Bath & Wiltshire Romans Rugby League hooker Tom Plance, also of Bath Broncos, played for Scotland Students Rugby League side against the British Police side in Newcastle on Sunday 2nd May.
Tom came off the bench after 20 minutes playing in the centre for 60 minutes, Tom was playing with fellow University of Bath Broncos colleague, Jamie Parks who was playing scrum-half. Tom made some strong carries from scrum sets in attack before they finally went down 40 points to 10.
Chris Chatten, Romans Chairman commented “Tom played for us last season in our founding campaign after forging close links with University of Bath Broncos student side, and starred at hooker. We are keen to continue to help develop Tom along the player pathway and hopefully another West of England League campaign will aid his development further.”
Romans also took on Swindon St. George in a pre season friendly on Wednesday 27th April; running out 42-32 winners. This was the first game at their new home; Corsham RU Club.
Veteran Fijian Bruce Vuetanatotoka open the scoring for the Romans with a weaving 50 metre run to the line leaving the Swindon centre and full back in his wake, converting his own try. Swindon replied levelling the scores at 6-6, and then Swindon took the lead with a soft try under the sticks making it 6-12 to Swindon. Bruce burst through the defence again to level up the scores again at 12 each this time Matthew Bodey converting who could turn out to be one of the finds of the season showing some creativity from half back.
Swindon again took the lead with a converted try 12-18, before Rory Auld on his debut for the Romans hit back proved he was hard to stop near the line going over under the sticks with Bodey again converting to level up the scores at 18 each. The game was played in quarters to give everyone a run but just before the end of the second quarter Ryan Wilcox another new signing from Colerne RFC showed he was hard to stop from close range but the conversion attempt was unsuccessful for a half time score of 22-18 to the Romans.
In the 3rd quarter the Romans rung some more changes and Jack Porteus showed some lightening speed from the wing going over for a try after a weaving run to the line and almost secure a second try with some dancing footwork, 26-18 to the Romans. In come the Brierley brothers (Josh & Ben) who gave the Romans some good go forward, Ben going in for a try out wide by creating an overlap in the Swindon defence, 30-18, Swindon replied with a converted try, 30-24.
Stand off Kev James then went over from close range under the sticks converted by Leigh Wheatley, 36-24. Swindon then went over for two unconverted tries, 36-32. The Romans then killed the game off in the dying minutes by getting the ball wide to Jay Patterson who was rotated to the wing after starting in the second row. Leigh Wheatley converted the try from out wide for a final score of 42-32.
Chris Chatten, Romans Chairman commented “It was a good run out for both teams and served a useful exercise to blood new players but I am sure both coaches will be working on defence in training over the next couple of weeks in preperation for a tough West of England League season”
The Romans will be at the West of England 9’s on Saturday 7th May at Swindon St. George’s Supermarine Ground, before the West of England League campaign gets underway the following Saturday away at Gloucestershire Warriors. The Romans have their first home league fixture on Saturday 21st May, Kick off 2.30pm against US Portsmouth Navy Sea Hawks and would like to thank match ball sponsor DA Archives Ltd for supporting the club.
The club are still seeking new players as they have ambitions to field a team in the Conference League South next season, and develop a second team to develop players before ‘blooding’ them in the first team squad. Anyone interesting in playing open age rugby league should contact Chairman, Chris Chatten on Tel: 07810 552196 or via the clubs social media channels @RomansRLFC or on Facebook
