Match Report: Stoneham V's Tottonians 4th's

Stoneham fielded a very strong side for our first home clash of the season. Although we were still experimenting, we attempted a winger at blindside flanker. Nick Davies began the game in the scrum, a position he has never played at before. But, before i talk about his performance we had some debutants to Stoneham Rugby, Father and son, Dean and Danny Lynch put on the blue and white for the first time for the club, Andy Butcher also pulled on a shirt for the first time. I was so happy to see so many players at the club, more than we can possibly house in one team, and the recruiting just keeps on ticking over. Maybe in the near future we will discuss a 2nd Team. The big news of the day is the return of Vice Captain, Wills Fuller, having stepped off the plane from the USA at 7 that morning he donned his kit and joined our back line.

With our enormous squad we were positive about taking the field against Totts, and a quick look at their line up it was clear we were facing a very experienced Veterens team, many would think a fit, young side should be able to run rings around a vets team, but, this is a side that has not lost in 2 years!! Youth and fitness no match for age and treachery??? we will see! The game started well, As captain i wanted the ball in hand from the outset so elected to receive having won the toss, it was clear the level of intensity from that initial contact, it was hard, it was physical and it was bruising. In my views this was a great fixture for us as it gave us a slap around the face and a few bumps and bruises, and goes some way to "toughening" us up. The game was dogged, it was a battle in the trenches and was a forward orientated game. The first scrum was telling, it was Totts ball, and as soon as we packed down we knew we had a battle on our hands, pack strength was fairly evenly matched, maybe leaning towards totts through experience and technique but for power Stoneham matched them, Totts put in and the ball came blind. Bit of a surprise that they were using that avenue, and those members of the club who know the gameplan well will know why. Brand new blindside Nick Davies was immediately under the cosh. Fortunately Backup soon arrived and we disarmed the attack forcing Totts to use the boot of their 10. This was to be a tactic they used for 20 mins in the first half, attack the blindside and use 10 for field possession. They did this until debutant Full Back, Danny Lynch, who from our own 22 ran back hard and found a path to their try line. Reece Badger added the extras and the game was poised at Stoneham 7 - 8 Totts. Our line defence was absorbing alot of pressure, but their fly half jinked, stepped, and went for the corner, he only just got it down before the cover tackles came in. Still stoneham back on the back foot. That was the story of the half really alot of niggling form Tottonians aimed directly at upsetting our players it is the classic old school tactic of get away with what you can and then act all innocent when we retaliate.

The second half started strongly with Stoneham putting Totts under pressure from the kick off, however, there niggling tactic worked and hooker Dean Lynch spent 10 mins with his thoughts. A man down Totts scored a couple of tries to take the game away. But not before Stoneham went on the attack. We fought, battled and got ourselves to their line, a couple of penalties later and from an opportunistic tap penalty Captain, Peter Lewis, ran unopposed to the corner to score, Easiest try i have ever scored as totts were all huddled around the ref disputing the decision.

Soon after we went up to full strength disaster struck. Flanker Adam McMillan got his leg caught under a Tottonian player and his game was over, it later was discovered that the injury was alot more serious and that he suffered ligament damage and a break. Adam is out for 3-4 months and maybe permently if his good lady wife has a say! The game finished much as it had started with both teams battling it out. but the eventual winners were Tottonians.

Result: Stoneham 12 - 30 Tottonians 4th's

The Coaching staff have many hard decisions to make with regards to selection, and can also take away alot of positives. As captain i can see how effective the gameplan is and how when we get it right we are devastating in attack and defence. Especially defence very proud how all the guys "Manned Up" in the contact zone. just need to step it up one more level.

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