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FIVE-TRY HAWKINS CLOSE TO RECORD |
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Written by Bath Chronicle
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Saturday, 26 January 2008 |
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Thirty points from Joel Hawkins who scored five tries 
one short of the Oldfield 1st XV individual record - in a 37-20 away win at Sherborne last Saturday pushed the Shaft Road club into promotion contention in Southern Counties South.Oldfield blitzed Sherborne to take a 20-0 lead with three tries, a conversion and a penalty inside the first ten minutes and Ben Staunton's side never looked back, with centre Sean Lilley notching their sixth try in the second half. Sherborne clawed back a try through full-back Anthony Hallett, converted by Gavin Smart, to trail 20-7 at the interval.
But Oldfield merely stepped up a gear and notched another 17 points after the break to put the game to bed, despite a second try from Hallett and a Smart penalty from the home side. "Joel Hawkins was back to his best with a fine display," said Oldfield skipper Lee Sumsion. "He came very close to equalling the club record of six tries in a match and Sean Lilley maintained his recent fine scoring touch with the other score. But strength in depth was the real key to our success last weekend with players failing late fitness tests and an under 19 fixture to fulfil on Sunday. That saw Andy Wright, John Fielding and Andy Owen come into the side for their first starts of the season, 2nd XV captain Jason Humphries help and Mark Patrick, in his 26th playing season at Shaft Road, make a significant contribution."
Oldfield's victory lifted them up to third place in the table, behind second-placed Trowbridge and two adrift of leaders Frome, who both have a game in hand after postponements last weekend.
Oldfield, who take on local rivals Corsham in what should be a highly-competitive derby clash at Shaft Road this weekend, still have to play both of the top two in the run-in to the end of the season.
Corsham, meanwhile, are looking over their shoulders ahead of Saturday's game.
The Wiltshire outfit, currently fourth from bottom of the table, have won just once in their last five outings.
Just four wins in 12 outings this season to date have left Corsham, who were promoted from Dorset & Wilts 1 North at the end of last season perilously close to a relegation spot.
Devizes, who have yet to win at all this season, are already starting relegation in the face, but Corsham have just three points in hand over second-bottom Dorchester.
The Bath Combination's first meeting of 2008 is arranged for next Wednesday (January 30) at Stothert & Pitt's clubhouse, comencing at 8pm.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 26 January 2008 )
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