20th October 2007
Verwood reversed their recent run of disappointing form with a fine display from both forwards and backs running in a total of 11 tries against bottom of the table Stoneham for whom it is likely to be a long and tiresome season ahead judging by their performance. There is not doubt that Stoneham are missing their maverick scrum half Andy Stride.
The highlight of the afternoon was to see second row Darren Clarbull, with over 500 club games for Verwood, score his first try at home for his Club. Albeit a short range affair, nevertheless a try from 2 metres feels just as good as a 50 yarder.
both sides slugged it out amongst the forwards. Wheatsheaf, which by far had the heavier pack, drove over from five metres out to take a 5-0 lead. Soon after the restart, Verwood were awarded a penalty 40 metres out. Paul McGuffie, playing an unaccustomed role at centre, slotted the penalty with ease. Wheatsheaf extended their lead on 30 minutes with another drive from five metres out, this time following a lineout.
Saturday 24th October at Potterne Park gave spectators an excellent game of running rugby where both sets of three quarters moved the ball well and only first class tackling stopped this being a cricket score. Ironically the deadlock was, however, broken by a forward when Verwood’s Richard Cooke received a perfectly timed pass from Matt Pike and then sprinted 35 yards handing off the covering tacklers to score. 5-0 Verwood.