Weymouth's Twickers dream is shattered (From Dorset Echo)

Weymouth's Twickers dream is shattered

8:43am Monday 13th February 2012 in Rugby By Ky Capel

WEYMOUTH 14 DRIFTERS 22

WEYMOUTH’S Twickenham dream is at an end – despite a spirited fight-back at Monmouth Avenue.

The South West Cup semi-final was effectively won in the first 25 minutes as higher-ranked Drifters opened up a 19-point cushion following an impressive start to proceedings.

A successful penalty widened the gap and although Gareth Iles and Ian MacConnachie both touched down for the hosts at the end of each half, the damage was already done.

Coach Chris Plummer, taking the reins in the absence of head coach Paul Harding, was gracious in defeat.

He said: “They were a good side, take nothing away from them, and on the day they were worth their win.

“They put us under a lot of pressure in the first half, which we didn’t handle as well as we should’ve done. We made some silly mistakes, which cost us tries, but full credit to the players as they came out for the second half and did a really good job.

“It was an excellent second half and I thought we showed a lot of character in that second half.

“The early sin-bin destroyed our rhythm and we also sustained two injuries that required ambulances, which didn’t help either.”

Props Tim Comben and Max Vallance both left the field in an ambulance with neck and ankle injuries respectively.

Plummer added: “We think it was a precautionary measure for Tim but Max is probably more serious as that could be a potential broken ankle.”

Weymouth were facing an uphill task after just six minutes.

Early pressure from the visitors came to a head when the ball was worked out to the right and Alex Rankin offloaded to Matty White, who darted inside his man before diving over.

Mark Bannister added the extras and it got worse for the hosts when Vallance was yellow-carded after the restart.

Capitalising on their numerical advantage, Drifters crossed the line once again with Rankin grounding the ball after latching on to his own grubber kick. Bannister converted for a second time and the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Premier outfit led by 14 points.

Vallance returned to the field but the visitors remained on the front foot.

And as the Weymouth players switched off, a quickly taken penalty allowed Aidan Thomas to cross in the corner.

Bannister was unable to add the extras from out wide but he did dispatch a penalty 11 minutes later.

Weymouth were now staring down the barrel but they responded in fine fashion – Iles scoring a try, which Nick Sheppard converted, in the last action of the half.

The score gave the home side renewed belief and they took the game to their opponents in the second half.

But the away side stood firm under mounting pressure, until MacConnachie touched down in added time.

Sheppard’s boot was reliable once more but it proved little more than a consolation for the beaten hosts, who can now turn their attentions to maintaining their spot at the Dorset & Wilts One South summit.

Plummer said: “The good thing to come out of it is that we can now focus entirely on the league. Good luck to Drifters in the next round, they were a good outfit and they played some good rugby.”

Weymouth: Comben (Merritt 76), Leach (Keeble-Kinsella 68), Vallance (Oakford 62), Gelderd, Mason (Robinson 41), Charles (Murphy 68), Hamlin, J Quick, Barter, Sheppard, MacConnachie, Iles (Dean 80+3), Gibson (Westwood 73), W Quick, Hoxey.