Sat 6 Dec 2025, 14:00
Mr Richard Purchase (the Club's vice-chair and the match-day sponsor) writes:
On a wet and windy Saturday, we gathered first in the clubhouse for a truly excellent pre-match meal with friends from Devonport, club members, family and friends of Marco Merlina, as well as the friends and family of the matchday sponsor. What a treat we enjoyed prepared by Amanda and her team - soup, chicken breast with bacon plus veggies and a cheese board. Really good and very tasty so next time don't miss out - come and join us for the pre-match meal.
Match report
In truth and from the touchline the first half was probably the best rugby the Marlborough 1st XV have played all season. Our scrum had the top of the league side running backwards and penalties followed. Unfortunately we couldn't keep up the same intensity as the report by David Pittams, senior men's squad manager, sets out:
"Not great conditions with a very wet pitch and high winds. Marlborough started well, playing downhill, with 2nd row Metuisela Vereivalu ripping the ball on the halfway line. From the ruck scrum half Vili Vunipola whipped the ball out to Nichaiah Boynton who with equally quick hands passed to winger Akariva Seruvatu to chip kick his opposite wing and race through to score after only 2 minutes. Unconverted.
Marlborough settled into the game really quickly. Very much helped by a dominant scrum. On 15 minutes flyhalf George Shakespeare kicked a penalty in extremely testing conditions.
Devonport fought back and scored on 20 minutes with a try from a driving maul that Marlborough were unable to defend. Converted. But Marlborough were still very much on the front foot. Akariva Seruvatu scoring his 2nd try following some nice build up play and Aka showing speed & skill to finish. Unconverted. 5 minutes later George Shakespeare converted another penalty.
Half-time score - Marlborough Rugby 16-7 Devonport Services RFC
The coaches at halftime were not overly happy as they were of the opinion that given Marlborough's first half dominance they had left some points out there and they should have been further ahead.
The 2nd half started badly for Marlborough with Devonport scoring after on 2 minutes. Unconverted.
Young Max Khawaja also received a yellow card for attempting to make the try saving tackle that was deemed to be high. There was also a hint of the "Held Up" when the try was given. Devonport made the most of Marlborough being a man down as you would expect from a well drilled and well coached side. Marlborough conceded another 2 tries (one converted) in the next 8 minutes. So, from a halftime lead of 16-7 just 10 minutes into the 2nd half we're now 16-24 behind. The story of the 2nd half was that Devonport upped their game and Marlborough dropped off. Devonport scored again with the final play of the game with Marlborough chasing to salvage a bonus point.
Final score - Marlborough Rugby 16-31 Devonport Services RFC
Man of the Match was inside centre Kevini Tuaimei'api whose ball carrying and defence was fantastic. See picture, below, of Kevini being congratulated by Richard Purchase.
This photo and the others in the associated gallery are kindly provided by Neil Goodwin of the Marlborough News Online.
