The fourth team entertained Syston 3’s(?) this week at Derby road. Although they are placed 2 leagues above us in division 1 with the Loughborough 3rd team (current champions thanks to their win over Market Harborough 2’s, well done guys a great season!) we have had many great games against them in the last few seasons. Saturday was to be no exception.
With no games for the 1’s and 2’s this week we were able to draft in 4 players who have been playing at a higher level this year and it was much appreciated. Syston were able to do the same and managed to get half of the second team to turn out for the 3’s. This may not sound like the best scenario for the mighty 4’s, but we do like a challenge and playing a team 2 leagues above us, and with as we like to say ‘ringers’ in the side, Syston were going to go back to Queninborough knowing they had been in a game.
The main changes this week were in the backs which have been a major problem for Pete Conner all season, the regular backs this week being captain marvellous, Ian Henry, Timmy Campbell and stand in winger Sam Knight.
The first 35 minutes were pretty un watchable for your faithful reporter, however this is not a reflection on the game and just due to the fact that I was still in the car travelling to the match! On arrival though I was told that the game wasn’t as one sided as it maybe should have been on paper. The scrummaging had been a tad one sided to start with but the problem was soon rectified and the game was panning out fairly even. Half time score was 7-17 to Syston 2’s/3’s, with the Loughborough scorer being Ian Henry. I was told by one person it was a charge down and by about 10 others that the clearing kick bounced off of Ian’s belly and fell conveniently over the line for him to fall on.
The second half saw Systons backs come into their own. With missed first tackles happening along the whole defensive line another 4 trys were ran in by the visitors. However Timmy Campbell did manage another try for ‘Boro picking the ball up from the floor and finishing excellently.
On the positive side, if the fourth team managed to compete the way that we did on Saturday in our remaining fixtures then we will have a good end to the season. Although the score line was 37-12 to the visiting team, the 4’s can hold their heads high after a very competitive and hard fought game.
A slight Redpath moment in the changing rooms for Mr Jones has to get a mention. “Where are my keys? I left them on the shirts!” After turning the kit bag inside out and searching the changing rooms, it turns out they were in the back pocket of his jeans! Thats 5 minutes of the 4th teams lives we won’t get back!
A few serious issues to bring up.
Players dinner on 27th April, please bring your £15 on Saturday to make sure of a place and a good turn out for the 4’s.
Saturday is a huge, huge game against Lutterworth 3’s in the league. We lost at their place earlier in the season and we don’t like to lose to lutterworth in the 4th team. Pete Connor is out for the foreseeable future so a scrum half is needed on Saturday, as is a recognised stand off. Lutterworth play old school forwards, and we need our experienced players to turn up to combat the only game plan they have. If we beat them up front then the game is won.
Until next week..........
Dean Burniston