Stevenage vs Welwyn Players Match Report

Stevenage 10 - Welwyn 15

Saturday started, waking up keen as mustard having gone to bed before 10pm, which must have been the same for everybody else as we all found our way in time, another poor day for the fine sock, although Luke's sandals helped raise some funds.

The team's morale could not be dampened by the fact we were changing in Porta cabins left over from when the Lister Hospital was built, although we did have the luxury of en-suite facilities. Sarah looked motivated strapping the team even after the realisation of where Dave Haywood was heading to drop the kids off.

A friendly pre-match chat with the Ref. ensued over the finer points of the game, a fellow front rower, things were looking up, spirits lifted and a good warm up followed. With plenty of discussion about postcodes - is an SG postcode worse than AL? It was looking that way, until Biffa (not being biased) reminded us of Chrisa's LU code. No contest, it lifted Stevenage up from single mum-dom.

With each of us recording our predicted scores on a sheet (everyone stating win), a pre-match buzz was upon us and 15 finely tuned Rugby players came running out followed by a couple of front row a few yards behind.

We did not get the end we were looking to start from, so were playing down the slope. With an assertive blow of his whistle the Ref. started the match. Welwyn promptly forced Stevenage to concede a line out within their 22. The leaping salmon Kitten caught the ball towards the back of the line following a marksman like throw from Banksie, and was driven at warp speed towards the try line. We broke from the back of the maul, passed to Banksie who knocked on (who am I to argue with a Ref's decision?), before Biffa went over the line to have a try disallowed.

With two powerful sets of forwards facing each other, the first scrum was key. Banksie who was born with his knees back to front (as the weekly pre-match knee reconstruction proves) took it against the head, allowing us to attack the mid field. The ball was recycled and with a sublime up and over kick picking out Jonno on the burst from Garthy. We got the only points of the half.

Inspired by a firm but fair team talk from Pete at half time, Dave Morton (sorry Orton) once again proved he will not go down for anyone, yet alone big men in green shirts, burst through more tackles than I can count up to. Leading the way for a gritty second half performance, which saw Kitten break through with a good off load to Dave for another try. Converted by Gareth for a 12-0 lead. Stevenage's frustration showed and they gave away a penalty a few minutes later, converted again by Mr Hughes.

Stevenage tried to claw their way back into the game but were frustrated by good tackling, there was a knock on. A good scrum from Welwyn put the opposition under pressure and saw us clear our lines. Stevenage wanting to have the last word butted in giving me a well-earned break. LDB cried at the thought that it might have been him. Spurred on by a team mates emotion, I rejoined the affray thanks to Sarah.

Even with Stevenage scoring a late couple of assists the final score was 15-10. Thank you to all the people that contributed valiantly to getting the job done, and for the patience waiting for another team to change.

Jules

PS

Pete often tells us not to drink before a league game but I can tell you a few well-timed Stellas before the return match will be just the job!