Rochford Rams (5) - Ilford III (17)

The start of the match got under way on dark and miserable Saturday afternoon that got rapidly worse. Both teams were pretty evenly matched in forwards and backs and this showed in the passage of play. Despite the poor weather there was some good open play from both teams.
It was however The Rams who had the first glimpses of a score. Approx 20 mins into the game, the Rams were given a penalty just inside the home team half. Dave Isaacs stepped up and signalled the ref that a 'pop at goal' was on the cards. He placed the ball onto the tee and took up position behind it, the wind was blowing diagonally across the pitch but this did not deter 'Tubby', with a short run up, the ball left the tee and flew towards the uprights. On another day this would have sailed over but today the Wind God was with the home team and the ball fell short of target.
Play continued and each side had their fair share of the ball. The next chance of scoring again went to Rochford. The forwards securing a scrum played the ball to Dave Prosser who off loaded to Dave Isaacs. Dave drew his man and passed to Wally MacAlpine, who sliced through the opposition taking a couple of players with him. He released the ball to Mike O'Connor who had come on to replace Trev Barton on the wing. (Trev had just returned to the team after an injury 3 weeks ago and within 10 minutes of play was injured again ... why do we do this to ourselves?). Anyway, Mike charged forward, the opposition Fly Half, (all 6'4 of him and weighing about 9 stone soaking wet) came at Mike. A straight arm under the chin soon put the guy on his backside, only the winger now stood in the way from a certain try. (This guy was even smaller than the last and with Mike in 'ramming speed' mode the likely-hood of this player stopping him was remote). The chance to carry out this action was cut short by a loud blast from the refs whistle who deemed the pass from Wally to have gone forward, "RUBBISH" !
The end of the first half ended in a 0-0 draw.
The second half started with the rain getting heavier and heavier. The home team now had the wind in their favour and used it to their advantage at every opportunity. Rochford were under the cosh and found it difficult to get out of their half. A scrum on the Rams 22 was won but the ball was hacked back and shot through the legs of the 2nd row and the No8. Ilford were first to react, and with the ball skidding towards the Rams touch line, the home team standoff scored outside the Rams posts. The try was converted and Ilford went into a 7-0 lead.
A good kick off from Dave gave the forwards and wing time to get up into the faces of the home team. However, Ilford using the wind kicked over the top, with the slippery conditions and a little luck they were again over the Rams try line within 5mins. Ilford 12 Rochford 0.
Rochford now picked themselves up and started to play some decent rugby. The Rams found themselves inside the opposition 5m line and were awarded a scrum. All the pack united as one and pushed Ilford back. The try line was within sight and with Russ Clarke marshalling from the rear the pack walked the ball over the line ready to put downward pressure onto the ball. Ilford 12- Rams 5.
The Rams were getting a head of steam up now and morale was returning. The play went back and forth, the rain got heavier and the day got darker. Less than 5 mins to go and Rochford were on their own 5m line with a lineout to Ilford. The throw in was taken at the front of the line, a beautiful blocking action that could have graced any American football game was not seen by the ref ! This led to a try in the corner by the Ilford forwards.
The game soon ended and Ilford had won the day. Well done to them, Final score 17-5.
No excuses from the Rams changing room. All the guys played well. Well done to the following people; Trev for turning up while not 100% fit, Kev Anderson for playing on with a neck injury, Nic Brownlee for stepping in to the outside centre position, Gary T. for doing the collection in my absence, Dave Prosser for sorting out the shirts.
Also to Kev Hughes, John Johnson and Johnny Archers young 'un for turning up to support. Thanks to all of you...

Regards Mike O.