Sat 7 Feb 2026
It had been a difficult week for Marlborough Rugby after the awful performances against Royal Wootton Bassett and Melksham the previous Saturday... However, two good training sessions in the lead-up this week, a few harsh home truths voiced by the coaching staff, and the return of a couple of key players meant that the Marlborough 1st XV started Saturday's match with both a much-improved mind set and the feeling they had a point to prove having let themselves down last weekend.
The pitch conditions were poor, with the fixture only being confirmed to go ahead following an 8am pitch inspection on Saturday morning! It was clear from the kick-off that this was a different Marlborough team - with fly-half, George Shakespeare, kicking Marlborough ahead with a penalty after six minutes of sustained pressure by the men in black and gold. But it was equally clear that Matson had come to play and they were causing Marlborough some problems, scoring themselves on fifteen minutes with a very well-worked try that started with an attacking scrum, setting up some nice phases for them to score in the corner; unconverted.
To their credit, the men of Marlborough now very much stuck to the game plan. They were playing up the hill in poor conditions, but scrum-half, Will Grant's tactical kicking, combined with Shakespeare's decision-making were on point. On the half-hour, this all paid off: Number 8, Ratu Saqanavere, made an excellent break from halfway, giving Marlborough excellent attacking field position. A scrum just outside the Matson 5-metre line was won by Marlborough, and this was followed by some tight phases by the forwards, eventually seeing tight-head prop, Lemaki Moala, crashing over to score! His try under the posts was expertly converted by Shakespeare. Marlborough's patience and cool heads were starting to pay off, and we were playing the conditions with good tactical kicking. As this thrilling first half neared its end, the Marlborough back line was also putting in some really good attacking phases, which kept the pressure on Matson. Second row, Ryan Nabuni, ran an excellent line in support on one of these backs moves and was rewarded with a sumptuous pop pass that allowed him to power through and dot the ball down to score! Well deserved; and neatly converted by the in-form Shakespeare.
Half-time score: Marlborough Rugby 17-5 Matson RFC
More like it! The calm and clear instructions from the coaches at the half-time break added to the air of confidence held by the players. They had listened to and carried out the given game plan. And it was working. No room for complacenecy, obviously, but we want more of the same in the second half...
As if to prove that point, and after just ten minutes of the second half, Matson were awarded a penalty just outside the Marlborough 22. The Marlborough defence was caught well and truly napping, and Matson went for the quick tap-and-go, spinning the ball wide, outflanking the un-set Marlborough defensive line, and scoring in the corner. The conversion was good, even from out wide, and this was a wake-up call. Marlborough 17-12 Matson...
No panic from the Marlborough players, although they were clearly unhappy with themselves having switched off for those few vital seconds to allow Matson a foothold back into the game. Now at 17-12 it was very much game on.
On 55 minutes Marlborough had a scrum on the Matson 10-metre line. Flanker (moved to Number 8 with Saqanavere off the pitch injured), Kevini Tuaimei'api, picked the ball up from the back of the scrum and then sprinted down the blind-side touchline, breaking tackles and handing-off the final defender to score in the corner - a magnificent individual try! Converted by Shakespeare, of course.
Even in the poor conditions Marlborough were building on the game plan and playing some very good, coherent, and fruitful rugby. Matson were still very much making it, however, and so it was an extremely competitive and hard-fought game - and thrilling to watch from the sidelines.
The next score from Marlborough started with an excellent opportunist break by Grant from half-way - he was finally bought down just inside the Matson 22. This set Marlborough up for some very well-worked phases, which led to Shakespeare scoring in the bottom left-hand corner; he stepped up and deftly converted his own try! Marlborough 31-12 Matson... and the try bonus point in the bag!
And Marlborough had one more score left. Nabuni charged down a clearance kick by Matson and went after the prize - looking for his second! He kicked the ball through, but couldn't gather it cleanly enough to go on and score... but he did secure the ball and the chasing forwards quickly set up a solid ruck, gifting Grant the time to re-organsie the backs into attack formation. Through the hands it went, to centre and Vice-Captain on the day, Akariva Seruvatu, and he made no mistake - slicing through a tired Matson defensive line to score a great try! It went unconverted, but the clock was ticking and it looked fairly certain at this point...
Credit to Matson - they did not give up and the last few minutes of this game saw Marlborough having to defend our try line from an extremely determined Matson attack - Matson stuck at their task until the final whistle, and when it blew, it was with some relief on the Marlborough side...
Final score: Marlborough Rugby 36-12 Matson RFC
The coaching staff observe:
"This was an extremely encouraging performance from Marlborough. Helped by the return of a couple of key experienced players. The 2nd row combination of Aporosa Masicola and Ryan Nabuni was very influential. Young front rows Jacob Te Rangi and Nicaiah Boynton are really fronting up and being helped by the enormously experienced Lemaki Moala. Moving Kevini Tuaimei'api from centre to Blind Side Flanker was also a key decision with Kevini having possibly his best every game for Marlborough and being joint Man of the Match. It was a worry when the very influential Number 8 Ratu Saqanvere had to come off with an injury but Kevini moved across to Number 8. Marlborough adjusted and took it in their stride. The return of club captain Chris Diamond from injury coming on for the final 20 minutes was also a big boost. In the back line Will Grant at Scrum Half had a magnificent match making him joint Man of the Match. Will is now starting to form a nice partnership with Fly Half George Shakespeare. Outside the 2 half backs the experience of Roko Waicolayawa is extremely important and helpful to the younger backs. Moving winger Akariva Seruvatu into the inside centre position has also worked well. He is a fantastic strike runner and his experience in organising the defence at outside centre worked well. Full Back Shane van Wyk was moved to the wing and slotted in seamlessly. On the other wing the returning Osea Tunidau had a great game both in attack and defence. At only 19 young Vili Vunipola is becoming Marlborough's mister versatile. This season he has been asked to play 9/10/12/15. His defence/kicking and decision making yesterday was exemplary."
Well done all!
Below: joint Player of the Match winner, Kevini Tuaimei'api, breaks and goes away!
Please see all the other photos in the gallery here, with thanks to Neil Goodwin of Marlborough News online.
