The roving reporter was late to the party today, he sends his apologies! However, a crisp spring morning on the Headlands pitches and the prospect of a good game against local Rivals Bowden awaited.

A few injuries gave the coaches a dilemma or two, with Ewan Meanwell, Toby Lees, Harry Carmen, Will Morrey, Jo Asher and Thomas Price all out with injuries.

Spitfires went over early in the 8th minute for a try from George Roberts and by all accounts Spitfires seemed the stronger side. The pack worked hard at the breakdown and at the set piece and they had the stronger set of forwards with Roberts, Nikolai ‘Nick’ Schiro and Joel Grantham and George Harrison making some good carries. Versatility is something this side are working hard on and it shows in their game management and field play. Roberts switching from No 8 to the flank and more recently Danny Bonner dropping out of the forwards to add some beef in the midfield. This works well and pays dividends at the breakdown with more strength to hold the jackal and win turnover ball.

For their part Bowden are a determined side and no doubt this is one of the matches that is a ‘must win’ for them. With some big ball carriers in the backs and slight of hand they are a danger in attack. Strong tackling in defence is priority.
Whichever way you look at it, this was a close match. Spitfires strong and dangerous in attack, and Bowden threatening in the backs. And this showed on the scoreboard. Spitfires worked hard to go 10 points up with no response from Bowden, but sometimes silly mistakes and lacklustre tackling allowed Bowden to open the field and camp out in spitfires ’22. Going into the last third of the match the score was 10-7 before a brace of converted tries put Bowden ahead at 10-21.

Spitfires worked hard at the breakdown however winning some good ball before Tinotenda Nheta - ‘TK’ burst through the defence for a well worked try, converted by Oscar Parker bringing the score to 17-21.

With only minutes on the clock Bowden were penalised for holding on at the ruck allowing Marcus Hunter to kick to touch inside Bowden’s ’22. Line out taken and maul formed the strength of spitfires forwards drove the maul forward and went over for the try, only for it to be disallowed, the referee deciding the ball had been held up. The final whistle brought an end to the match, spitfires frustrated in the belief the ball had been grounded but a hand slid under the ball at the last minute.

You win some, you lose some and sometimes official’s decisions are frustrating, but that’s the game. A very close match hard fought between two good young sides.

The win goes to Bowden, but try asking a spitfire (or even a Bowden player!) and you may get a different story…..

Onwards Spitfires