Romans are marching on July 2015

Romans march on after the cup

By Chris Chatten

The first West of England Rugby League 9’s competition was held on Saturday 4th July 2015 in Swindon hosted by Swindon St. George at the Supermarine Club. Rugby League 9’s is the league codes version of 7’s with very similar rules to the 13 a side game, fixtures are 9 minutes each way with 5 forwards and 4 backs.

West of England Premier League teams Bath & Wiltshire Romans RLFC, Swindon St George, Cheltenham Phoenix and Bristol Sonics entered sides along with touring team Surrey Sharks and Swindon RU.

The final was contested by Cheltenham Phoenix and Bath & Wiltshire Romans RLFC. Interesting the two sides met only a couple of weeks ago in the West of England Challenge Cup when new club the Romans ran out 40-10 winners, but this time it was Cheltenhams turn to win the cup as they won the final 10-0. However, the Romans intriguingly beat Cheltenham in the league format 26-22 in one of the most exciting games of the afternoon as it was nip and took for both sides till the end of the game.

The Romans are having a highly successful debut season and have recruited a good mix of university players, army personnel and local RU recruits. They are currently top of the West of England Premier League.

Paul Riley (Romans Captain) was at the hub of most of the attacking play guiding the team around the park, with others also impressing including youngster Huw Parks who has previous played for Wales Exiles under 18s in the other code and has been one of the finds of the season. Joe Knight also showed good go forward having signed from Trowbridge RU. Young winger Jack Porteus also scored some impressive tries with league novice Michael Perry also getting on the score sheet.

Jack Porteus storms in for a try
Young winger Jack Porteus storms away for a try under the sticks

The Romans took the opportunity to field a mix of experienced players and new personnel. All players showed up well making a case for selection in next weeks West of England League fixture back at Swindon against Swindon St George on Saturday 11th July 2015 KO 2.30pm.

Other forthcoming fixtures for the Romans are as follows, note that home fixtures are played at Leafy Lane, Corsham:

Saturday 18th July 2015 KO 2.30pm V Cheltenham Phoenix (Home)

Saturday 1st August 2015 KO 2.30pm V Somerset Vikings (Away)

Saturday 8th August 2015 KO 2.30pm V Bristol Sonics (Home)

Bristol Sonics (Away) TBC

League play offs will commence in mid August and could run onto the middle of September depending how far the club can go. The club are also seeking to arrange some friendly fixtures on free weekends and some mid week fixtures against other clubs in the south.

To keep in touch with the Romans find them on Twitter and Facebook

Bath & Wiltshire Romans RLFC - Team Picture
Back row (left to right) Stevenne Bray (PRO), Chris Chatten (Team Manager), Huw Parks, Paul Riley, Russ Preston, Ashley Salter, Paul Bond, Gemma Fletcher (Treasurer), Hollie Taylor (Physio) Front Row (left to right) Thomas Culshaw, Jimmy Godfrey, Ed Bray, Joe Knight, Michael Perry, Jack Porteus

For further information about Rugby League in the South West please visit the below website:

http://www.southwestrugbyleague.com/

Full results:

West of England 9s
Pitch 1                                                                                Pitch 2
Bath & Wilts Romans 26 22 Cheltenham Phoenix             Bristol Sonics 32 10 Swindon RFU
Bristol Sonics 24 6 Swindon St George                             Bath & Wilts Romans 22 14 Swindon RFU
Cheltenham Phoenix 30 12 Swindon St George
Bath & Wilts Romans 6 24 Bristol Sonics                          Swindon RFU 32 26 Surrey Sharks
Swindon St George 16 14 Swindon RFU                           Bristol Sonics 32 26 Surrey Sharks
Bristol Sonics 14 22 Cheltenham Phoenix                         Surrey Sharks 28 0 Swindon St George
Bath & Wilts Romans 34 10 Swindon St George               Cheltenham Phoenix 16 0 Surrey Sharks
Cheltenham Phoenix 24 12 Swindon RFU                         Bath & Wilts Romans 26 10 Surrey Sharks

FINAL
Bath & Wilts Romans 0 – 10 Cheltenham Phoenix

NB: Bristol unable to field a team for Final despite finishing top

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