Faced with our biggest challenge in the league this season, a “must win” match and several of our strong players unable to play, Paul and Simon as stand-in coaches asked the boys to pull out all the stops and play their best rugby and that’s exactly what they did! The most satisfying aspect was seeing how well the boys played as a team, with the Forwards winning the ball and getting it out for the Backs to score.

The tries were scored by Joe Ribton, Cieren Hoban, Mathew Stevens (2 tries), Jamie Barr and James Wakefield. Two tries were converted (Seb Elledge & Thomas Cooper).

The Forwards

With Luke starting the game with an ankle injury and Adi being taken off following a nasty blow to the back, this was not the first 10 minutes our forwards hoped for (against our well drilled competitors). Fortunately, Joe Ribton (a WMD!) had joined us for the game, so he didn’t remain a sub for long. Our scrums, line-outs and rucks were much better but we need to practice our mauls, as this is where we lost the ball a few times. It’s difficult to single out anyone in particular because all the forwards played very well as a unit but Joe, Tom and James were highlighted for their contribution and their ability to fend-off the competition!

The Backs

The saying goes that the forwards win a match and the backs decide by how many. That was certainly true today as, once Joe Ribton had bludgeoned over for the first try the next five were scored by the backs. It was fabulous to see the back line look so solid in each position and enjoying the perfect conditions for running rugby.

It all started when Cieran snuck in for a typical scrum half’s try to take the score to 10 – 0 at half time. Seb Ellidge had another strong game at fly-half, cutting in only once in the second half – at the right time – but otherwise launching the backs on a number of tidy links or chipping the ball over the top. TC was the classic reliable inside centre, either passing the ball down the line or tackling Kingston’s largest back, and Matt Stevens (two tries) has gone from strength to strength in recent weeks, relishing the ball in hand and bursting through the line on a number of occasions. The wings had their opportunities too. Rory Page was solid and, after last week’s match award, Jamie MacDonald’s confidence is clearly brimming as he made good runs in both halves, all round the outside. It was a treat to have Jamie Barr as our roving substitute; taking turns on the wing, at full back and scrum half and scoring a try when in support of a typical Tom Waters battle-charge. James Wakefield was at his sparky best, rewarded with the final try. Conversions were scored by Seb Ellidge and Thomas Cooper – the latter snatching the ball off Seb for the last kick of the game in front of the posts!

It starts at 0-0 again next week but there should be every opportunity to have great fun if we keep the ball alive and trust our superior ball handling skills. However, Kingston should not be underestimated and will come to Barham Road next week seeking revenge. We’ll be waiting!

Thanks to Paul & Simon for coaching and supplying the match report.