Was this the sun peeping through the clouds for the first time in weeks? Surely an omen of good things to come as the boys ran out against Bredon Star. We’d have to work for it though as today’s opposition are large and well drilled.

Happily, we had a fast and dynamic team available despite a few bangs and withdrawals after school games yesterday. The messages from the coaching team were energy and accuracy. One of those was more in evidence than the other but the boys were up for it.

We started fast with several phases interchanging play between backs and forwards carrying us into attacking territory. All was looking promising until one offload too many fell into opposition hands and an interception try resulted in us falling behind against the run of play.

Some stray hands in a ruck gave us a penalty and Hoggy used his boot effectively to place us deep in the corner. The catch and drive worked well, sucking in defenders leaving space for the skipper, lurking in the first receiver channel, to power over near the posts. 7-7.

Langers, playing in the centre today, linked well and made ground at pace. Several more phases piled on the pressure and, once more, captain MSJ was in the right place to reach the line despite some heavy resistance. 14-7.

Bredon began to muster their big carriers but our tackling was resolute and we held out. A series of misdemeanours spotted by the official spoiled their momentum and Charlie H was disrupting their lineout on a regular basis giving us field position and relief from the pounding of their pack.

A 50/22 put us back under the cosh, however but, time and again, our line held out.

14-7 at half time and the game in the balance. A series of penalties and some unwise offering of advice to the official by the opposition gave us some opportunities but we were unable to capitalise. Despite our maul working well, we opted to take ball off the top of the line out which, mostly, resulted in putting pressure on our half backs.

At full-back today, George E was prominent with some lovely kick returns and quick feet in the traffic. But he wasn’t the only one fronting up, the entire team were fully committed and they had to be. Bredon continued to pound us and it looked like we’d have to concede points at some stage. Finn J put in an incredible tackle to force what looked like a certain score into touch whilst Woody and MSJ both retrieved possession under huge pressure to allow temporary relief.

The physicality rose progressively and the half continued to be attritional with both sides playing some good stuff without being able to move the score board. Camped in our own 22 for what seemed like hours, the final whistle arrived to a resounding cheer from the travelling support. We’d held on for a deserved victory and a buoyant changing room celebrated accordingly.

Not perfect but a great team effort by the entire squad. On to next week. Allez les Pats!

Tom Perris