Calne RFC

Sat 14 Dec 2024

Royal Wootton Bassett III

26 - 10

(HT 0-0)

Calne

Royal Wootton Bassett III

Calne

Calne RFC travelled to Royal Wootton Bassett III (RWB) on Saturday for a physical and hard-fought contest. Calne made a strong start, settling quickly into the game and showing early intent. With a much changed pack from their usual, Calne dominated the scrums throughout the game, and their efforts were rewarded in the 12th minute when No. 4 Rory Cranstoun (sponsored by The Wellbeing Clinic) broke through a sparse RWB defense to score the opening try, taking a deserved 5-0 lead. It was the start Calne had hoped for, putting early scrutiny on the hosts.

RWB, however, began to find their rhythm and responded well. In the 22nd minute, they scored a well-worked try, converting successfully to edge in front at 7-5. The match remained tightly poised, with both teams trading blows in a fiercely contested battle. Just before the halftime whistle, Calne hit back. A sustained period of pressure in RWB’s 22 culminated in a second Calne try by No. 11 Si Hansen (sponsored by Casali Recruitment Ltd) in the 39th minute, sending the visitors to a narrow 10-7 lead. However, ahead of the half time whistle RWB seized the initiative, scoring their second try just minutes before the restart in the 46th minute to reclaim the lead at 12-10.

Calne worked hard in the second half to respond but struggled to regain the same control they had shown earlier in the game due to a number of injuries. RWB capitalised, building pressure in Calne’s half and scoring again in the 51st minute to stretch their lead to 19-10.

As the second half wore on, Calne continued to battle, putting together phases and testing RWB’s defense, but the home side remained resolute. Calne’s efforts were compounded by moments of fatigue and errors, including a yellow card, which allowed RWB to close the game out decisively. In the 76th minute, RWB broke through one final time, adding a converted try to seal the win. The final whistle blew with RWB victorious, 26-10.

It was a game of two halves for Calne, who impressed early with their energy, physicality, and ability to take their chances. Their two well-earned tries in the first half showed what they were capable of, but RWB’s second-half performance proved too much to overcome. With game’s end, newcomer No. 6 Neil Lavelle was awarded the Riches Roofing Man of the Match Award for a sterling first performance. Calne will take positives from their early dominance and defensive effort, but will look to tighten up their structure and execution as they prepare for their next match.

A big thank you to RWB for a well-contested game and for hosting, as well as to the Calne supporters who were there to cheer the team on. Calne will regroup and aim to come back stronger in their next outing.