Another packed week for the Marlow sides, again battling against not only their opponents but difficult weather conditions as well. This weeks includes all Marlow Rugby sides in action, tough fixtures for the Marlow Hockey teams and Marlow FC continuing their league campaign.
If you have any sports stories you want to share, match results or feel your club should be included in the roundup next week, email: ben.dawson@mymarlow.co.uk
RUGBY
Marlow Men’s 1st XV
Jamie Maddern, playing in his first game of the season for Marlow set the tempo for a Marlow side that defied the elements and played open running Rugby. In wet, windy and bitterly cold conditions the scene was set perfectly for a game of forward dominated close quarter rugby.
Marlow were having none of this and through their play-maker Maddern were taking every opportunity to run the ball and be expansive. Bicester also played their part to put on an entertaining game with both sets of forwards evenly matched throughout. Whilst both Bicester tries came from tight forward play going through the phases, Marlow matched them in this department with driving efforts finished off by prop Eddy Smyth and Number 8, James Branch.
Jamie Maddern, created the moment of magic as he set off on a jinking run from between his own 22 and the half way line. Once he broke the gain line, the Bicester defence was chasing shadows and he finished off under the posts. Pushing for the bonus point try, Marlow spread the ball wide to the wing for hooker Stuart Silvester to pop up and find an almost unnatural turn of speed to round the Bicester left wing and score in the corner.
Marlow were equally adept in defence as attack with notable performances coming from the wrecking ball that is Bruno Renucci, a commanding performance in the front row from Chris Clark and the towering Ben Smith in the line-out. The matched ending, Marlow 30 – 12 Bicester, a well deserved win for Marlow.
Marlow Men’s 2nd XV
Marlow travelled to Faringdon for the first early kick-off of the season. With a squad of just 15, Marlow were first out of the blocks and after a couple of dominating scrums, were first on the score board with a try by Toby Turner, converted by Alexi Hickin.
The foul weather meant lots of close play with Marlow having territory but not turning this into points. On the rare occasion that Faringdon got into the Marlow 22m, they won a lineout and scored a good try in the 38th minute, and the conversion made it 7 -7 at half time.
A half time pep talk laid down the plan for the next half and both sides played a lot of rugby around the Faringdon 10 metre line.
An injury sustained by Dominic Morel left Marlow down to 14 men for the remaining 20 minutes.
Sustained pressure at the scum kept the opposition out but a break and a momentary lapse of concentration saw Marlow give away a converted penalty. 10-7, a score that remained at the final whistle.
Marlow Men’s 3rd XV
Marlow 3rd XV played in horrendous conditions as they took on Bracknell 4s. Faced with heavy wind, torrential rain and playing up hill in ankle deep mud, this was no easy task for either side.
After a first shot at goal Bracknell never looked like scoring – but Marlow took until late in the first half to get on the score sheet. With a scrum winning ball against the head and clearly in the ascendancy it seemed like the most likely way for points to be scored. A scrum 8 metres out resulted in a push over try. Tremelling dotting down only to find the ref had decided upon a penalty try and Marlow were 7-0 up, and the manager was off the score sheet. Great news on both counts.
The second half was different. Marlow put good narrow phases together and it wasn’t long before Raithby-Veall was over, followed by Simpson and Dore. A bonus point was in the bag. At this point the light levels dipped somewhat and the game was brought to an end. Played with great spirit from both sides, in atrocious conditions – the second half even included Leggett, loaned to Bracknell from Marlow, putting in a try saving tackle for his adopted team; on a dismal day a shining example of how great the sport can be.
Marlow Ladies XV
Marlow Ladies continued their amazing start the season with a third win on the bounce in the driving rain at Marlow Rugby Club vs Hackney Ladies.
Hackney arrived having yet to lose a game, expecting to continue that record at Marlow. Hackney were surprised however, by the strength and resilience of Marlow defence and were on the back foot for much of the latter part of the half. Marlow had much of the attacking play but despite this dominance, struggled to find the final few yards to get points on the board. The half ended with neither side registering a score.
