Sat 6 Sep 2025
The first match of the league season was a trip to Alwyn Road to take on Rugby Welsh, a side that had done the double over the Vikes last season on their way to a top four finish.
A slow start from the visitors allowed Welsh to race into a 12-0 lead. The shellshock however was short lived; soon Sileby began to dominate possession and territory. This became points through the boot of Jon Griffiths, the home team’s indiscretions contributing 6 points for the away side. Just before half team Welsh’s try line was finally breached, Jacob Moore dotting down from close range after a period of sustained pressure. 12-13 at the break following Griffiths conversion.
The second half started like the first, poorly. A loss of concentration allowed the home side’s 10 to glide through virtually unopposed. 19-13. With 20 minutes left the bench was emptied: Sawbridge, Nichols and new recruit Tate sent on to change the game. And that they did. First, Nichols broke from a driving maul making metres. Two phases later and winger Harry Greenbury turned in from a Dave Collison offload, beat two defenders and dotted down. 19-20. Then, a huge scrum turned over possession against the head. Number 8 Mayes broke, hauled down by a desperate defence just before the line. However Freer to Spencer to Rideout made it 19-25 with 10 to go.
A Welsh penalty meant a nervous final 10, with the home team piling on the pressure. However, some resolute defence and turnover from Player of the Match Mayes meant Spencer could tap and clear the ball into the stands to seal a great away win.
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