X-men play exceedingly good rugby against Irish Exiles

Todays side looked even stronger on paper than last week and turned out to be just that. With Dave Watkins and Nicky Davies having a run out and their experience showed and rubbed off on some of the younger lads.

The boys started well and had Irish under the cosh early on, one up tackles and mid field press led by livett was strong, Nimmo and Dan Gilings were as usual hitting everything that moved.
Our scrum was to strong for Irish with some pressure in the scrum and good hands Simmo goes over and converts his own try on 16, 7-0.
At this point the boys get white line fever and everyone thinks he can score from anywhere!
with a few choice words we settle but let in an irish try in off a mistake from us in attack 7-5
Simmo puts a penalty over and Irish get a man in the bin for multiple infringements on the 27th minute. 10-5.
Josh Pankurhursts line out throwing is top draw and he's also causing problems in the ruck, with this sort of pressure it seems like we should score at will but a couple of minor errors in decision making see us have to what till the 40th minute for Josh Livett to go over 15-5

Half time.

From the restart Josh Pankhurst collects in our 22 and sets of bouncing Irish players all over the oche, He gets pulled down with what looked like a high tackle but from that top draw run the boys spin it wide and over goes Birchy on 42, 20-5.
Another restart and deja vu, Pankhurst is off like a kid at Christmas, ball in hand Irish bouncing, spin out wide try Birchy on 43, 25-5
We take our foot of the gas and let Irish in on the 50th minute, 25-10,
We pressure Irish hard again with some immense srummaging and positive tackles, On the 55th minute the pressure told and one Irish lad takes a swing Birchy retaliates like a Brazilian football and takes a swing with his leg, yellow card.
Down to 14 men and the boys step up again and don't let Irish in we spend most of the sin bin in their half.
Birchy back on.
On the 75th minute what for me has to be the best try scored so far this season Harvey Young picks up the ball in our half breaks a tackle hits the next gap, off loads the ball goes through 6 pairs off hands before Harvey who has ran in support collects the ball on goes over in the corner, marvellous. 30-10,

Its good to see players pushing to get back in the 2s Richard and Michael Halstead who both played their part and Dan Gilling also on his second run out this season.
Dave Watkins leading from the front and Josh Pankhurst causing problems.
With some work in training we can be even better than the last 2 games and the players more than anyone know that which is very encouraging. Saying that its still a great win against a side that had threats but weren't allowed to play with the pressure we showed.
Man of the Match Nimmo was all the place and back at his favourite spot of 7.

Well done again and a good victory,

Simon Campbell.