A game of 2 halves

The 2s went away to TJs off the back of two good victories, the game can only be described as a game of two halves.

We came out the blocks strong and defended well around the rucks and our midfield press was also very strong as TJ'S hooker found out in the 3rd minute when Mark Baxter hit him with a crunching low tackle and the lad had to leave the field, as the oppo didn't have a replacement, the remainder of the game featured uncontested scrums, much to the disappointment of Marlon Rainford and Michael Halstead.
We did make hard work of it before Josh Pankhurst put in a good run to go over on the 12th minute 0-5.
From a good restart we worked hard allover the field and kept TJs at bay until Ben Hennah with ball in hand worked himself across the field to score a good individual try on 17, 0-10.
We took our foot of the gas and let TJs in with a well worked moved by them which was straight of the training paddock on 20, 7-10.
The game became scrappy for the balance of the 1/2 but with some good ball carrying by Marlon we looked the stronger of the two sides.
Birchy went over for the first of his tries on the 39th minute, Simmo converted 7-17.

Half time.

After a quick team talk and Gav having to change his boots we decided to get out of 2nd gear, unfortunately the ref didn't exactly see it that way and pinged us on the 43rd for kicking a ball through the ruck 10-17.
Another questionable decision saw Marlon in the bin and and TJs take the penalty in the 48th minute 13-17.
From the side line you could see the boys visibly lift and with Simmo calling the shots some good moves round the corner and a neat side step, Simmo goes over from 22 out, he converts his own try on 55, 13-24.
Marlon back on and the X men go for the jugular, some great ball carrying quick ball and Birchy still has worked to do and goes over on for a good try, Simmo converts on the 60th minute,13-31.
TJs get a lad binned on 65 for what looked like nothing at all.
By this stage the boys are flying ruck ball, quick and well timed passes sees the ball in Brad Kayton's hands who gases his man on the 70th minute 13-36.
Pressure is key and the lads don't let up, with a carbon copy of his first try Simmo goes over again and converts on 75, 13-43.

Full time.

There are a few guys that man of the match could go to Simmo for his two tries and control of the game, Birchy for defence and two tries, Marlon for his ball carrying and constant chat to team mates and the back row Nimmo Giling and Fox hitting rucks and tackling everything that moved. On this occasion it goes to all of you for the way you pulled yourselves around in the second half, stuck to the game plan and structure, also top work in the lineout.

Great result.

Simon Campbell.