Oadsby & Wyggestonian RFC v Mellish RFC

An injury and absence hit Mellish team fulfilled this fixture which shows great credit to coaches’ determination to get the lads playing competitive rugby.

We borrowed 4 players and some of the lads were in unfamiliar positions. Notably a returning Sam Smith who played fly-half (an unfamiliar role)

A scrappy opening to the game produced lots of handling errors from both teams, O&W opened the scoring from an error right on our try line and converted the try. They then scored again from penalty to lead 10 - 0.

In the second half the Mellish tackling and running improved only to be let down by the odd knock on or misplaced pass. After strong forward play, Ethan Judd scored a lovely sniping scrum half’s try, which should have made John Cocking reminisce about his glory days some 20 years plus ago.

A controversial score put O&W 15 -5 in front - with the supporters and players convinced that Jacob had tackled the scorer into touch - unfortunately Mr Magoo the referee gave the benefit of the doubt. The score seemed to deflate the boys as it was out of the blue.

Late on Jacob burst through, beat a a couple of defenders and scored a good try, which Eddie managed to convert via a drop kick ( a chip off the old block I say)

All round a creditable performance from the boys with a makeshift team and boys in unfamiliar positions.
All the boys got stuck and gave their all ... poor old Ethan B played hard against a very “robust” prop and got his wrist crushed as scrum went down (hoping for a speedy recovery EthanJ
Good forward effort from the pack with all the boys tackling well and running hard. Likewise the backs tackled and made some good runs.

Man of the Match - Sam Smith great performance strong tackling in a position new to him, great to have him back.

Champagne moment for me (biased) was Eddie’s chop tackle on the rather large prop, which as he hit the deck must have registered on the Richter scale!

Any way chins-up lets get over this injury crisis and move on. Thanks to Daz and John for their time and parents who made the long trip.

Scorers
Try Ethan Judd
Try Jacob Owen
Convo Eddie Holmes