A busy weekend of rugby continued with a trip to Somerset. The sun was out, and the pitch was lush and firm. Besides a stiff, northerly breeze, it was perfect for an open running game, and that was what we got.

After a tense and attritional final on Friday, today, we were able to play more expansively. A few of the lads were doubling up their games and were understandably a bit heavy-legged. Also, Bradford is a very handy outfit: large, fit and skilful. We’d have to bring our best game if we wanted the win.

The early exchanges were physical and evenly contested, with both sides showing enthusiasm for running rugby. Were our energy levels a little below par? Probably after the earlier exertions, but we were still playing some good stuff. From the start, we battered at their line with heavy carries and kept the ball well for multiple phases but were repelled by tenacious defence from the home side.

Eventually, the backs attracted the attention of the forwards, and the ball was spun out. Spotting the narrow defence, Sam threw a long miss pass to Ben S, lurking in the outside channel. He has gas to spare and made the line for the opening score in the corner. With the assistance of the breeze, Sam added the extras from the touchline to continue his kicking streak. 7-0

Our second was much more elegant, and the cause of considerable satisfaction in the coaching department as the move under development recently was executed with pace and precision. Ben, once again, hits the space created by both centres running dummy lines. Genius! 14-0

The half-time interval was focused on improving energy levels in the second period as we were now against the wind and, frankly, had been out-muscled on a few occasions.

The lads were obviously listening as the finishers joined the game and proceeded to up the tempo considerably. Tom S, in his second match of the weekend, was prominent. Dan H, Benji, and Lordy all hit a lot of rucks and ran hard and straight. None harder than Conor, though, who was clattering all attempted tacklers on the occasion of his 18th birthday with the enthusiasm of a man born to carry a ball!

A stolen line out by Ollie rising early at the front was tapped down to Sam, filling in at 9, who flung a bullet pass to the backs. Slick hands and quick feet put Ben into space, and he stepped and swerved his way past the remaining cover to complete his hat trick. 19-0, with Johnnie’s kick falling short on the wind.

A missed tackle in the centre allowed Bradford onto the score sheet but our intensity was starting to wear them down. When Sam H, deputising at inside centre today, ran hard again, there appeared to be fewer willing defenders this time. Can’t say I blame them. He’s a handful when he gets moving! 26-7

The final try was another flowing back move. This time, it was Ollie D racing into space, and he had the pace and strength to hold off the defenders to make the line. Sam thumped the ball hard and low into the breeze, and it scraped over the bar to give him another faultless day off the tee and a final score of 33-7.

The season is drawing to a close with only one final game remaining. What a year it has been with the squad melding their talents to produce some stunning performances. Allez les Pats!

Allez les Pats

Tom Perris