DRYBROOK TRIES 2

DRYBROOK CONVERSIONS 1

DRYBROOK PENALTIES 0

OLD PATS COLTS TRIES 2

OLD PATS COLTS CONVERSIONS 1

OLD PATS COLTS PENALTIES 1

As ever the opposition were powerfully constructed and, as usual, the game plan would be to move them around. However, under a freezing, grey sky and with the pitch already soft and cut up, it wouldn’t be easy to manage.

We were lacking a lad or two at the start of the match , time-keeping not being-a strength, or bringing all your kit with you, it seems!

However, we had a strong looking line up and we made it to full strength shortly after the start so no harm done. We kicked deep and the receiver promptly dropped it allowing us to exert early pressure. Unfortunately, we too knocked on. It was going to be that sort of day. A turnover in midfield, Charlie H ripping the ball away in a tackle, gave Barney some spaces to run. He spotted the gap ahead in the defence and went through it at pace. He reached the posts untouched by the defence and Sam had the simple task of chipping the conversion over for a 7-0 lead.

We should have learned from the tone of the pre match briefing that no nonsense would be tolerated from the referee and he was true to his word awarding us an extra ten yards which allowed Sam to kick us into the corner. Expecting us to try and maul, the defence was narrow but we went wide instead with some nice hands putting Sam S in for a try in the far corner. The mud precluded a successful kick though. 12-0.

On Drybrook’s first entry into our 22, a penalty for not rolling away allowed them to kick into the bottom corner. Their lads used their considerable power to, eventually, force over despite some excellent defence. A good kick from quite wide and it was 12-7.

Olly D got in at the end of another move and drove towards the line with defenders hanging off him. It looked like he’d got the ball down, but it was just short, and the chance was lost.

A series of penalties for high tackles followed with, eventually, a yellow card shown to Drybrook followed shortly after by one for us for the same offence. Both teams down to 14 at half time and we went to 13 shortly after the restart as a straight red was shown for another high shot. “Harsh” was the opinion of most of us, including the opposition coach but the ref had given fair warning so we had to rearrange ourselves.

Poor old Ben and Matt played a merry dance coming on and off multiple times as we needed a prop for the scrums but Ben’s pace for our depleted defence.

We were under the cosh somewhat and really didn’t help ourselves as a string of penalties against us prevented us mounting any real attacks. At last we made some ground and entered their half. A penalty, this time in our favour, and a bonus ten yards for chat put us in range and Sam slotted the kick to stretch our lead to more than one score.

Drybrook came back at us, once again assisted by our indiscipline with several penalties, and eventually crossed for their second try. The kicker slipped in the mud and dragged the kick wide though. 15-12 with not long left. Could we hold out?

It seemed like time had slowed down, indeed all our watches showed we’d gone several minutes past the scheduled finish but the clock had been off for a while due to injuries. Once again they were camped in our 22 and had a 5 meter line out.

A huge defensive effort saw their maul shunted into touch and, at long last, the final whistle was blown.

Relief mingled with celebration and a hard-fought win was ours. Sometimes the victory is all that matters. We’ll play prettier rugby when the sun comes but a gritty performance was what was needed today and we got over the line, just.

Allez les Pats!

Tom Perris