Imperial 2’s 26 - 51 Nailsea & Backwell 2’s
This week N&B travelled to Imperial for the return League game expecting a battle after last years Pink Ladies Day narrow home win.
As expected the match started at a frantic pace. N&B took an early lead when Imps threw crooked at a line out on their own line. From the ensuing scrum, N&B pushed the larger pack backwards allowing Number 8, Greg Appleby, to dot down.
However, Imps hit straight back when confusion arose from the blue markings on a previous football pitch, allowing a equalising try in the corner.
N&B quickly gained territory into the Imps half, and when the Referee adjudged foul play, Cory Love took the initiative to tap quick and offload to Sam Bigley. Under pressure, Bigley passed onto Reece Hulland who scored the try. Bigley added the extras.
Shortly after, N&B went further ahead. From a secured scrum, Fly Half Bigley kicked wide straight into the hands of the on-rushing Adam Weavers. Weavers outpaced the defence to score under the posts with Bigley again adding the extras.
The strong Imps Forwards never gave up and from a scrum crashed through the middle for a converted try.
N&B then hit back again. After an Imperial infringement, Bigley kicked the penalty to move further ahead. Imperial again came back when strong scrummaging allowed them possession out wide to score a converted try.
Then came the move of the half.... N&B secured scrum ball and Bigley set the backs off. Cory Love passed onto Hulland whose sublime hands found Weavers who drew the Full Back before setting Dan Caie away. However, Imps defence forced the inside pass to the supporting Weavers to score his second try.
With minutes remaining Corey Dougal collected a stray clearance, running it open and setting up a Caie try for a 32-19 Half-Time lead.
With the game still in the balance, N&B knew a strong start would force Imperial errors. N&B kept the game tight, pressurising the tiring Imps pack and this finally told when Man of the Match, Tom Giltrow, crashed over for a try which was converted by Bigley.
Although the match was now out of Imps sight, they rallied for one last converted try out wide.
This only charged up N&B, and Fly Half, Sam Bigley, rounded the match off with two tries of his own. Firstly, he grubber kicked through the midfield to dot down under the posts, adding the conversion. Bigley then ended the game with a nice show and go to score in the corner for a 51-26 Bonus Point Win.
This was a proper game of Rugby with both sides attacking each other at will. Imperial should hold their heads high with a strong performance but this was N&B at their best. Fitness and team effort was rewarded. This was arguably N&B’s performance of the season. Defence was solid, and team spirit on a high, with everyone supporting each other in both attack and defence.