As the second half got underway, Marlow continued to have the upper hand, quickly gaining territory and putting pressure on the Hackney defence. Within 5 metres of their own try line, the referee penalised Hackney for offside. They then failed to reform their defence quick enough to stop Laura Marks taking the penalty quickly and breaking through their line to score Marlow’s first points of the day.
Players on both sides started to feel the effects of the wintery conditions and accurately passing the ball became more and more difficult. Marlow quickly adapted to this, switching tactics to a more forward dominated game. This paid off soon after with the forwards able to push within 5 metres of the Hackney line, allowing Kerryn Newman to pick and drive the final yards to score Marlow’s second and final try.
This game was another great showcase for Women’s Rugby and continues a miraculous turnaround for Marlow Ladies, who now have 3 wins from 5, and are now only second to High Wycombe in the league.
HOCKEY
Marlow Men’s teams
Marlow Men’s 1s met Aylesbury at RAF Halton in awful weather which really limited the quality of hockey on show. They dominated possession and squandered a large amount of chances to score from poor execution due to the conditions. The two players who did manage to find the net were Matt Ashton and Lewis Goodman and under the circumstances were happy to win 2-1 and move second in the table.
The Men’s 2nds put up a fine performance against top of the league Sonning 1sts. They were 2-0 up inside 15 minutes and looking well in control, James Ashburner opening the scoring with a calm finish. However, they missed chances to put the game out of Sonning’s reach and allowed them to peg a goal back just before halftime. In the second half Marlow lost composure and lapses in concentration allowed Sonning two quick goals. taking them into the lead. They later scored twice more to go 4-2 up. But Marlow dug in and managed to find two more goals by James Ashburner and Dan Field in sealing a point at 4-4 with two minutes on the clock.
Other men’s results: –
- Marlow 3s drew 1-1 away with Amersham 2s
- Marlow 4s lost 4-2 against Gerrards Cross 1s
- Marlow 5s lost 2-0 away to Phoenix and Ranelagh 2s
- Marlow 6s drew 1-1 with OMT4
- The Strollers (veterans) lost 2-1 at Sunbury
Marlow Ladies’ results
The Ladies 1s were at home to Teddington Ladies 1s They started positively and were rewarded after Jane Smith passed the ball across to Lana Wallis to open the scoring. Marlow had numerous other chances in the first half but were unable to capitalise on them.
Teddington were more focused in the second half and scored two goals to take the lead. Marlow continued to pressure and earned a penalty corner which Jo Cox deflected into the net. Both teams had further chances, but the score remained 2-2.
Marlow Ladies 2s faced a derby game away to Maidenhead Ladies 2s and came away with a point from 0-0 draw.
Ladies 3s faced a tough trip away to Trysports Premier 2 league leaders Sonning Ladies 2s and were defeated 4-0.
Marlow Ladies 4s hosted Trysports Division 1 leaders Windsor Ladies 1s, and after three defeats in a row needed to take some points from this game. They stepped up to the challenge and playing some impressive hockey took the lead through junior Alba Braybrooke. The Windsor team were obviously rattled and responded with a goal from a well worked penalty corner. However, Marlow were not finished and claimed victory through a goal by Amelie Fitzpatrick.
Ladies 5s were home to Oxford Hawks 6s, two goals from Sarah Perks saw them claim their 5th win in a row and see them sitting 3rd in Division 3.
Marlow Ladies 6s were away to Thame Ladies 4s, a hat trick from Sarah Maddern and a goal from Emma Kellway resulted in a comfortable 4-0 victory. The Ladies 6s beat Thame 4s 4-0 and are sitting comfortably at the top of Division 7.
FOOTBALL
Marlow FC
Marlow FC had another player sent off as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by struggling Ashford Town (Middlesex).
The Blues fell behind in the 13th minute to Daniel Brown’s strike but levelled matters on the stroke of half-time through Curtis Ujah.
But their hopes of going on to pick up three valuable points were dashed when Jordan Brown was shown a second yellow card in the 66th minute.
The draw leaves Marlow 12th in the Isthmian League South Central Division ahead of next Saturday’s trip to Chipstead.