Match Reports 06-07 from Alan Day and Kevin Byatt

On Saturday 2nd September Millbrook held an inter-club trials match. Many players were away and the second team in particular were severely depleted. However it was a worthwhile exercise and a good eighty minute work-out. The first team dominated the try tally mainly through their superior backs, but the second team forwards were always in the fight, especially in set pieces. Indeed the last try of the game was from a five yard scrum, driven over and scored by veteran No 8 legend, Jim Brown.

Matches held on Saturday 9th September.
1st XV report from Alan Day
Fawley 24 v Millbrook 24
A mish-mash of a side after to many late withdrawals gave us an opportunity to try some of the new and younger players on the first team stage. Superb performances from Dean Vincent and Jason Gradage seemed to show this is the way to go. Millbrook were handicapped for 20 mins following back to back sin-binnings, this proved to be the difference as we slipper from 7-24 up to the final score of 24-24. A minor injury to Alan Griffin should not stop him continuing his push for the number nine shirt this year. Scores from the following; Sonny Bedwell, Dean Weaver, Jason Gradage and 3 conversions and 1 penalty from Richard Colmer.

2nd XV report from Kevin Byatt Milbrook 37 v Ventnor 43
Millbrook 2nd XV were at home to Ventnor 2nd XV who had the courage to travel across from the Island with only nine players. We were pleased they made the effort and were happy to be in a position to give them six players to make the game a good contest. However our generosity proved to be our undoing. Our tries were spread through the team coming from M.Goodridge, D.Sales, P.Moschakis, L.Brito, G.Silverthorn, M.Colmer and Tony Ward who is leaving us for six months to work in Hong Kong. One conversion was added by D.Owens.

Saturday 16th September.
Millbrook 2nd XV were away to Southampton 2nd XV and went down 34-8. We lost a couple of key players during the week and then were let down by Ian Copland and Harry Danaher on the day. So we made the short trip with only 13 players. However we managed to convince a couple of Southampton "journeymen" to do the honourable thing and so a fair contest could ensue. We were warned that the home pack were a force to be reconed with, having taken apart Nomads first XV the week before. I'm pleased to report the Millbrook pack battled well, driving the opposition back in scrums and lineouts. Also our back division acquitted them selves well with Dominic Sales leading the tackle count. Andy Christey scored our only try, Dave Owens kicked a penalty.

23rd September
Millbrook 2nd XV were at home to Stoneham and beat the visitors 53-24
We were happy to be in a position to give our opponents three players, Crawford Dick who hooked several against the head, Luke Wilson who was responsible for most of there Lineout ball and Mike Smith who came off the wing to score their best try! But over all Millbrook were in control and were helped to victory with a try hat-trick from Full back, Dave Lamb. Ratu Degei enjoyed his first outing of the season starting in the Centre and finishing at No8 and scored a good try. Other tries came from Lewis Prowting, Alan Griffin, Gary Silverthorn, Andy Christey and Harry Danaher. Luke Farmer added three conversions and Mike Goodridge, one more. Gavin Pollock and Dean Gale made their debuts for the club, both acquitting themselves well.

30th September
Millbrook 2nd XV suffered an unfortunate loss at home to Fordingbridge 0-43. There was good reason, our backs were extremely depleted with six regulars unavailable. However players drafted in worked hard and young Jordy Coffin at scrumhalf was outstanding. In the forwards we were able to dominate the scrums and lineouts. Next time we meet, a full strength Millbrook will expect a different result.

7th October
Aldershot and Fleet V Millbrook 2 - 32-6
Millbrook were away to Aldershot and Fleet, but went down again. We were again severely depleted, particularly in the backs. However Simon Coffin made a welcome return and kicked two penalties. Morale is still high and as more players become available, things will surely improve.

14th October
Ellingham & Ringwood II 45-0 Millbrook II
Ellingham fielded a very experienced team, virtually all Vets, we were at the other end of the scale with many very young players. However there were periods of the game when we pressurised their try line, but alas, could not get the final touchdown. In the second half we lost Andy Christey and Colin Scott through injury, alowing the flood gates to open and Ellingham racked up the points.

