The 1st XV put in a hugely physical performance to overwhelm the University of Worcester 1st XV 48-14 on Wednesday afternoon. Scrum-Half Bruce Spencer grabbed a brace, whilst Kit Buchan, Alex Copinger-Symes, Piers Martin, Dylan Kennerell-Walters, Ben Dickson and flanker Macdonald also got on the scoresheet. Joe Hunt and #10 Pike also kicked two conversions each.

Brookes made their intention known from the start, immediately forcing their way into the Worcester half before winning a scrum just five metres out. With the Worcester scrum in reverse, Spencer dived over the whitewash to give Brookes 1st XV a 5-0 lead after just five minutes. Hunt missed the touchline conversion, but it was a fast start for Brookes.

That lead would be doubled in the 15th minute, with man-of-the-match Buchan making an impressive line-break in Worcester’s 22. The ball was quickly recycled to Spencer, who grabbed his second try of the match. Hunt made no mistake with the conversion. Unfortunately, Worcester reduced the deficit in the 17th minute, building up the phases and eventually scoring from close range. With the conversion successful, Brookes 1st XV now had a 12-7 lead.

However, Worcester’s celebrations would be short-lived as Brookes went on the charge again, using their superior power to threaten the try-line once more, and the pressure paid off as Buchan went over to highlight a very impressive outing for the #8. Brookes then showed their desire to play wide with the final play of the first half, electing to take a penalty quickly, and an overlap on the right side saw Copinger-Symes go over in the corner. Hunt’s conversion meant that Brookes 1st XV had a very healthy 24-7 lead going into half time.

The second half continued with the same high levels of intensity as the first, with both teams looking to establish their dominance on the gain line. It would be Worcester who scored the first points of the second half, going over from close range on the 55-minute mark, and with a successful conversion, it was 24-14 to the home side.

From there though, Brookes 1st XV found another gear. With the backs now starting to gel, slick handling down the left saw Martin race over under the posts with 59 minutes gone. With Brookes starting to stamp their authority, impact-player Kennerel-Walters threw an outrageous dummy in the 65th minutes to cruise through the Worcester defence and go over for Brookes’ sixth try. However, Brookes weren’t done there. After sustained pressure in Worcester’s 22, Dickson crashed over the line to hit 41 points for the home side, and with Pike’s conversion, Brookes had a commanding 43-14 lead with 10 minutes to go. There would be time for one more try, with #7 Macdonald going over in the 75th minute to cap off an impressive showing from the 1st XV. From there, Brookes closed the game out to see the final score finish at 48-14.

Director of Rugby Joe Winpenny was delighted with the win, hailing an “excellent job” from the first XV. “Performing that well against Worcester who will be competing in the same league as us will give us a real idea of where we are moving into the first week of BUCS rugby”, Winpenny said on social media following the game.

Next up for Brookes 1st XV a is home game to Aston 1st XV, whilst the 2nd XV play Nottingham 3rd XV away and the 3rd XV face Lincoln 2nd XV away from home.

Stephen Lewis