RUGBY UNION: Witney suffer late, late woe (From The Oxford Times)

RUGBY UNION: Witney suffer late, late woe

10:30am Tuesday 31st January 2012 in Rugby

South West 1 East

WITNEY came within seconds of upsetting leaders Maidenhead before slipping to a 22-17 home defeat.

Fly half Pierre Dubost’s penalty, two minutes from time, had put Witney 17-15 up, but Maidenhead snatched the spoils deep into stoppage time.

Maidenhead piled on the early pressure and were rewarded eith a fourth-minute try from flanker James Emmanuel, converted by fly half Scott Harris.

However, it was soon 7-7 after centre James Lamb’s break set up full back Phil Gouldie to score and Dubost converted.

Dubost missed a drop goal and a penalty, while the visitors could not capitalise on some Witney indiscipline.

On 26 minutes, Gouldie’s clearance was charged down and Maidenhead scored via prop Jamie Townsend.

Prop Matt Brocklebank thought he had scored Witney’s second try, but the referee recalled play for a home penalty.

However, Gouldie soon danced his way over for a second try, converted by Dubost.

A Harris penalty restored Maidenhead’s lead after the break, while home supporters felt they got away with being repeatedly off-side.

Dubost thought he had won the game late on with a penalty, but Maidenhead hammered away and won it with Townsend’s second try, converted by replacement Matthew Wells.