Late heartbreak for Pulborough as Wise counts cost of penalties

Pulborough suffered late heartbreak on Saturday as Old Dunstonians slotted over a late penalty to pinch a narrow 24-21 victory.
Dan Bullock jumps. Picture by warwickpics.comDan Bullock jumps. Picture by warwickpics.com
Dan Bullock jumps. Picture by warwickpics.com

With the score level at 21-21 with just two minutes left on the clock, the home side were awarded a penalty which they duly converted.

Pulborough were left to make do with a losing bonus point, while captain Seth Wise was ruing giving away too many penalties.

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He said: “It was a really good game and one of the best ones we have enjoyed this season in terms of general performance and spirit of the game.

“It was a tough game, but played in a really good spirit by both teams. Both were trying to play rugby on a beautiful pitch.

“In summary, it was a good performance away from home, which is something we have struggled a bit with this season.

“I was disappointed that we gifted them so many soft penalties, which is something we have done too much this season and need to cut out.

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“A draw would have probably been a fair result, I am not saying we deserved to win, but a draw would have been fair.”

Pulborough took a 14-0 lead with two tries in quick succession after 20 minutes.

Dan Bullock scored the first out wide, before a kick forwards by Pulborough was not fielded well by their hosts and was consequently turned over for Brad Game to cross the line. Both scores were converted by Tom Hoey.

Ill discipline, however, by the visitors allowed their hosts to put over three penalties before half-time to pull the score back to 14-9.

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They then took the lead in the second half, although a third try from Pulborough, put down by replacement Guy Baxter helped set up a 21-21 score late on before the dramatic finish.

Wise added: “It was a good performance against a team that has gone fourth now and we are just about clinging on to the curtails of the top half – that said, we have some big games coming up.”