21st October
Millbrook II 31-18 Chichester IV
Millbrook entertained Chichester in a rearranged match after Gosport & Fareham called off during the week. The game was hard fought and the teams were quite evenly matched. Indeed it was only in the last five minutes that Millbrook ran in two converted tries that tipped the balance in the score. New signing Alensome Nawaqabuli, from now on known as "Buli", scored two tries on his second team début. Also making his mark this season, Gary Silverthorn scored two tries. Dan Burlone opened his account this season with his first try, and there will surely be many more to follow from this talented young winger. Jordan Coffin added three conversions.

28th October
Millbrook ll 35-15 Paxton Pumas
A superb performance by Millbrook second XV. The game didn't look to promising when Dave Owens and Dave Geddes both let us down on the day without a call, but luck was on our side when Adrian Spafford and Mike Goodridge turned up giving us fifteen players, both making excellent contributions to the game. Our Fijian centres, Ratu and Buli were devastating and both scored tries. On the wing, Dan Burlone turned in another great performance and scored a try. Not to be outdone, Ian Copland No8, bagged a brace of tries. Andy Such also scored his first try of the season. Adrian Spafford kicked a penalty early on and new second row, Lee King showed his potential by kicking a long range conversion.

11th November
Southampton Vets 34-26 Millbrook II
This was a rearranged fixture after a cancellation by New Milton. As you would expect, the Southampton outfit were very experienced and supported each other well. Millbrooks tries were more individual and came from tenacity. Tries were scored by Tony Gale, Dave Owens, Lewis Prowting and Ian Copland. Making a very good debut for Millbrook was Mark Colmer who joined the line well from Fullback and kicked three conversions.

Havant lll 41-10 Millbrook ll
Millbrook were away to a very young Havant team, I thought it was Hampshire Under 21s. So the game went as you would expect, we were able to contain them in the forwards but struggled in the backs. we scored two tries both from periods of sustained forward pressure. Hooker, Luke Farmer crossed the line in the first half and Flanker Rob Passingham scored in the corner in the second half.

Millbrook II 10-20 Fareham Heathens II
Millbrook fought well in a surprisingly even match, considering that Heathens are flying high at the top of the merit table and Millbrook are presently nailed to the bottom. The conditions were very poor due to heavy rain and flooding. Milbrooks two tries were scored by Ratu Degei and Ian Copland. At the end of the game there was an uncharacteristic verbal outburst from Copland which was his second offence, having already been in the sin bin early on. The referee decided to send him from the field.

Tottonians II V Millbrook II
This game was abandoned after seven minutes play.
There was an off the ball incident where Tony Gale who was playing at Fly half received appalling facial injuries and was knocked unconscious. Witnesses to the incident stated that he was punched twice by a known Totton player. Tony was hospitalised by ambulance. When the ambulance crew heard how the injuries occurred they called the police. The police arrested one of the Totton players and the pitch became a crime scene making it impossible for the game to continue.
Tony recovered consciousness in hospital and was in good spirits. He was kept in over night for observation. He has sustained a badly broken nose. When interviewed by police he expressed a wish not to press charges.

Eastliegh II 19-0 Millbrook II
Millbrook were desperately short of threequarters this week, but had a glut of forwards. So it was"all hands to the pumps". Hooker, Luke Farlmer went on the wing, Prop Kev Byatt went scrumhalf and Lewis Prowting who likes to play on the flank nowadays went flyhalf. All accounted for themselves well and mixing positions like this can only help future selection issues. It was an enjoyable game and Millbrook were unlucky not to get on the score sheet as there were several periods of the game whe we had the upper hand.

Southampton V Millbrook
Yet again Millbrook were devastated by player shortages and letdowns. So much so that two front row players had to step up and fill in only an hour before kick-off. Eighteen year old hooker, Luke Farmer, made his debut and can be proud of his contribution. Next to him in the scrum, at the other end of the age scale, stalwart prop Kevin Byatt showed he can still do the business at the higher level.
Millbrook started very well and all the action was inside the Southampton 22. But alas, as has been the case in past games they had no points to show for it. Southampton then scored the first try. Millbrook hit back with two Richard Colmer penalties but still seemed to lack the killer punch. The home team scored an unconverted try and Millbrook were able to answer with a try through Dean Weaver who charged down a kick. Half time 12-11. Millbrook battled on but it was Southampton who gained the momentum and ran in two more tries and a penalty late in the game.

