Match Report

"Oh what a joy to watch!" Not only did they get the basics right but everybody clicked all at the same time. After a thoroughly decent warm-up on a beautiful English winter's day the boys were well fired up. Our scout (Mr Linesman) had been watching their A team who were playing immediatley before us and informed us that there was a possibility that the opposition might be a little reluctant to put in the big tackles. After firing up the boys to tackle low - tackle hard; we also encouraged them to run hard at their opposite numbers.

We won the toss and opted to play down hill - good strategy captain! Ruislip kicked off and after gathering the ball and running straight at the opposition it was only a matter of two minutes before some strong forward play saw James Parsons touch down for our first try under the posts which we converted (glad to see that they were taking that message on board as well). What a start! After another four minutes and some more hard driving play from the tight five who were making life tough for the opposition, Morgan Willis touched down to make the score 12-0.

Earlier in the season one of the coaches had told the boys it's the forwards who win the match and the backs who determine by how much - this advice was really beginning to tell as James Parsons crashed through a number of tackles for his second try under the posts. Tom Dark converted again to make it 19-0 . However, it didn't take long to work out that Ruislip did have at least one secret weapon - the BFG (all 6' 3" of him). He gathered the ball from a line-out and after swatting our boys aside like King Kong on a walk in Central Park and the odd hand-off in the face (which incensed one of the HRFC coaches) he crossed the line and they were back in the game 19-7. The boys clearly weren't going to let this get them down and it wasn't long before a few more driving rucks and mauls and blindside breaks by the loose trio and HRFC were back down in the opposition 25m.

Then Nathan Jones ripped the ball and fought his way over for a diving try to make the score 24-7.

The BFG wasn't happy with this and two minutes later with several boys trying to tackle him, he handed them off and we finished the first half 24-12.

HRFC were edging ahead nicely but it was time to remind the boys what happened last time we were in front - don't get complacent. The whistle blew for the start of the second half and with the backs having played well in the first half but not having shared any of the spoils it was time for them to get a bit of the action - with one minute gone Marcus Webb made a break and with some superb passing between the backs Sam Stewart made it 29-12.

The BFG wasn't happy and with some good strong running and support from his forwards he broke wide and with several boys hanging off him like leeches he crossed the line to score his hatrick - good effort. The score moved to 29-19. But the HRFC forwards came back strongly and again it was the loose trio who combined superbly well and after several rolling mauls it was time for Captain and No 8 Conor Spicer to drive over for a well-deserved try. The backs were really feeling left out at this stage and it was time to set the record straight - they were actually as good as the forwards they just needed the ball. Following a set scrum Woody went blind and full back Charlie Colenutt joined the line in a very adventurous manner and broke a number of tackles before scoring a spectacular try making it 39-19. The game was more or less won by this stage so it was time to give everyone a game. So on came all the subs - it was as though they had been playing the whole game they just slotted in and kept piling on the pressure. After 20 minutes more driving play and feeding off each other it was time for Tom White to score a converted try making the score 46-19 (the front three had now all scored - magnificent effort!).

Not to be outdone and realising that time for his turn to score a try was running out Tom Dark pounced on the ball as the Ruislip fly half stumbled and made the score 51-19. Was there time for another surely not? As all parents were relishing their childrens' hard earned win, Conor Spicer suddenly found himself in his own 25m with ball in hand racing down the touch line (and even leaving the linesman in his wake!) It was his turn to do some 'swatting' and after breaking through two tackles and with Ruislip defenders hard on his heels he scored what was probably the best individual try of the game (as well as making it a brace).

I've said it once but happy to say it again "it was an impressive win where everyone played their part but the credit must go to the forwards who created a strong platform (and scored 8 tries between them)".

Head Coach

Jonathan Edwards

M: 07979 595933

Admin:

Peter Woodthorpe

M: 07831 269597