College rugby: Derwent 48-0 Vanbrugh

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Photos: Tom Wooldridge

Vanbrugh college were outdone by an unusually disorderly Derwent side, the latter team running eight tries past the former.

Vanbrugh were unfortunately unable to field a full team, and had only ten players at their disposal. Derwent, however, shirked any possibility of discontinuing the match and, in the spirit of college competition, bestowed some of their players upon the Vanbrugh side.

This Vanbrugh-Derwent hybrid posed the biggest challenge in Derwent’s campaign to retain the college title – Derwent having won their last two matches convincingly – and looked solid for much of the match.

The damp and somewhat marshy conditions were by no means favourable to seamless, dexterous rugby. Play, especially around the forward-ridden contact areas, was untidy to say the least, and knock-ons were not lacking in the seemingly butter-fingered backlines.

The initial ten minutes of the match comprised of fast-paced yet inept play from both sides – often broken up by a knock-on, offside or a similar careless blunder in these inhospitable playing conditions. It was the fire-maned Derwent second-row, Luca Illing, who scored the first of many for his college, orchestrating a splendid solo-effort from about 40 metres out. Conversion missed by Philip Hammick.

Vanbrugh were quick to pressure Derwent at kick-off though, securing possession in Derwent’s 22. Possession continued to alternate between the two teams, again due to the frequent mistakes committed. Derwent winger, Alex Sankey, made a powerful run but regrettably dropped for a knock-on. This was followed by Chris Judge, Derwent captain, being cautioned for an illegal tackle.

Derwent thought they had scored yet again when George Lywood touched down after another exemplary solo run; the ref, however, denied Derwent this try, George ostensibly having knocked the ball on.

Some lacklustre attacking play from Derwent and the dogged, resilient defensive efforts of Vanbrugh meant that the score remained a stubborn 5-0 up until the last few minutes leading up to half-time. Derwent managed to score in the last play before the break, flanker Joshua Clewes receiving an intelligent offload from dependable scrumhalf Cameron Strange. This time converted by Hammick.

Following the intermission, the match’s momentum and quality of play undoubtedly picked up, with Vanbrugh’s Ian Taylor almost producing a try with a deft pass to winger Sam Thorpe-Spinks, only just tackled by talismanic veteran, Ed Kemp; Derwent’s fullback. Kemp then went on to add one more to the Derwent score sheet, displaying another dazzling solo run.

What followed was a further spate of tries for Derwent: Sankey receiving a well-judged pass from centre, Alex Cochrane-Dyet, to cross the line in the corner, and Hammick adding another 7 points, converting his own try after a surging rush forward.

Some solid lineout balls were also provided by Derwent hooker, William Orchard, who, shortly after, received an offload from captain, Judge, and scored his first try for Derwent, powering through the remaining of the Vanbrugh defence in his path.

Josh Kalsi, a Derwent back lent to the Vanbrugh side, also impressed with his ability to rob possession in a hard-fought maul situation. Tom Frost, Vanbrugh’s captain and number 8, similarly had an inspired game, often disrupting Derwent ruck and maul play. Vanbrugh seemed especially adept at pilfering the ball from the occasionally inattentive opposition and consequently slowing play down, something Derwent hadn’t encountered greatly in their previous 2 games.

Derwent’s forward-pod system was ultimately successful for much of the second half, Clewes exploiting some space in the Vanbrugh defence after another pass from Strange and crossing the try-line for his second try of the match.

Captain Judge ended the game in emphatic fashion, cruising through the Vanbrugh opposition like a hot knife through butter to finish on a high-note, resulting in a final score of 48-0, after Hammick’s successful conversion.

Tom Frost commented on the tough fixture, also admonishing other colleges, “Today’s game was certainly difficult. Derwent were definitely well-drilled, but as a forward speaking to other colleges, they are by no means unbeatable.” Judge had something to say about his team’s somewhat lackadaisical approach to today’s encounter, “It was a physical, well-fought game. We had a disappointing first-half, but learnt a few lessons from it. A few things definitely need tightening up. Also this was a very impressive Vanbrugh side.’