Let their be Hope

What a difference a week can make. Last week all rugby was off and the rain came down. This Sunday the sun was out and we got to play on what could only be described as a great surface considering all the recent rain. That said, this was a hastily arranged fixture thanks to a last minute call from Stanford Le Hope.

Despite the final score this was a great game of rugby played by two very competitive yet fair teams. Being much the smaller side one could have been forgiven for thinking Gs would be slow to get into their stride - how wrong we were. Having discussed prior to kick off the need to keep the ball alive and away from the much bigger Stanford pack, we were entertained to probably the best 15-20 minutes of rugby we have seen this season.

With the addition of Harry N to the pack Gs were first to the rucks and mauls, seizing on any hesitation to get the balls out to the backs. The ball went from side to side and on several ocasions Gs looked to threaten the opposition line.

Stanford as well looked to play a pretty open game using the strong running flanker and large centre pairing to great effect. Notwithstanding the Gs defence was more than up to the task.

The first score can after 10 mins when following a good series of play Gs had advanced into the Stanford 22. From quick ball off the back of a ruck and with numbers outside Gs fly-half (George Br) looked to pass wide dummied and ran betwen the opposition fly-half and centre to score. On a large pitch the conversion sailed betwen the posts.

Stanford came straight back into the game and after a number of good phases went over to score. For Gs this was disappointing as the tackling needed to be lower so that the larger lads couldn't use their strength to get on the front foot.

Gs were not to be outdone though and after another great run from the impressive Banfield Gs scored again to go 12-7 up. The conversion was once again struck well but just wen wide of the post.

Again though Stanford came back into the game as following an injury to the equally impressive Harry N we started to lose shape and move away from the game plan. On one occasion the Gs backs all got sucked in allowing Stanford to score out wide. Conversion scored to take the scores 14-12.

Gs were forced into a couple of substititions and not sure whether it was fitness or the fact thet Stanford were defending very well but all too often we drifted into a game plan which saw the back row pick up the ball and take it on into the larger forwards rather than spin it out wide. This played very much into the Stanford strengths and it was no surpise when they went over for another score.

Gs were still persevering and Banfield again looked odds on to score when a run down the right wing was brought to an end by the impressive but diminutive Stanford full back.

Half time came round and Gs rang the changes. The effect was clearly unsettling but every boy that turned out stuck to their task and kept the game very competitive. Some strange refereeing decisions did not help and from two of these Stanford took advantage and scored. The boys though while down hearted were a credit and battled to the end.

The bone juddering tackle by George Br on the open-side earned him MoM in the backs while Levon earned the forward perfromance of the day thanks to great commitment and some great runs.

Levon also did the club credit in the bar and won the MoM challenge. George is still chewing on his Mars Bar while the Stanford full back was last seen entering the toilet afetr swallowing the back wash !!

A great morning and enjoyed by all.