The match against Luctonians was selected as the Presidents Day game. President, Trevor Stevenson, elected to promote the day as a charity event to raise funds for the RFU Injured Players Foundation. Shirts designed by Archie Smeaton from the U14s and worn during the match were auctioned during the pre-match lunch and raised about £4000. Thanks to all who bid for the shirts and contributed to a magnificent afternoon.
The benevolence of the day extended on to the pitch (but unfortunately evaporated by the time it reached the far touch!) I’s gave Luctonians far too much of the ball despite dominating the line-out throughout the match and the scrum for the best part of an hour.
If the young Lucs back line had more nous they would have created scoring chances instead of merely testing the defence. Winger Jimmy Norris, in particular, may think he is a flyer but carrying the ball in one hand whilst running laterally troubles few at this level. I’s showed how to score with their first real touch of the ball with a well-constructed try for Sam Wilson, his 16th , and then never considered doing it again!
Two trade-mark forward efforts resulted in a penalty try ( 11 for the season,3rd best scorer) and a try by Adam Thomas who was on the end of a 20m forward drive. I’s were three tries to the good after half an hour and firmly in the driving seat.
From there on in it was all downhill. The final scrum of the half was a portent of things to come with I’s shoved off their own ball. The boiler house was fast running out of steam and when one of the irregulars downed his shovel (with what looked a nasty facial injury) the pack was in trouble.
I’s still refused to effectively utilise the back line, though things improved a bit when Alex Crockett took to the field, too often they chose to kick the ball away to an eager if ineffectual opposition.
Isaac Green produced the one decisive play of the second half, his fine individual effort earning I’s the vital bonus point.
This result means that three straight wins and the title is ours, irrespective of tries scored in the remaining fixtures and anything Ampthill do. I don’t know whether that makes things easier or not, but there is now a week off so hopefully the walking wounded will have time to recover before the trip to Stourbridge who haven’t had the season they were expecting but can be relied on to give us a tough time. So fingers crossed and counting down… four ()… three…