Millbrook 6-3 Fareham Heathens
On a day when every sensible dog in the land was laid in front of the fire, Millbrook made a great start to the New Year by beating Heathens 6-3. The weather was absolutely appalling, heavy rain and gales. All the points came from penalties and Millbrook owed a great deal to the trusty boot of Richard Colmer. Not just for his conversions, more often for his touchline clearances. Time and time again when Heathens pressured our line, he sent them back up field to the halfway. Millbrook showed fantastic team spirit and character in this game as they had several players out of position. Captain, Sonny Bedwell was welcomed back and gave a fine display at scrumhalf also Rob Passingham at blindside flanker put in numerous crunching tackles.

Millbrook second XV game was cancelled.

New Milton 10-15 Millbrook
It was a very close contested game but New Milton scored two early trys in the first half but five minutes before half time first team captain Sonny Bedwell bought Millbrook in to the game with a try to make the half time score 10-5. The second half was just as tight when captain Sonny Bedwell made an excellent pass to send Lee Davies over the line to bring it level. With fithteen minutes to go New Milton piled on the pressure but could not break Millbrooks defence when replacement Dave Owens intercepted a pass ten yards into New Miltons half to score the winning try in the last minute.


Millbrook ll 12-39 New Milton lll
It was a very disappointing game. Millbrook actually started the stronger team and even when we were a few tries down, there was still belief that we would come out on top. But alas, as the game went on we only got weaker. This was a poor performance that I would have to put down to lack of match play as we have not played since December 9th. Dave Geddes scored our first try and in the dying minutes Mark Colmer made a great individual effort to score under the posts which he converted.

Gales Hampshire Plate
Romsey 15-32 Millbrook
This was an entertaining game which saw both teams sharing the possession, but generally when Romsey had the ball in hand, they were under more pressure and therefore made more mistakes.
Millbrook opened the scoring with a Richard Colmer penalty, Romsey drew level with a penalty. Millbrook went ahead with an unconverted try from Richard Goodridge and then after another period of forward pressure, Sonny Bedwell scored in the corner. Colmer added the conversion. Romsey scored the next try, making the halftime score 8-15. Shannon Passingham came on to replace Dean Vincent and made his presence felt by scoring a good props try from three yards out. Colmer converted and then slotted another penalty. At the end Romsey rallied well and scored a last try but Millbrook answered immediately and scored their last try through Mike Phippard. Colmer converted.

Trojans 31-0 Millbrook
This was a tough away fixture for an under strength Millbrook with several key players missing. No8 Mike Mulcahy, Fly half Simon Coffin and Centre Lee Davie were all out with niggling injuries, while Front row men, Lee Taylor and Richard Goodridge were away on business. Add to this the fact that Trojans put over a hundred points on us at our last encounter and things were not looking good!
Millbrook made a terrible start and conceded a try inside the first minute, but after this wake-up call we rallied well and began to put the Trojan defences to the test. After a hard fought first half the score was 14-0. Millbrook restarted the game with more confidence. Ian Copland was unlucky not to get the touchdown after a Herculean drive for the line. Hooker Kevin Byatt, gave a master class in safe handling, catching a towering clearance kick and then beat several tackles in a high-powered dash deep into Trojan territory. But alas some great Millbrook play was undermined by some poor refereeing decisions which saw Trojans awarded 2 more tries.

Chineham II 29-42 Millbrook II
This was a very pleasing performance from Millbrook's second string who have struggled to play any rugby at all in the last two months, mainly due to Christmas and opposition cancellations. We were not at full strength and only had the bare fifteen players, unlike Chineham who seemed to have
about thirty! We fielded an experienced front row, Wayne Hobson, Kev Byatt and John Kidd, age total = 145 years. However the Man of the match
was at the other end of the age scale, seventeen year old Richard Colmer who played at Full back. He ran the length of the pitch to score a try and
also kicked a faultless six out of six conversions. Another player stood out, and making a welcome return was Winger Tony Ward who scored two tries. Other tries were added by Dave Lamb, Doug Nicholls and Ian Copland.

