Magor RFC

Recap

Saturday 20 September 2025 K.O.14:30

Caldicot Leisure Centre.

Magor RFC 22- 07 Girling RFC

Our opponents for our first home game of the season at Stade de Caldicot Leisure Centre were Girling RFC. Now the last time we met in the 23/24 season, also at home, Magor ran out as convincing 88 – 5 victors but this was a very different Girling side and it was good to see! 

Magor, in the changed kit of Monmouthshire blue, kicked off the game and for the first 5 minutes or so, both teams were on even terms. A penalty on halfway gave Magor some decent territory and a series of dominant scrums gave the boys some good possession on the Girling 5m line. The ball was moved, first right and then back to the left wing where Simon “Stabby” Reece was waiting to cross for the first Magor try. The tough touchline kick was converted by number 10, Matt Doddridge.

Girling stayed in the game but around the 20 minute mark received a yellow card for a late seatbelt tackle on Matt Doddridge ticking several boxes on the referees bingo card. Magor tails were well and truly up at this point and perhaps the best passage of play followed with the whole team handling the ball up to the Girling 5m line. Unfortunately though this dazzling play only resulted in a knock on into touch. Girling could have cleared but the ball got back into Magor hands and a penalty for offside at the Magor scrum gave quick thinking Matt Doddridge the opportunity to cross for Magor’s second try and Matt, again, converted.

Girling struck right back though from the restart. A penalty on the Magor 5m line for not rolling away was taken quickly and Girling crossed the whitewash with the conversion bring the score up to Magor 14 – 7 Girling. This is how the first half ended.

Magor began the second half well and were rewarded 10 minutes after the restart with a kickable penalty in front of the posts which Matt Doddridge slotted over to stretch the score to 17 – 7.

The Girling number 10, suffered a head injury shortly after and, with both teams physios attending to him, the game was stopped for a few minutes. Thankfully he walked off under his own steam.

Magor kept pressing, frequently forcing Girling to kick to clear. The aggressive “defence” paid dividends and the ball was turned over through some effective counter rucking to be sent along the back line to the Magor left. The ever present Matt Doddridge looping around to cross for Magor’s third. This time Matt was unsuccessful with the kick. 

The ball barely left the Girling half of the pitch after this but the elusive bonus point try did not come and the game ended Magor 22 – 7 Girling.

Matt Doddridge featured heavily in this game at 10 but the Man of the Match was awarded to tighthead prop Jaden Quinn for a second successive 80 minute game and a dominant Magor scrum. 

Magor: Morgan Davies, Ryan Bedborough, Tom Turner, Greg Turner, Jaxon Morgan, Matt Doddridge, Iestyn Rollings, Lee Cox, Aaron Boardman, Simon Reece, Danny Hodges, Andy Gully, Jaden Quinn, Josh Bufferey, Iwan White

Replacements: Will Jones, Ben Hampson, Chris Doddridge, Rhys Delap, Joel Palmizi, James Clement

Magor Scorers: Tries – Simon Reece, Matt Doddridge x 2, Conversion – Matt Doddridge x 2, Penalty – Matt doddridge

Girling: Tries – 1, Conversions – 1

Referee: Steve Richmond

Attendance: Meh, about 60?

Matchday Programme