Oakham 24-12 Mannerians

Mannerians lost twice in succession for the first time this season, as the first round of matches came to a close at Oakham, who pushed the Derbyshire side down a further place into 4th. Bakewell can be pleased with a second half performance that pushed the home side all the way, and know that with an 80 minute contribution to the match, may have come away with more than the nothing that ultimately fell their way.

Mannerians were forced into a couple of late changes, when Martin Pierce was unavailable to travel. This saw Paul Webster moved to the unaccustomed position of front row with Ali Gregory moving into the second row, with James Turner taking over in the back-row. A 30% fit Henry Lofthouse travelled to bench. The only change in the backs saw Ali Crawford return at full-back in place of Gav Portier.

It was by far the coldest afternoon of the season and Mannerians found themselves under constant early pressure in the scrums and had to defend time and time again. The home side opting to scrum from an early penalty showed the confidence they had when a kick at goal was a certainty. Having kept the home side out they duly opted for the 3 point option which the fly half knocked over for a 3 points to nil lead after 10 minutes.

When Bakewell got their hands on the ball they played some useful rugby. The forwards were making carries through the likes of Dave Boam, Ali G and Ben Furness. The lineouts were functioning well given the difficult conditions, although the backs were finding it difficult to penetrate their opposition line due to persistent offside, and with the referee, donned in a ski mask so he could allegedly see what was happening, was clearly getting steamed up due to the nature of the weather.

The next score went the home-side’s way when a missed tackle in midfield allowed the second row to burst through and off-load to his support runner to go in under the posts for a seven point score after 20 minutes. 10-0

Bakewell’s best bit of rugby nearly brought them a score down the blind side when good work from Ethan Bagshawe, Sean Driscoll and James Turner, saw the latter just held up short.

Mannerians suffered a major blow shortly after when Dan Driscoll had to leave the field injured. This saw a re-shuffle with Henry Bagshawe moving into the back row and Gav Portier coming into the centres. Bakewell were now on the back foot, and from a series of further scrums on their 5 metre line, the referee awarded a penalty try when the visitors were ruled to have infringed. With the conversion added, the side were up against it, but unlike in previous years, they knew there was still plenty to play for in the second half. 17-0.

Having opted to retreat to the changing room at half-time, more in an attempt to warm up than anything else, Mannerians came out a different side. Strong running and defence kept the team on the front foot for large periods, and the sides superior fitness was starting to tell. Realising they were struggling in the backs somewhat, fly-half and captain Will Moroney urged his forwards to make the initial carries into the heart of their opposition. This they did manfully with the likes of Paul Webster, Sean Driscoll, Will Brocklehurst and James Turner particularly prominent.

Despite being held out for the first 20 minutes of the half, a moment of individual brilliance saw a rampaging Tom Crapper score a great try for the second week in a row. With the conversion added Mannerians knew they were within a score of at least a bonus point. 17-7

Paul Webster had to leave the field after a nasty scrum collapse, to be replaced by Henry Lofthouse.

The next score was going to be crucial and unfortunately it went to the home side, when a well worked backs move saw the full-back hit the line at pace and go in unopposed for a converted score that pushed the scoreline out to 24-7.

Once upon a time Mannerians would have caved in and let the opposition score the 4th bonus point try. But not this new determined, committed side! They continued to throw everything at the home side, and when James Turner was unfortunate to see a try ruled out for being held up when he was the bottom player in the pile, Mannerians continued to press. From a kick to the corner Bakewell caught and drove, which saw Dave Boam emerge from the pile with a well deserved score for his individual and his packs performance. There was still 5 minutes to search for a losing bonus point. 24-12

Bakewell threw everything at it and when Boam made another break through the opposition it took a good covering tackle to prevent the score. When the ball was recycled and moved wide an unfortunate knock-on saw the game brought to an end and Mannerians finished with no points to take home before the festive break.

Despite losing the last two matches, the players should be rightfully proud of their efforts to date. Less than a year ago they’d shipped 81 points against Oakham. The club is in as high a spot as they’ve ever been at this point in a season, and have already accumulated 35 points – they finished 6th last season with a total of 56. The side have the second highest points scored in the league, and have the third tightest defence (last season they had the 5th worst defence in the league). This clearly shows the progression that has been made by coach Mark Burnett and his side. With players returning from injury after Xmas, selection will be tough, but in the scheme of things that can only be seen as a positive for the club as a whole.

A number of players have come on massively this season, and are clearly enjoying their rugby.

There is a magnificent camaraderie amongst the players, as the bus journey home from Oakham showed, and it’s been an absolute pleasure to be their captain. We’ve shown what we can do on the pitch, and know that we can push on again in the second half of the season. The pressure’s on the teams above now to hold their postions – Bakewell are coming!!!!

There’s a 3 week break from league action now – the side begin 2012 with a home game against Belgrave on the 7th Jan, 2.15pm kick-off.

There is though of course the festive Boxing Day match which will see an under 30s first team take on an over 30’s side (with the remainder of the under 30’s for moral support). Weather permitting kick-off will be at 12pm on the Showground.

Mannerians: Furness, Driscoll S, Webster (Lofthouse), Driscoll D (Portier) (Ashton), Gregory, Brocklehurst, Turner, Boam, Bagshawe E, Moroney (c), Crapper, Bagshawe H, Duncan, Oldfield, Crawford

Scorers:

Tries: Crapper, Boam

Conversion: Moroney