Warriors 95 Barnstaple 8

By Darren Hands
October 21 2006

Sila plays 40 minutes and scores a hat trick. With a field full of tries Jake Childs also score a hat trick in this rearranged match.

 

Westcountry Warriors 95 – Barnstaple 8 

A late change to the opposition (it was supposed to be London Scottish being entertained by the Warriors today) and windy conditions did not spoil the entertainment for the 100 or so supporters who turned up to see the Warriors outclass their guests from North Devon. 

It was not the chance to see the Albion first XV depart for Nottingham that brought some of the supporters out but probably the chance to get a first look at Tongan international Sila Va’enuku. 

From the opening moments of the game, it could be told that the wind would make kicking for touch very difficult but on 4 minutes, the Warriors opened up their account with Matt Newman scoring a push over try following a line out close to the Barnstaple line. Dan Hawkes missed the conversion – 5-0 to the Warriors. 

Two minutes later, following a good move across the width of the pitch, full-back Steve Johns made it 10-0 (the conversion again being missed).

Shortly afterwards on 8 minutes, a defensive lapse by the Warriors allowed Barnstaple back in the game but like the Warriors first two tries, Barnstaple missed the conversion. 10-5 to the Warriors. 

On 14 minutes, Va’enuku opened his account following some good work by the Warriors forwards on a Barnstaple scrum. 15-5 to the Warriors. 

At this stage it was still quite a close game and the Warriors allowed Barnstaple to add to their earlier score with a penalty on 19 minutes. 

It was not to stay 15-8 for long. Barnstaple made a mistake on their own lineout at the Warriors forwards made them pay with Jacob Childs going in under the posts. Dan Hawkes made not mistake this time with the conversion – 22 – 8 to the Warriors.

The Warriors were by now well in command and straight from the re-start, Tom Arscott made a break before passing to Jacob Childs 22 yards out for another try. Hawkes again converts – 29-8 

Barnstaple did not let their heads drop and still pushed forward although much to their coaches frustration, just as they got close to the Warriors line, instead of keeping the ball in hand, they kept trying little grubber kicks or chips which the Warriors were able to clear without much problem. 

On the half hour, Tom Arscott made yet another break with good support from Ben Rowntree who popped the ball up just shy of the line to Va’enuku who made no mistake in scoring his second try of the afternoon. Two minutes later, Matt Newman makes a break before passing to Va’enuku who makes it a hat-trick of tries on his Warriors debut and the score 43-8. 

On 40 minutes, Tom Arscott scores another converted try to make it 50-8 and with half time approaching the Warriors make another break and add another 5 points before the ref blows for half time. Half time score Warriors 55 Barnstaple 8. 

Come the start of the second half, the Warriors do not let up and on 45 minutes, Gareth Evans goes over to add to the score. Arscott and Va’enuku are then substituted. Va’nuku holding an ice bag (suggesting the substitution was a precautionary measure), remarks that he enjoyed his first run out Brickfields. 

Matt Newman adds to the score on 50 minutes to make it 69 – 8 and then on the hour replacement Rob Bowles makes it 76 – 8. 

Still the Warriors are not finished and Gareth Evans goes over again on 65 minutes followed by W Gingwell on 69 minutes. Frazer Cliverds’ converted try on 71 minutes made it 95 – 8 to the Warriors. 

Although there were to be no more points scored, there was still more action in dying the minutes. The Warriors were awarded a lineout close to their line but due to some indiscipline a penalty was awarded to Barnstaple. A quick tap penalty resulted with the ball being spun out across the length of the pitch but a fumbled pass gave the ball to the Warriors who almost ran the length of the pitch but with the 100 point mark looming and with a man over the final pass was found wanting and with the knock on the referee, Mr N. Boyd, blew up to save Barnstaple any more agony. 

To be fair to Barnstaple, they did step in at quite a late time so that the Warriors had a game but they did find themselves in quite literally a different league. They did not let their heads drop though and if it was not for the difference in fitness levels and tactical decision making they may have scored more than the 8 points that they did. 

Yet again, Tom Arscott had an impressive game (until being subbed) and certainly with Albion Director of Rugby, Graham Dawe playing the whole game rather than travelling up with the first team, Tom did his chances of a first team recall no harm at all. New signing Sila Va’enuku looked sharp going forward and looks like he could cause Graham a few selection headaches once up to speed. Overall a very good clinical team performance from the Warriors. The only concern relates to the Warriors Number 2 – is he good enough to play at this level? (Apologies Graham – that was said very much tongue in cheek).

 

Scorers :- Tries Frazer Clilverd 2x Gareth Evans 3x Jake Childs 2x Matt Newman Rob Boles 3x Sila Va'Enuku Steve Johns Tom Arscott Will Gingwell Conversions 9x Dan Hawkes Will Gingwell