comes to the boil, and spectators can be assured of an entertaining afternoon’s rugby once again. |
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