Pump Technology sponsored Tadley welcomed Sherbourne 1st XV to Red Lane again in perfect rugby conditions. In this fixture earlier in the season in Sherbourne Tadley had dominated and come away with a victory. However Sherbourne though currently occupying the 11th position in the league were in a run of good form winning 4 on the bounce and were keen to extend the gap between themselves and bottom placed Ivel Barbarians.

The Tadley side made only a couple of changes from last weeks game against Corsham. Whightwick came in to start on the flank and Rob Morrison was moved to the wing.

Sherbourne kicked off with a kick that didn’t go ten metres so the game was restarted with a Tadley scrum. Sherbourne immediately laid down the gantlet in terms of their scrummaging ability. The Tadely pack realised that would be in for a long afternoon if Sherbourne were going to dominate in this area.

Tadley now had to defend as Sherbourne mounted an attack. Sherbourne showed that they had developed considerably since the two sides met. So have Tadley and they showed that they were comfortable to defend for sustained periods. When the ball was spilled the home side were able to move the ball wide to full back Gavin Dampies who showed his pace in a 70 metre try. Which was converted by Chris Dennison.

The home supporters only had to wait another 6 minutes for Dampies to turn on the style again scoring another long range effort with Dennison adding the two points. With Duncan Harris at second row dominating the restarts and going on to have another fine match linking well with backs with ball in hand Tadley were controlling the game. Sherbourne appeared slightly perplexed as they had had the majority of the ball and territory and found themselves 14 – 0 down with less than 10 minutes gone. Sherbourne continued to dominate in the scrums but Tadley defended solidly and undoubtedly won the battle at the break down.

Dampies added another try to claim his hat trick out wide with only 15 minutes gone. Sherbourne now had a huge mountain to climb 19-0 but they showed they would not roll over and again leading from their pack they continued to attack and their determination was paid off by a forward effort and they crashed over the Tadley line to the right of the posts. This was converted and appeared to lift the away side further.

Shortly before half time Sherborne added 3 points through a drop goal. This was cancelled out by home side 10 Chris Dennison by way of a penalty.The half time score 25-10.

Tadley weren’t able to keep up the intensity of the 1st half as they stuttered their way through the second half, a further try from Dampies sealed the victory, as the flier revelled in the wide open spaces. Sherborne had the last say and were able to score again from a poorly defended penalty.

Tadley will be very happy with the win but the performance was perhaps a step back from previous weeks, Tadley will need to be on top form when they travel to Oldfield old boys who are 1 place below them in the league. Come along and cheer Tadley on.

There is no question the man of the match- Gavin Dampies.

Tadley- Dampies, Morrison, Pike, Williams, T smith, Dennison, Bailey, Colllins, Lowe, Grierson, Harris, Murray©, Wightwick, Staley, Keeley