| 2nd XV 'A' v 2nd XV 'B': 14-34 |
|
|
| Written by Aaron Dudley | |||||||
| Tuesday, 22 April 2008 | |||||||
|
Usually, internal games tend not to merit much attention once they're over. But this game is an exception to that rule. Shipston had pulled out and the 26 or so players left with nothing to do on a Saturday afternoon decided to play against each other before breaking out the beer. I for one am glad we did. These games usually coincide with a number of injuries as some people take it more seriously than others. Not so in this case. The intensity with which these guys played matched any other competitive game in terms of commitment. This was not a best vs. the rest game either, but a genuine attempt to create an even game. The B team scored first, honours going to one Nick Bingham, recently returning from a long standing and totally legitimate wrist injury. The South Warwickshire prop ended up at the bottom of a superb rolling maul, began after a catch, set and drive following a lineout inside the A team’s 22. The second try come courtesy of Benoit battering his way over after a quick-tap penalty. The Frenchman showed true Gallic disregard for the rules and was a constant thorn in the A-team’s side, earning a few gentle taps for his exploit’s at the bottom of many a ruck. Capitalising on this momentum, the B side crossed again with Chris Bishop ducking, weaving and eventually stumbling over the try line to score a good individual effort. Conversions were not to be Jamie Browns day, but the birthday boy (no one had the guts to ask him how old) made up for it in the loose with some traditionally Brownesque runs both sides of the half time whistle. The fourth try was scored by the B Team scrum half and acting captain for the day (ie, me). Said scrum half took a quick tap penalty, breaking past the defenders with one or two above average side steps. Conversion duty successfully went to Trev, playing only his second game at full back. Half time score OL’s B’s 22 OL’s A team 0. It is a feature of Old Leamingtonian teams that we perform better after the break, this game being no deviation from this tradition. The A-team finally gave their name sake a nod and began in the style of BA Barracus; all guns blazing. Taking advantage of the wind and a more experienced pack, the A’s peppered the back three and forced the lineout’s. Several rolling mauls later and Paul Towey was given the opportunity to dance his way through the B-team back line. A conversion later and it was more of the same, this time Ian Maul bursting through. Showing some grit, the B-team upped the ante and came back fighting. The back three dropped deeper and began to run the ball out as opposed to kicking it, taking away the A-teams lineout advantage. The experience of Andy Hall and the boot of Dave Brooker (John Eales eat your heart out) kept the B team pinned down. However, the B’s made good on the possession they had with outside centre Gary crossing after some scintillating! build up play, Trev successfully converting. It wasn’t long before the B’s scored again, this time Benoit finishing off a lovely period of play. The B’s backline made good on position and ball generated by a rampant Nick Bingham who saw fit to dummy a Paul Towey who will NEVER be allowed to forget it. Slipping the ball to Jamie Brown who took it on before releasing an extremely unselfish ‘me’ who in turn passed it to Benoit, ensuring the score. Trev converted to make it 3 out of 4 kicks. The game finished with the A team beginning again to exert the same pressure it had created at the start of the half. A thoroughly enjoyable experience for all concerned (hopefully). Special mentions to Shane "The Fat Doorman" Tilsley for his Bingo-esque squeals following some intricate rearranging of his manhood, and also for his continuing development as prop. Liam Jones, for whom we should all be grateful in ensuring that the intensity and vigour was maintained throughout the game. Luke Cobb showed the potential he has when he decides to run direct. French Tony and Cookie for sheer work rate and determination alone. The confrontation between Ricky Kular and Woody must have been good, though I suspect the lanky Welshman just edged the gobby barman. I know I’ve mentioned Nick’s dummy once already, but seriously Paul he’s a prop! Ollie Wright again demonstrated his curious ability to pop out of rucks and mauls, ball in hand and a very determined expression on his face. The B team back row of Benoit and Dean deserves special mention, as together they didn’t allow one quick or clean release of the ball for a thoroughly annoyed Andy Hall. Neil Hall again showed the w! hole world what happens if you make the silly mistake of running directly at him, giving promising young winger Rich Linfield the big sit down. Ian Maul and Paul Salvin did well with the possession they had. Chairman Dave Brooker saw fit to come and show us all how to do it properly, mixing it up well from second row. Rugby was the winner here, and it is good to see the strength in depth that this club has. Let us all hope that the positives from this game can be taken into the next season.
|
|||||||
| Next > |
|---|
