The Dev XV secure promotion with a game to spare

Some lovely sunshine at Crusaders ground for this top of the table clash. Wold aiming to clinch the league title and Crusaders with their own ambitions to make the title go down to the last weekend.

Wold started well, and Owles lovely penalty kick to touch did anything but get close to its destination! But great chasing by Niall and the fact the ball doesn’t do what you expect, saw the bounce beat the Crusaders defence and Niall touched down to score an unconverted try. From the kick off Wold were on the attack again with Sam, but turn over ball allowed Crusaders to kick ahead and like previously, no one claimed the ball and it bounced up into the Crusaders players arms for him to run in and level the score.

Crusaders then took the lead following several penalties from Wold in their own 22, and they were 10-5 up. This didn’t last long as great thinking from Darius to take the quick line out, his long pass found Bliss who in turn passed to Owles. His big dummy fooled the defensive line and he ran in under the posts, only to miss the conversion. Wold then upped the momentum with great mid field running from Crick and Ritchie. A superb lineout take from Walker then allowed the pack to drive towards the line and Tom to get the try and Wold to take the lead. Bliss converted off the post. Wold then scored a fourth try through Ritchie and got the try bonus point needed to secure the title before the half time whistle. HT score 22-10

The second half was closely fought, but the wide play from Wold was making the difference. The forwards were now dominant in the scrum, and were unlucky not to be awarded penalties in several of these as the Crusaders pack were in reverse and pushed off the ball. The next try came off good backing up play as Eddie received the ball wide on the left and out paced the defence to score and take the lead to 27-10. Tom was again in the action as he made a lovely break and following good support from Darius and Owles, Crick broke tackles and was soon over the try line to score Wolds sixth try.

There was then a period of very even play in the middle of the park, with both teams making good breaks but also providing good defence to halt progress. Some great tackles in the middle from Bliss did not go unnoticed on the Crusaders fly half! More good forward play by the scrum allowed quick ball from Darius to Owles, quick passes found Sam at pace and he sped into the corner to score a well deserved try. The final score came after good possession and then allowing Ritchie to outpace the defence to see the result at 42-10.

A good all round squad performance with all players making their contributions, and ensuring the Wold Development team secured the league title with a game to spare.

Arn the Wold