Millbrook II 8-34 Havant III
Millbrook made a fantastic start scoring a try in the first seconds of the game when the ball was hacked up field from the kick-off. Gary Silverthorn was first to react and dived in for the touch down. But from then on it was Havant who were in the ascendancy and they went on to score six tries. The wet conditions kept handling moves to a minimum. Mark Colmer scored a penalty in the second half.

Ellingham & Ringwood 24-3 Millbrook

Millbrook could only manage a Richard Colmer penalty in this "must win game" against Ellingham. Although the teams seemed evenly matched, it was only the Ellingham back division that were able to conjure up an overlap, a feet they managed on several occasions, scoring from it twice. Two other tries were scored from driving play through the pack.

Millbrook II V Ellingham & Ringwood II
Ellingham made late cancellation.

Millbrook 17-17 Farnborough
Fordingbridge II 45-20 Millbrook II

Fordingbridge opened the scoring with a couple of early tries but Millbrook were not down hearted and hit back with two penalties converted by Mark Colmer. Later in the half Millbrook were pressurising their opponents line and then finally span the ball out wide to see winger David Baldaccino score the try. Colmer converted. Half time score 14-13.
Fordingbridge made three replacements at half time strengthening their team. They scored three tries in the third quarter which stunned the Millbrook team, but in the last quarter Millbrook rallied well to stop the onslaught. The Millbrook pack won plenty of ball and centre Ratu Degei made countless crashing runs into the opposing defences finally scoring the last try of the game. Colmer converted keeping a 100% kicking record. This was an excellent game, much closer than the score would suggest.

Millbrook II 19-50 Portsmouth III

Millbrook started well, opening the scoring with a try by scrumhalf Jordy Coffin. Portsmouth were quick to answer and used their bigger and more experienced pack to batter their way through. The star for Millbrook was new centre Lewis Braughty, who scored two tries in only his second game. Mark Colmer added the conversions. Another player to stand out was winger Scott White, who made an excellent debut.

Millbrook II 10-43 Tottonians III
24~3~07
Generally an enjoyable game played in good spirit. Totts did seem to have the ability to work the overlap and used it to good advantage. Millbrook scored two tries, the first from Danny Moore, the second from Mike Mulcahy who, in the autumn of his career is helping out the second team. Fullback Mark Colmer had a quiet game with the boot but made up for it with several good runs with the ball in hand.

Gosport & Fareham III 60-0 Millbrook II
A very disappointing afternoon. We were let down by two players on the day but managed to pick up a couple to replace them. We were out gunned in every area but I am sure it was an unusually strong Gosport team because they have only won one other game all season. Never mind, onwards and upwards.

Saturday 7th April
Millbrook"A" 26 - 20 Ollerton
We were delighted this week to pick up a late fixture against Ollerton R.F.C. who were on an Easter tour from Nottingham. The game was played in excellent spirit, well maintained by referee Mr Griffin. Millbrook opened the scoring with the first of two tries by "Buli"swiftly followed by scrumhalf Alan Griffin. Ollerton hit back and took the lead scoring four tries. But Millbrook had the last say when Ratu Degei brushed all aside and scored a terrific winning try. Mark Colmer Kicked three conversions.

14-April-07
Millbrook II 25-37 Eastleigh II
A very enjoyable game played at a good tempo in extremely warm conditions. The advantage swung both ways with each team taking the lead. Millbrook centre Lewis Doughty scored a brace of tries with Tony Gale standing in at flyhalf also crossing the line. Mark Colmer had another good game with the boot kicking two conversions and two penalties.

Saturday 21st April
Millbrook Vets 32-20 Southampton Vets
A wonderful day with perfect conditions played in great spirit by both teams made this a game to remember. There was also a large crowd to enjoy the spectacle which is expected to be Mike Mulcahy's last game due to heart surgery this week.
Millbrook scored six tries spread through the team, one of course by No8 Mike Mulcahy who was uncharacteristically hanging out of the action on the wing and managed to stroll over for an easy touchdown. Adrian Spafford rolled back the years when he cut back inside with a side step that left the Southampton back row for dead and scored a lovely try. Dave Owens ran the length of the field for his try while Ian Copland dummied the post to make his two yard gain. Also adding to the tally was Jim Brown and Mike Goodridge. Alan Day kicked one conversion.