Good Result for the 2's

A clear sunny day down at Silcock Park saw the mighty 2s take on Preston Grasshoppers 4ths in an epic arm wrestle.
With the toss won, the skipper opted for the maroons to start at the bottom of the hill, sun to their backs as the supporters began to arrive,. The maroons lined up ready for the off - front rowers Sam Barr, Adam Wood and Tom Whittaker looking a mass of front row perfection . The skipper and, the original Mr Versatile, Richard Thornber [pic] in the engine roo. The big surprise was the back row with Austin and straight off the night shift the force that is Harry Barrett looking after wait is that a 9 or a 6 on his back former scrum half Richard few at blindside finally being allowed to play with the big boys.
The young pairing of Campbell and Barraclough in the driving seats outside them a couple of hard chargers in Tom Capstick and Kino ready to do some damage to any defensive line. backed up with a back three of the youngsters luke Rogerson and Henry Thornber and the ever dependable Sam Cheeseman completing the starting xv.
The game started well with a fast pace and huge energy big hits and bigger carries back and forth playing from 22 to 22 with both sides evenly matched ball won an lost equally by both sides. 30 mins in still nil nil something had to give unfortunately it happened to be fewy the flanker that as he nailed the hoppers prop before he could reach full gallop was enough to see him limp off with an already swelling knee. It might of only been 30 ish mins with the big boys but it was a solid outing, rumours abound that at one particular ruck pushed the scrum half in as he called no 9 reverted to type an played an exquisite pass missing 10 an hitting Capstick on a sweet hard line, off he limped in his place fresh faced keen an eager bounding on came Owen Phillips straight in to the action first a big carry then a covering tackle. Hoppers pressing hard camped inside the maroon 22 tackles flying in but to no avail as hoppers found the whitewash no extras added. The maroons hardened the forwards phase after phase 8,9,10 penalty last play of the half to the disgust of the fans watching no kick to touch ball kept in hand 2 more phases Campbell ball in hand little chip kick and Henry Thornber using his speed to get on the end and dot down under the uprights Kino added the extras.
It was hoppers came out firing in the second half putting the maroons under pressure. Kino now off for a rest saw probert on straight in to 10 organising the defence like a military general the 2s rallied heading left big carries by the pack 3 more phases Campbell switched it right and like a fine ballet the backs split the hoppers line ollie b dancing his way through to add to his tally. Hoppers hit back with a quick well worked try almost immediately 12-10 to the maroons 15 to go off went Philips back on Kino but joining the pack this time more brutal heavy carries probert calling for more Kino at the breakdown first picked darted and from five yards out even with three hoppers trying to bring him down wasn’t going to be denied, no extras. Now time to dig deep Hoppers didn’t quit every man making tackles the defence tested, the tank was empty the maroons closed ranks nothing was getting through not today not this time. Turn over probert jinked jived made 20 meters Campbell found Whittaker bounced through the first skipped past the second the young bull heart racing (might of been indigestion from the 2 pre match pies) sat the third down with a subtle hand off 30 meters a prop ball in hand space the look of fear on his face the hoppers fullback a true gentleman came a calling and like all true props went to ground keeping the ball safe like a fresh baked pie hoppers infringed at the breakdown and that was that 17-10 to the mighty 2s in what was an arm wrestle of a game and a great day to be pitchside watching in all its glory. Man of the match without doubt Harry Barrett. Kk