St Mary’s capped off a great season with an ultimately convincing win over Bristol Saracens by 29 – 22 in the Butcombe-sponsored Bristol Combination Vase at a packed Lockleaze Sports Centre.
Before the game, club legend Marcus ‘Village’ Jenkins led out the men in green and black to mark his 500+ senior appearances and his last competitive game before retiring from playing at the end of the season.
Although Mary’s had already beaten Sarries twice in the league campaign, they were a different and highly motivated proposition spurred on by a record crowd, including many old boys from Saracens who were dressed up for their annual awards dinner scheduled immediately after the game.
The second half saw Mary’s start to exert more control through their forwards, and the kicking of centre Robbie Woodward. Key breaks in the backs by Adam Wilkins and Jordan Sheppard stretched the Saracens defence and their players started to tire, and a couple of yellow cards didn’t help. Mary’s played with width and composure, a credit to the coaching of Ed Smith and Ryan Price and the crowd were delighted when Club Captain Andy Plummer raced over for a try in the corner, on the same ground that saw him rupture his Cruciate ligament two years previously.
A great result and end to a successful season for St Mary’s – we are recruiting for next season across all playing groups, men and women as well as minis and juniors, so come along and join our thriving successful family. Pre-season training starts on July 4 – in the meantime, if you want to join us please contact our Director of Rugby Keith at keithwilko@hotmail.com
Report by Steve Cooke, Chairman of St Mary’s OB RFC
Photo courtesy of Rob Wilkins
St Mary’s win Bristol Combination Vase
