Welcome to this week’s roundup, which includes details of the few Hockey matches which were able to take place due to the frosty conditions, Marlow 1st XV’s match against Wallingford, Marlow FC’s game against Waltham Abbey and Marlow United’s face off against Risborough Rangers.
If you have any sports stories you want to share, match results, feel your club should be included or know of someone who deserves a mention in the roundup next week, email me: ben.dawson@mymarlow.co.uk
HOCKEY
Marlow Men’s teams
The 2s travelled to Reading in one of the few fixtures to survive the freeze. Reading dominated possession initially, but it was Marlow who opened the scoring, courtesy of a well taken penalty corner from Connor Tierney. But a combination of basic errors, a well taken penalty corner and too much time questioning the umpire allowed Reading to bounce back to 3-1 up at half-time.
Coach Ollie Willars gave an impassioned team talk during the break. His wise words appeared to have an impact and Marlow were a different team in the second half, dominating possession and winning a number of penalty corners, finished by Ollie Cardinouche and Tierney. In the blink of an eye it was 3-3. Reading fought back and a tense ten minutes followed as both sides sought to wrest control. But it was Marlow who made the breakthrough, with Tom Lilley putting the ball in the net from a penalty corner. Will Hunter tucked another penalty corner away before Cadinouche scored from open play to make the final score 3-6 to Marlow.
Other Men’s results: –
- Marlow 3s drew 0-0 with Ashford 3s away
- Marlow 5s lost 3-1 away at Amersham & Chalfont 3s
Other Ladies’ results: –
- Ladies 3s drew 2-2 with Oxford 3s
- Ladies 4s beat Oxford University 3s 4-2
- Ladies 6s beat Wycombe 6s 5-1
RUGBY
Marlow Men’s 1st XV
Looking to backup a strong win last week away at Stow-on-the-Wold, Marlow hosted Wallingford aiming for a reverse of the heavy defeat suffered to them earlier in the season.
Wallingford started strongly, camping in the Marlow half for the 1st ten minutes of the game as Marlow struggled to clear their lines. It was a robust defensive shift from the home team though and they were eventually able to work their way up the pitch.
It took until the first quarter of the match was almost over before any points were registered, and the 1st try came in the form of a flowing Marlow three-quarters move off the back of a scrum that ultimately put the flying debutant Ollie Kemp over in the corner.
It only took a few more minutes for Marlow to register their second, as captain Hugo Jafari cut inside and danced around multiple defenders to score in the corner. Marlow were unlucky not to score after another flowing backs move and offload from Kemp resulted in the ball being held up over the line. But Marlow were not to be denied, and a strong scrum resulted in an easy pushover try for No.8 Alex Spicer who controlled the ball well to make it 3 tries with 30 minutes gone.
Marlow were now chasing a bonus point, and a rushed clearance from Wallingford gave Marlow the opportunity of an attacking lineout on the Wallingford 22. A well worked lineout move drew the defenders in and opened up a gap in the defensive line for George Jafari to storm through, Christian Witney added the extras to leave it 22-0 at half time.
Wallingford came out strongly at the beginning of the 2nd half, denying Marlow possession and ultimately scoring their own try, courtesy of a series of pick and goes on the Marlow line. Marlow failed to score any more points but they also prevented Wallingford from any further opportunities due to great team defence and game management from Hugo Jafari. With thanks to a series of key Marlow injuries, Marlow stalwart Will Reynolds, who is used to playing in the pack, was seen out on the wing, complete with lifting blocks and taped ears.
The match finished 22-7 to Marlow, who will be pleased to record two wins on the bounce as well as overturning the disappointment of the loss to Wallingford earlier in the season.
Check out the selection of photos below, courtesy of Ian Branch:
Marlow’s form is good ahead of the trip to League Leaders, Witney, at the weekend.
Other Men’s results: –
- Bicester 2nd XV 12 – 15 Marlow 2nd XV
- Marlow 3rd XV 17 – 20 Phoenix 2nd XV
FOOTBALL
Marlow FC
A goalless draw for Marlow at home on Saturday against Waltham Abbey leaves the Blues in 16th place in the BetVictor Isthmian South Central Division on 26 points.
Marlow United
Marlow United faced a tough fixture on Saturday against the unbeaten league leaders, Risborough Rangers. Marlow were not able to stop Risborough running away with all three points and extending their league lead. The final score Risborough Rangers 3 – 0 Marlow United
