2nd XV
Matches
Sat 26 Oct 2019
Trinity RFC
10
10
Old Walcountians RFC
2nd XV
2s draw

2s draw

Heath Bateman28 Oct 2019 - 18:34
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2s draw 10-10 in scrappy, rainy encounter.

The 2nds had the benefit of the elements in the first half. We were immediately on top, especially in the scrum. Props Bees and big Ben Anderson were awesome, and had their front row on toast throughout. Overall our set-piece was terrific, in the line-outs James Deakin took quality ball like a leaping salmon. Hooker Jamie Blackmore was busy, giving us go forward. Tom McMorrow made some scorching breaks. Alex Sutherland (a former 1st team captain) had recently made a welcome return to club colours, and he was trucking it up from number 8.

Mid-way through the first half, we enjoyed a sustained period of pressure. But some missed opportunities, admittedly in vile conditions, and perhaps a bit of white line fever, amazingly still left us scoreless. But that was finally corrected when we drove a line-out, and Harry Hanson crashed over. Fly-half Andy Gill, back from a paternity absence, added the extras. 7-0.

Not long after, unfortunately Harry H was binned for a tip tackle. Perhaps harshly, especially when some minutes earlier, they had clothes-lined one of us in a “tackle”, which was penalised but not carded. But moaning about the ref is never productive.

Towards the end of the first half, unfortunately full back George Shaw worryingly didn’t get up from a ruck, and had injured his neck. Happily he walked off the pitch and seemed to be OK. George Hanson came on in the back row, Tom McMorrow’s speed meant that he was the obvious choice to switch to the backs.

The truth is that we probably failed to capitalise on some opportunities to score more points in the first half. To end the half only 7-0 up, did not reflect our dominance, in territory and possession. Plus we’d be turning around against the wind in the second half.

In the 2nd period, the game was pretty evenly matched. Tommy had been providing good service at scrum half, but Liam Moorhead switched from wing to 9 and bustled around to good effect. Andy Gill got us up the field with some kicks. It wasn’t a day for backs moves, but centre Olly Sanders made some hard, punishing carries. Ted Stoner on the other wing, didn’t get a lot of ball to attack with.

Sadly, after some possession and pressure, Trinity squeezed over with a try. Kick missed, 7-5.

Sam Clark came on for Tom Mc and made a nuisance of himself. Our final change saw Aitor replace Bees at Prop. The scrum kept moving forwards, lovely stuff.

We got back up the pitch, and after several infringements, were awarded a penalty, which Gilly duly slotted over, 10-5.

As the 2nd half progressed, the oppo kicked to good effect, and we found ourselves camped on own line. We managed to pilfer an excellent steal and turnover, but despite clearing, play kept coming back to our 22.

With just three minutes to go, they managed to score another try, to level at 10-10. Hearts in mouths....but happily the conversion hit the post.

In the final seconds, we managed to recover the ball and attack, but were unable to get into the 22, and the ball went out of play. FT 10-10.

As captain TT said in the post-match huddle, it was a sickener, and felt like a loss. To have led for the whole game, only for them to equalise in the last minutes, was agonising. Thanks to all the fellas who turned up and fronted up. Please try to make it to training, boys, so we can work our moves and be more cohesive. We go again.

Match details

Match date

Sat 26 Oct 2019

Kickoff

15:00
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