Discipline, that was the key word this game. Discipline at the breakdown, discipline in executing our game plan and discipline in accepting the Refs decision whether we agreed with it or not.
We knew what Fullers would do as all Fullers sides do stick it up their jumper and batter us up front they are always a big side. With hardly any backs available we had to put four forwards out of position myself at scrum half, young Ross at fly half, Brittle bones Crompton at inside centre and little Dan out on the wing.
The scrum welcomed the return of Tanner and Wilding in the front row with Grey. Baker was back from his RAF selection and with Kingsford injured from his school match Dom Bunce slipped up to second row. The back row, the Scarecrow (Thraves), Rag Doll (Lines) and Bone Breaker Maile (looking extremely worse for wear) was a well experienced back row about 130 years between them.
We kicked off and kept the down in their half with good tackles flying in. We were struggling in the scrum a big weight difference showing. The ball was being hooked straight out the back which was probably a good thing as the scrum was flying backwards. We used the back line Jermaine cutting inside and outside Little Dan got in right in the corner for this first try. A good start we pinned a fullers back again and they started to stray off side and hands in the ruck. We got a p[penalty on the right hand side of the pitch Ross kicked it wide but it landed in play. Fullers just watched as Joe Baker came steaming through to land on it, Try. Discipline you play what's in front of you till the Ref blows the whistle.
The no. 4 had hit me late a couple of times but I was trying to keep up with play so had no time to moan at the Ref but he had spotted it and took us back for a penalty. I gave the ball to Jim and said go, he was tacked within 2 yards we appealed for another penalty but the Fullers players seemed to stop and Crompton kept going to score. Disciple play to the whistle that's what we had talked about before the game even if you make a mistake, a knock on, you play to the whistle.
Fullers worked hard and got a penalty. The backs were really flowing now another great run from Crompton held up just short. Craig Rawlings was at the back of the rock and no way was he going to let me have the ball so he picked and we drove over for another try. The line out was struggling a bit at the start but started to work and we used full lineouts to give the backs some room. Richard Winder on the wing coming close a couple of times. Ross and Crompton were drawing players in giving Jermaine room to run through resulting in a great try.
Second half anything Fullers kicked over the back Rawlings was running it straight back at them.Fullers must have had a good team talk because the first ten minutes of the second half they kept it light and mauled it. They had had injuries but the players coming on seemed to be bigger. Another try from Craig another try from Jermaine both players now really enjoying running .
A bit of hand bags had started and Fullers pack were getting wound up and drove us 10 metres back in the scrum. They got the put in and did the same again which resulted in us winning the ball when it popped straight out the back. The number 4 got binned for a high tackle. We had a scoring penalty chance but choose to run it Craig going straight through the biggest player to score again.
To seal a well earned victory. I feel I should mention my Box kick which seemed to be the man talking point down the club. Unknown to most people I have been coaching the box kick for years down the club. Trev, Wynn and Casey all benefiting from my vast experience, we had a ruck set up all forwards in it backs near our twenty two ,the backs were out of position. Everyone was expecting one of my 80 yard box kicks I decided to kick it up and slightly backwards knowing their winger would take it near touch, I then used my strength to usher him out to gain an attacking line out from which the rest of the team would be able to take advantage. A good call I thought. Its very difficult to master the kick off the skin in this was so I will be running kicking clinics in the summer for any one interested.
Man of the Match: Everyone
Trys: Joe Baker 1
Crompton 1
Dan Molenaux 1
Craig Rawlings 3
Jermaine 2
Conversions: Ross Court 4
Kevin Lynch 1
Team
Richard Wilding, Michael Grey, Richard Tanner, Dom Bunce, Joe Baker, Tony Maile, Rob Lines, Kevin Lynch, Ross Court, Richard Winder, Jim Crompton, Jermaine, Dan Molaneux, Craig Rawlings.
Subs: None
Richard Wilding, Michael Grey, Richard Tanner, Dom Bunce, Joe Baker, Tony Maile, Rob Lines, Kevin Lynch, Ross Court, Richard Winder, Jim Crompton, Jermaine, Dan Molaneux, Craig Rawlings.
Subs: None