Veseyans were in cup action at the weekend with a home semi-final in the North Mids Shield against fellow league opponents Edwardians. In the league encounter at the start of the season Ed's won a close affair so another close, competitive game was expected this time around.
V's choose to play up hill in first half and early pressure lead to a penalty slotted by Matt Gillick. This was quickly followed by Jon Fellows try out wide after some great phase play by the V's forwards and backs. Ed's then managed to have a period of pressure themselves but the V's defence stood firm and repelled attack after attack. Without about 10mins of the half to go V's managed to get back down to the Edwardians 22 and from a lineout 5metres out the V's pack did a simple catch and drive and powered over the line; Jeff Large at the back and touching down. On the stroke of half time, a poor kick chase out of defence allowed the Edwardians backs to move the ball and score in the righthand corner to make the half time score 13-5 to V's.
In the second half, with the slope in their favour the V's went straight on the attack and from an attacking scrum, following a couple of phases out wide Centre Dan Lock powered over in the corner. 18-5.
This was quickly followed up with a try for JRG from a lineout in the 22. Earlier in the match Edwardians caught the V's out by not competing at a lineout and V's being penalised for accidental offside from the driving maul. Acute to this high risk defensive approach by Ed's once Josh landed after catching the lineout he just turned and ran through a non existent defence to score an easy try. 23-5. The game got a little fractious during the middle of the 2nd half but neither side had any real pressure on the oppositions try line. V's rounded the match off on the attack and with the clock in the red were awarded a penalty 5m out. They choose the scrum with No.8 Courtney Cummings picking up and powering over. The final try was converted by Matt Gillick leaving the final score 30-5. This means V's can look forward to defending the Shield they won last year in the final at the end of the season.
Image credit: David Hateley
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