Plain and Simple

We last played Broad Plain at the turn of the year and although the Bedminster ground was frosty the contest was anything but. Tempers were fiery, the rugby was entertaining and the score ultimately flattered us, so I looked forward to this rematch back at the vale and our visitors didn’t disappoint.

Right from the off it was clear that the Bristol Boys were very much up for it and certainly weren’t there to make up the numbers. Our normally reliant scrum creaked and groaned under the excellent pressure from our opponents and led to an enormous lack of possession, which to be honest was the story of the half. Broad Plain won most of the set and attacked at will, however our tackling in defence was resolute and it was stalemate at the break. The message at half time drinks was plain and simple.........win the scrums, and you win the game. And so with a bit of tinkering here and there, some firm instructions and a “wake up” call to the front five aided with a debut from Luke (our last minute transfer signing from across the border) we started the second half.

The “sleepy bug” that had affected our first half pack had somehow managed to find its way into the Broad Plain camp and had spread like wild fire! Within minutes we had sneaked a couple of scores through Mr Wills, who blazed in for his customary score and a cheeky off the cuff blindside manoeuvre from Dan after some great work by Charlie. The scrummage had completely turned affording the Clevedon boys plenty of possession which saw some great play and ultimately a further couple of trys from Rudsta and Mac. There would have been a further great notch for “lightning Mccauly” however the slow, injured, biased, short-sighted, old ref couldn’t keep up with play and penalised for a double movement in open play!!!! Sorry mate, I’m not sure what hurts the most...... not allowing a perfectly good try to you OR Mac continually reminding me he seems to know the rules better than me, and being RIGHT (on some occasions)!!!!!!!! And so it really was “a game of two halves”, and as the second half wore on it was clear Broad Plain were a little disappointed and lost focus.

So whilst I think we deserved to win, I think I it was down to our first half defence and Broad Plain losing interest rather than fantastic team rugby. But credit to the boys another good performance and some individual excellence at times. As our previous encounter, a real good rugby game with a bit of edge and a score that maybe flattered us. Next year I think things will be closer.