Blandford 27-12 Avonvale: Blandford earn first win since promotion

AVONVALE 12

BLANDFORD claimed their first victory since promotion back to the Counties One Tribute Southern South with a 27-12 win over Avonvale at Larksmead.

With rugby union officials agreeing to permit play in the aftermath of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, an immaculately observed minute's silence was served by players, officials and the crowd.

When play began Avonvale, who were wearing the inside-out white version of their kit due to a clash with Blandford's red strip, started the better side as Blandford struggled early on.

Avonvale won two penalties in three minutes at the breakdown, the second of which led to the game's opening try.

READ MORE: North Dorset 24-27 Dorchester - match report

Avonvale kicked the second penalty into touch and although Marc Ricketts stole the line-out Avonvale were soon pressing and created a turnover.

Fast hands outside on the left wing then allowed Avonvale winger Morgan Williams to score, converted superbly out wide by Avonvale’s Hayden Rogers for 7-0.

Avonvale continued their domination until the 20-minute mark when Mark Mitchell’s excellent carry ignited the hosts.

Although no points were gleaned from Mitchell’s gain, Blandford began to get a foothold in the match with successive line-outs.

After the second was spilled, Avonvale conceded the put-in at a scrum which led to more Blandford gains upfield as Matthew Knight’s sharp offload to Philip Papworth helped gulp up 20 metres before Dave Mitchell was bundled into touch.

From the resulting line-out, Blandford won the aerial contest and plundered forward as Avonvale defended desperately to twice hold the hosts up on the line.

However, Blandford were not to be denied at the third phase as the ball was recycled to the right when Charlie Lacey collected possession, jinked inside and scored.

Ryan Boardwell added the conversion to level the score but more Blandford pressure was to come as Ricketts’ break took the hosts into Avonvale’s 22 before Dave Mitchell was once more pushed into touch.

Blandford won a cheap penalty when Avonvale’s line-out was pulled up for a wonky throw and Boardwell broke the line before winning and kicking a penalty 15 metres out for 10-7.

Blandford were now firmly on top and Brett Pointing embarked on a surging run past halfway, only for Avonvale to force a turnover and find touch to invite the half-time whistle.

Blandford and Avonvale players observe a minute's silence after Queen Elizabeth II's death (Image: KIRSTY VAN DEURS GOSS)

Avonvale were on the receiving end of another bruising run by Mark Mitchell six minutes after the restart, resorting to a high tackle and subsequent penalty.

Drama was to follow as Boardwell kicked against the bar and Luke Stacey reacted quickest before Rob Oliver surged forward.

With a try a distinct possibility, Lacey then spilled to force a scrum from which Avonvale sliced the clearance kick, setting up another Blandford attack.

Jason Booth produced a stunning aerial catch over his shoulder and the hosts’ backs connected well only for Dave Mitchell to drop Boardwell’s pass with a clear passage to the try line beckoning.

Avonvale gave a brief reminder of their threat as Nicholas Wadland had to be alert to meet a stunning break and block a kick forward before Dave Mitchell cleared.

It did not take Blandford long to create their next move as a penalty was booted into touch and heavy pressure after the line-out gave Oliver Richardson the chance to score, only to dart down a blind alley and sustain a turnover at the breakdown.

Avonvale were penalised for another high tackle after Lacey could not capitalise on the advantage and went off with an apparent ankle injury, his pain soothed somewhat by Boardwell kicking the penalty for 13-7.

Blandford suffered another injury when Pointing was injured in the process of making a bustling run.

When play resumed the home side had their third try when a move from flank to flank created space for Booth to score, Boardwell providing the assist and the conversion for 20-7.

Avonvale woke from their attacking slumber on 75 minutes when a speedy break produced a one-on-one, Wadland then grateful to mop up and locate touch after a chip forward had too much pace on it.

From the line-out, Avonvale’s maul tired the home defence and a dazzling, low cross-field kick picked out Elliott Crabbe to catch magnificently and touch down in the same diving motion for a stunning try and arguably the move of the match.

Rogers missed the conversion but Angus Hogg’s miscontrol with his foot after the restart enabled Avonvale to gain 20 metres, only for a poor pass to ruin a promising move.

However, Blandford fittingly had the final say in added time, whizzing the ball through the hands after Hogg’s incisive run.

Tom Davis-Richings offloaded cleverly to Owain Cork who scored in the corner to earn a bonus point, Boardwell then converting for 27-12 with the final kick of the game.

Blandford face a Dorset derby at unbeaten Dorchester on Saturday.