Spring is in the air, the sun is shining, the clocks have been put forward and in keeping with the fresh season spirit Straughney has organised a Beer Festival – 7 different flavoured Ales – all from the same pump!! (Some are clear AND drinkable)
Having watched the Coalville squad (there were loads of ‘em) warm up for 40 minutes, the Mods Vets dawdled out a couple of minutes before kick-off, chucked a few careless passes around, jogged slowly back and forth across the 22, left Harry to sort out the toss with Pete the Ref and generally sauntered up to the half way line – no rush. Only 13 players so a couple of Coalville subs – Well done Lads.
….and as usual, the big, well drilled opposition pack thundered into the game, winning the ball and scoring a quick try.
Kick-off again but a bit deeper and by now the old joints were warming up, so Mods took the ball forward and unleashed DamoS in midfield. If not tackled properly, he can be a wrecking ball of a player – very strong.
Damo scored under the sticks – Young Harry converted.
More pressure but an interception from the Coalville centre and a flap of a tackle from the on-loan Mods fullback, allowed a converted try.
The game was in full flow with the Vets pack beginning to boss the opposition around, their big runners being flattened or forced to run sideways – no change out wide either.
Again Damo battered his way through a series of tackles to score under the sticks – drop kick conversion from Young Harry. Cries of “C’mon Dave” rang around the ground every time Rich pounded into the heart of the Coalville defence.
The game was now all in the Coalville 22 and eventually pressure told, allowing Jake to squeeze in for a try.
The Scrim had left his pink dress and smile at home (rumour has it he’s ‘on the turn’ with thoughts of changing his name to Shontayne – ah well, at least he’ll be Hape) and got pinged for a double movement on the try line – perhaps the Ref knows something we don’t – he might be ‘on the way back’!
The Harrys gave The Ref earache all game (can you believe it?), Turbo controlled the Coalville drop-outs to perfection allowing 4 in a row to go dead – magnificent work, whilst Charlie out on the wing showed he still has serious pace and a lightening sidestep – into touch.
Right at the end of the half, Aaron the loan player scored out wide.
Half Time
Mods (Who’s the Daddies?) 24 -v- 12 Coalville
Into the wind and up hill – so instead of playing a percentage game Mods argued with the Ref, threw the ball away, conceded penalties – generally helped Coalville to gain territory and dominate – though they gave nothing away in their own 5 metres and prevented any scores against them. Gradually with The Harrys firing quick ball around and the centres (useful addition in KusaMusa the Coalville Intelligence Sub) making serious yardage, the game was forced back up into the Coalville half. Thommo did loads of work in the dark and nasty places, Coley, belying his 45 million year old label, controlled the front of the lineout, forcing the throw-ins further back where Coalville tried to run off the tail – and got smashed on the gain line as Coley peeled round!
Smart Rugby.
JacoJeff limped off – the old war wound had popped under pressure – uncontested scrums (“at least we’ll win a few balls now” admitted a Coalville forward).
Jim got very upset about several of the Refs decisions (apparently the Laws have changed in the last 15 years)– took a short pass and blasted through to score from 5 metres – that’s the way to do it – Father and Son, try apiece.
Not much left in the game – loads of hard work in midfield allowed the ball to be passed to DaveVaVaVoomery to sprint straight through untouched – before turning round and running twice round a Coalville player who was left dizzy, before dobbing it down.
Man of the Match:
Jim;
Out ‘Reffed’ the Harrys; out ‘Mardied’ Shontayne (The Scrim); Blood bin and Try scorer – Who’s the Granddaddy?
Season tally: Played 9 Won 8 For 268 Against 102
Not bad for a scratch front row and never fielding the same team twice |