Randall's intervention is crucial for Services

United Services boosted their London three south west survival chances with a 20-19 win over Eastleigh on the 3G pitch at Burnaby Road.
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Feb 2016, 08:30 BST
Will Rolfe, of Services, breaks through the Eastleigh line, assisted by Dougie Randall (left) and Phill Gilliland. Picture Keith WoodlandWill Rolfe, of Services, breaks through the Eastleigh line, assisted by Dougie Randall (left) and Phill Gilliland. Picture Keith Woodland
Will Rolfe, of Services, breaks through the Eastleigh line, assisted by Dougie Randall (left) and Phill Gilliland. Picture Keith Woodland

It was a crucial win for Services, coming after five successive defeats, and lifted them out of the bottom three.

Director of rugby Matt Davis believes it can give his team the belief to go on and stay up.

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‘We know we are a good side but we have got to have a bit more belief out on the pitch,’ said Davis.

Luke Peters on the charge to score a try for US against Eastleigh. Picture: Keith WoodlandLuke Peters on the charge to score a try for US against Eastleigh. Picture: Keith Woodland
Luke Peters on the charge to score a try for US against Eastleigh. Picture: Keith Woodland

‘This performance and result should help us achieve that.

‘It has moved us up a few positions and it is important that we take this forward.

‘There was a great buzz around the team for the whole 80 minutes.

‘I asked them to show heart, passion and commitment – all things you can’t learn on the training ground.

Luke Peters on the charge to score a try for US against Eastleigh. Picture: Keith WoodlandLuke Peters on the charge to score a try for US against Eastleigh. Picture: Keith Woodland
Luke Peters on the charge to score a try for US against Eastleigh. Picture: Keith Woodland
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‘To their credit, the players delivered from the first to the 80th minute.

‘Our forwards carried superbly, making it across the gain line every time and our tackling was immense.’

Ben Smith gave Services the perfect start with a penalty.

He judged his kick perfectly with the tricky wind making it tough.

Prop forward Will Rolfe soon added a try with a superb run after picking up at the base of a ruck.

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Smith added the conversion but Eastleigh hit back to let the home side they were in a game.

The visitors strength was in the line-out and their try stemmed from a catch and drive which Services couldn’t stop.

Services regained their composure to stretch their lead to 15-7 at the break.

Keith Molyneux made a good burst inside off his wing and linked up with back-row forward Liam Geoghegan who side-stepped his way over.

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The scoring continued to yo-yo with Eastleigh scoring a try at the start of the second half.

Services replied when replacement winger Luke Peters soon extended their lead with a good solo try.

Picking the ball up on half-way he raced outside the Eastleigh defence and powered over in the corner.

Davis admitted his team were then indebted to a superb piece of defending by hooker Dougie Randall.

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‘Eastleigh chipped over the top of our defence and their winger looked like scoring a certain try,’ said Davis.

‘Somehow our hooker got back and made the best tackle I have ever seen and I still don’t know how he did it.

‘He appeared from nowhere on our line and somehow held their player up.’

It was vital because Eastleigh increased the pressure by reducing the deficit to one point.

‘We couldn’t shake Eastleigh off but we controlled the last ten minutes well,’ said Davis.

‘This is a win that has been coming and one we thoroughly deserved.’

Related topics:EastleighLondon