Sheffield Oaks 8-22 Halifax Vandals

Man of the Match - Bully who again piled the pressure on their backs causing them all sorts of trouble.
Golden Moment -Jack's bullocking run from full back.
D.O.D - This was going to go to the ref until we saw the picture below. Once again it's Bonzo! Not so much for pulling out of the game with man flu, but for turning up dressed as a condom.
 
Quote of the Day - Referee after the game... 'Sorry I didn't give you that try.'  ...... Cheers mate.
Division Five Rules - Rule No.42: Every team is permitted to field one player, preferably in the second row, who is allowed to consistently cheat, stamp on, and punch the opposition whilst remaining invisible to referee. Except Sheffield Oaks, referee's are asked to punish Andy Selkirk whenever possible.

 

I would love to write an indepth report on the game but I have a terrible hangover and am really tired... I will do my best.

 

After some initial controversy with the pitch condition the game managed to get underway on time.   After a decent start Oaks muscled up to Vandals aggressive forwards and showed Vandals that we weren't going to be a walk over.  With our scrum half out and our hooker away we were always at a disadvantage from the outset and were going to have to work harder.  Unfortunately this was to show when we struggled to win a lineout and lost a number of scrums against the feed giving Vandals a bigger share of the ball. It was only some great scrapping for the ball and commitment at the breakdown which not only kept us in the game but gave us a real chance of winning. Unfortunately our early work was undone when a good backline move saw Vandals run one into the corner. Not phased by this early setback Oaks got back in Vandals faces.  Consistently we put pressure on the Vandals No 9 and 15 forcing errors and pushing them back deep into their own half.  Finally Jim got in range and fired one over to keep us in touch.  Once again we put the pressure on were rewarded when Tom charged down their kick and dived on it for a try to put us 8 -7 up.  This was the last official score that we were to make.

 

In the second half Vandals changed their game play which relieved the pressure on their No 9 allowing them more time and to use thier back line more effectively.  After a blatant cheat from Vandals touch line runner Vandals through a series of kicks put themselves in a great position to drive over from a lineout which they did to put them ahead again. After they put a penalty over shortly after they were 15 - 8 up.  After a quick shuffle in the forwards the scrums started to come together and we started winning a lineout or two.  digging our heels in we mounted some great attacks that Vandals only just managed to hold out.  1 minute before teh end with only needing a converted try to draw we were camped on their tryline and after a good number of attepts we pushed over for a great try next to the posts.  The only person who didn't seem to see this was the ref who susequently disallowed it.  Frustratingly close we then had a series of quick taps and scrums centimeters from their line.  Unfortunately the pressure was too much for Frets who fumbled it at the last and allowed them to kick it clear and follow it up for a run away try.

 

Once again an exciting game but very unlucky not to get a draw which would have been not only a great result but a fair one too.  Unluky but well done!!