Foresters pass university test

DESPITE having to contend with major team changes again the Foresters came up trumps against a strong university side.

The Greens settled quickly and went ahead with a well-worked try from fly half Will Davidson after good work by both the backs and forwards.

The Foresters had flanker Dan Solomi out on the wing while their versatile captain James Druce lined up at centre.

The front row of George Altham, Jake Parkinson and Ricky Cano, assisted by a second row partnership of Alex Powell and Simon Borrill gave a solid performance throughout and in the back row, Sam Smith, Nathan Myers and Matt Hall were energetic and thrustful.

Soon after their try the Greens lost concentration. A combination of poor decision making and sloppy handling allowed Loughborough to capitalise with two converted tries.

Not daunted the Foresters came at the students again and after a strong driven line-out, Powell was held up short but Myers emerged to finish off with a try.

This was closely followed by a typical Solomi pick and go. The Greens increased their lead just before half-time.

Altham found Powell with a fine pass and the big man romped to the line from 15 metres out to make the half-time score 22-14.

The first 30 minutes of the second half were extremely competitive with neither side prepared to buckle.

The forwards took the play to Loughborough and played a big part in the next score.

They won good turnover ball in their own 22 after a good cover tackle by Ralph Wellock.

The ball was recycled and swiftly moved in to the opposition half where Simon Crabtree latched onto a Wellock pass to score under the posts. Druce added the conversion.

The final try of an entertaining game came when Druce intercepted on the halfway line and scampered away to score under the posts, making the conversion a formality.

Foresters: Labasse, Solomi, Druce, Crabtree, Wellock, Davidson, Bell, Altham, Parkinson, Cano, Alex Powell, Borrill, Smith, Myers, Hall. Replacements: Starkey, Davies, Graham.