Rugby Round Up – Avery Moves On – the Nottingham Sport

West Bridgford’s promotion aspirations continued on their upward trajectory last Friday night, following a home win over Ilkeston, whilst Saturday would see defeat for their three, Nottinghamshire rivals, in the Regional 2 Midlands North, and Nottingham Moderns, they bade a fond farewell to one of their own as Alan Avery moved on to pastures new.

Under those Friday Night Lights Bridgy stormed to what was their sixth win, from nine outings, thus far this season, and they did so thanks to a brace of tries from full back Stephen Terera, and one each from Ian Halsall, Alex Smit, Calum Gunn, and substitute Will Lyon, Gunn adding five conversions along the way.

Meanwhile, it was to be defeat elsewhere as Newark fell to second place Dronfield (52-24), Paviors were narrowly beaten at second bottom Tamworth (15-14), and bottom club Mellish lost to their visitors, eighth place Old Saltleians (26-15).

Southwell are also boasting promotion aspirations, from Counties 1 Midlands East (North), and, like West Bridgford, are sitting pretty in third place, after their 26-19 weekend success at home to Kesteven.

That win sees them four behind second place, and nine off leaders Hinckley, whilst again, like in the Regional 2 division, it was defeat for the other Notts clubs, this time Mansfield, and Nottingham Moderns; the victorious Southwell side would notch four tries in their win as Jacob Hardwick, Stefan Dahle-Ortiz, Kieran Brown, and Tom Broughton all crossed, Andrew Frettingham with three conversions.

Moderns were beaten 47-19 away to Lincoln, whilst Mansfield suffered a 60-0 shut-out defeat on the road at Hinckley IIs.

At the Moderns, the club posted a farewell notice on their socials to announce his departure, saying; “Alan Avery played his last game for Moderns this weekend as he departs for a new life in London!

“Alan has been part of Moderns for around 18 years. He and his brother Pete Avery have enjoyed several spells alongside each other for the 1XV in the past few years.

“Generally regarded as a pain in the arse by all who play alongside him and who coach him, Alan brings intensity and passion to every training session and match day.

“He works as hard off the pitch as he does on it, and in the last few years Alan has played an influential role in transitioning Colts players into the senior set up – a project that has allowed many U18 to gain 1XV and 2XV debuts this season.

“On top of this, Alan has found time to collaborate on a huge student recruitment drive that has drawn in nearly 40 different players this season.

“Alan’s chat, enthusiasm and energy will be greatly missed each week at the rugby club! All the best mate.”

There’s a much tighter affair at the top end of the Counties 2 Midlands East (North) however, with just the six points splitting a top six of Ashby (37-points), Ashbourne (36), Melton Mowbray (33), Nottingham Casuals (32), Mosborough (31), and Keyworth (31).

Of those six, the two Notts clubs involved saw mixed fortunes, Keyworth slipping up when at second place Ashbourne, and Casuals picked up a win away to Derby IIs (47-26); Newark IIs, along with Ashfield in the bottom two, also suffered defeat, they at home to Boston.

Meanwhile, at the bottom end of the rugby pyramid, and in the Counties 3 Midlands East (Central), West Bridgford IIs boast a six-point advantage on second place Southwell IIs, Bingham sit third, and Nottinghamians fourth, with the four all having a successful run-out at the weekend.

Southwell IIs won on Friday night, picking up a 37-12 success at Ilkeston IIs, whilst on Saturday Bridgy’s seconds cruised to a 63-7 win away to Leesbrook (tries from Ted Polsen, William Wedgwood, Daniel West, Michael Hyatt, Daniel Langton, Jack Trolove two, Gareth Kerr, Benjamin Berridge, and Brian Lewandowski, with Langton adding all ten conversions), Bingham took care of visiting Mellish IIs 73-20, Moderns IIs won 79-10 at home to Spalding, and Nottinghamians won 45-8 against visiting Castle Donnington.