Match Report - Guildford vs Wimborne, Saturday 2nd March

Guildford Rugby Club

Match Report - Guildford vs Wimborne, Saturday 2nd March

Guildford 35 – 13 Wimborne

Saturday 2nd March 2024

Confident display makes it 5 from 5 for Guildford

Team: 1 Jon Karimian, 2 Jacob Jones, 3 Alex Hankins ©, 4 Alex Burill, 5 Flynn Crean, 6 Ollie Millward, 7 Brett Kingsbury, 8 Joe Garner (VC), 9 Ieuan Jones, 10 Liam Driscoll, 11 Louis Bounds, 12 Ben Roberts, 13, Alex Jordan, 14 Blair Norton, 15 Zac Rodber

Replacements: 16 Ed Pasfield, 17 Matt Poole, 18 Joe Gwyther

Another bonus point win after a confident display at home against Wimborne puts Guildford in a strong position for a top four finish to the season. When the two sides met previously in November, Guildford ran out winners of a scrappy affair 22-26. Today’s performance was far better.

There were a couple of changes to the back line from the previous outing in Reading with the return of Louis Bounds and Joe Gwyther. Ed Pasfield coming into the squad to replace Luke Brookes in the front row.

It was touch-and-go if the game would be on after almost 3 days continuous rain had caused pools of water to form around the edges of the pitch. A willing band of volunteers worked hard early on Saturday morning to help drain the water away to enable the game to take place, thank you gentlemen!

Today’s crowd was bolstered by over 120 guests at the annual past players lunch, including over 20 members of the original Gazelles squad who were most welcome. After Wimborne got the game underway playing towards the Guildford Road end, they were encouraged by some good early pressure from Guildford which saw several sorties into the Wimborne 22 but alas, they were just not able to convert this early pressure into points.

Because of this sustained pressure Wimborne were penalised at the breakdown under their posts, Guildford decided to opt for a shot at goal which was converted by Ieuan Jones. After 15 minutes the score was Guildford 3 – 0 Wimborne.

As tends to be the way with many teams who have just scored, Guildford failed to deal well enough with the kick off and were forced into conceding a penalty under their own posts which Wimborne converted to take the score to Guildford 3 – 3 Wimborne.

After more ebbing and flowing further Guildford pressure resulted in another successful penalty attempt that moved the score on Guildford 6-3.

Guildford had several opportunities to get in a scoring position, but had just fallen at the final hurdle, either with poor execution or getting isolated and conceding a penalty. Finally, with 35 minutes on the clock things started going to plan. A kick to the corner from a penalty by the ever-impressive Zac Rodber gave Guildford a lineout on the Wimborne 5m line. Jacob Jones’ arrows were good, Foley secured the ball, and the drive was good. Ollie Millward dived over at the back of the maul to score the first try of the day. The conversion was missed, and the score moved on to Guildford 11-3 Wimborne.

History repeated itself from the restart. Guildford didn’t clear their lines and were put under pressure by an enthusiastic Wimborne defence. This resulted in a penalty to Wimborne for not releasing. The shot at goal was good, the score moved on to Guildford 11-6 Wimborne, with about 39 mins played.

Shortly after the referee, who had a good game and didn’t dominate proceedings, signalled an end to the first half.

Guildford will have felt the happier of the two teams at the break, but they will have been disappointed not to have turned more of their pressure into points on the scoreboard.

HT: Guildford 11 – 6 Wimborne

Guildford kicked off the second half playing down the incline towards the road. The kick off was deep into the Wimborne half and was improved by an even better chase by Louis Bounds who showed good strength to help win the ball back at the ruck. A deft chip over the top from Ieuan Jones with Joe Garner galloping down the hill onto a lovely bounce about 20m out, enabled him to gather the ball cleanly and run over unopposed for Guildford’s second try with less than a minute played. The conversion was good from Ieuan, the score moved on to Guildford 18 – 6 Wimborne. The perfect start to the second half.

Early in the second half saw some changes in personnel and position. Jon Karimian was replaced by Matt Poole, Joe Gwyther came on for Ieuan Jones, who had controlled the early part of the game well, with Liam Driscoll moving to his more accustomed role at 9. Alex Jordan and Zac swap places moving to fullback and outside centre respectively. Jacob Jones takes a breather replaced by Ed Pasfield.

The backs looked a little bit out of sync for a short period as they adjusted to the change in positions. However, Guildford were starting to operate at pace and make inroads into the Wimborne defence. This pressure results in Joe Garner crashing over for his second and Guildford’s third try, conversion missed. Score Guildford 23 – 6 Wimborne, after 20 minutes of the half played.

Five minutes later Matt Poole found himself on the end of another sweeping Guildford move involving backs and forwards straight from the restart. A well-timed pass from Alex Burill gave him the space to canter down the hill crossing for his first try this season and Guildford’s fourth which was also unconverted. Guildford 28 - 6 Wimborne.

Guildford had the wind in their tails now and were finding gaps in a tiring Wimborne defence. The bonus point try was a fine team effort that started just inside the Guildford half by Joe Gwyther who fielded a clearing kick. Some good supporting play and strong running from Zac Rodber, created the space for Alex Jordan to run in unopposed under the sticks which was converted by Ieuan Jones, who was back on the field for Liam Driscoll. The score Guildford 35 – 6 Wimborne.

A late consolation try for Wimborne who created space on the outside for the right winger to run in for 30 yards out. The conversion is good, score Guildford 35 – 13 Wimborne.

Shortly after the referee brought proceedings to a halt.

FT: Guildford 35 – 13 Wimborne

At times a strong, confident performance from Guildford with forwards and backs linking well and making good use of quick ball, at other times playing like they don’t know each other. However, the good outweighed the bad and Guildford always looked comfortable with or without the ball.

The lineout was good again this week with the process working well. A couple more tries could have been on the scoreboard if there was better control of the drive from the lineout, or final passes had gone to hand. Joe Garner, Alex Burill and Flynn Crean stealing lots of opposition ball, or disrupting what little ball Wimborne did win and making life very difficult for the opposition.

The scrums were solid and even dominant at times which is a significant improvement from the outing against Reading. One area for improvement is receiving kick offs. Early in the game we didn’t deal well with them and put ourselves under unnecessary pressure, later in the game we were making good ground and turning the defence. More consistency is needed in this area.

The backs are still struggling to find some of the earlier season fluidity. Weekly changes of personnel and positions doesn’t help, but with a small squad this is inevitable. The return of long term absentees Rob Voller and Jonny Burden could provide more options.

Guildford sit in 4th place in the league with 3 games left, five points ahead of London Irish and 9 points behind Winchester, who have a game in hand. There is no game next week, 9th March. Guildford are next in action away at Farnham on 16th March and will be hoping to continue their winning ways. As ever, your support would be most welcome.

Mike Burden

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