DAVENTRY RUGBY: Whitehead the last-gasp drop goal hero
CLEARING THE DANGER - action from Daventry's victory over Stewarts & Lloyds (Pictures: Dave Ikin)
Adam Whitehead was the Daventry hero as his last-gasp drop goal sealed a brilliant 11-9 win over high-flying Corby Stewarts and Lloyds at Stefen Hill in Midland Three East (South).
Trailing 9-8 with just two minutes remaining, Whitehead decided to try his luck from 22 metres out, and the ball hit the crossbar before bouncing over, much to the delight of the Daventry players and spectators.
It was just reward for a battling All Blacks performance against a side that started the day second in the table.
The first half was physical and very tight, and the teams turned round at the break locked at 0-0.
Daventry started the second half at a ferocious pace and took S&L by surprise, going into a 5-0 lead when scrum-half Gareth Dudgeonn scramble over the ty-line.
James Heath missed the conversion.
S&L hit back with two quickfire penalties to go 6-5 ahead, before Daventry regained the lead at 8-6 when Heath kicked a penalty.
It stayed that way until five minutes to go, when S&L slotted a 40-metre penalty that looked to have won the game - until Whitehead’s late heroics ruined their day.
Jason Mills was named man of the match for Daventry, who this Saturday head to Station Road for the derby with Long Buckby (k.o 2.15pm).
Buckby go into that game in less good heart after the suffered a shock 50-23 defeat at rock-bottom Old Newtonians, whp claimed only their second win of the season.
Away from the senior scene, there was a win for Daventry’s Under-13s, but a loss for the and Under 15s.
The U-13s hosted Kettering, and it was the visitors that got over the try-line first to take a 5-0 lead.
That was short-lived as Ryan Murray scored a try of his own to level.
In the second half Daventry scored a second try through Harry Hayward and, crucially, Ben James landed the conversion.
Kettering hit back with a try of their own, but missed the conversion, and Daventry were winners.
Daventry’s U-15s were also at home to Oundle in the plate cup.
The match was a fantastic advert for youth rugby, and both sides tried to play attractive rugby, but it was Oundle who ran out 19-0 winners.
Daventry’s man of the match was Josh Smith.
This weekend sees Daventry return to league action against Long Buckby.
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Weather for Daventry
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 13 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
