2018 saw the return of old rivals Bec to the same league as Tiffs. While most of the younglings won’t recall this side from years ago, your report writer does. This match was traditionally always good for a fight or two and multiple sin binnings, however the hope was that a few years apart, and the retirement or a certain forward would have cooled the passions that once gripped these two mighty teams. Happily Staples, very much the ‘Mike Brown’ of Tiffs (with even less pace), was on hand to ensure this was not the case.

After two excellent turnouts the time had come for the perennial 2’s squad problems to return. With new boy Layth taken ill at the last minute, broad shouldered (and bellied) Teddy was moved from his usual position of scrum-half/flanker/lock to that of prop. This fixture also saw the return of Minuk Lee – proud owner of the finest pair of pins in Tiffs, and a man not afraid to show them off. He also shocked everyone by turning up on time. The pack also contained the Enfawcer, making his first start of the season in a very snug no 8 shirt, and ensuring that the return of MacKay did not bring down the overall weight of the pack. In the backs debutants Moe ‘the clamp’ Alothma teamed up with the still uninjured Paddy to create a pleasingly dense midfield, and Sam Rider earned his first cap at fullback.

The Bec pack were large, it was raining steadily, and the backs were already whining about being cold. It was not going to be a quick, flair game. But that was fine. After the defensive debacle of the previous week Tiffs were keen to make amends. Both sides flew out of the blocks with crunching hits on both sides. With Bec not willing to spread the ball wide, and Tiffs not giving Staples clean ball at the breakdown, the opening quarter was a cagey affair. New prop Teddy was holding up reasonably well in the scrum, with Bec unable to use their considerable weight advantage. From a personal point of view the lineout was going very well with your humble author plundering the Bec lineout at will. This, combined with the Bec fullback having a nightmare in the face of the aerial bombardment Watkins, Staples, and Rider unleashed on him, meant that the home side spent the majority of the game camped in the opposition half. The mighty Watkins boot was able to claim the first 3 points of the game.

Not long after that a backs move broke out and Fawssett was released down the wing. The new boy burst through two tackles and burnt the fullback (bad day generally) to slide in for the first and only try of the game. Conversion made, and it was a 10 – 0 lead to the home side at half time.

Half time case, and in a tight game the only sub was to bring off the gently bleeding MacKay in the place of Sergeant Spoors. Dowsett gave his usual motivational talk, and battle resumed.

Unusually Tiffs started brightly with some solid phase work taking the play into the Bec half. Moe chose to blot his record with a questionable grubber which went dead denying the lurking Pedro a probable score. However Bec were soon to do something naughty at the breakdown, and Watto was on hand to add another three. Further changes were made with Mike, Powell, and a very solid Nick Matthews all adding fresh legs to the mix.

Unfortunately, that coincided with a surprising period of Bec dominance. The scrum was pretty evenly matched, their backs couldn’t make much headway in the conditions, and their lineout was a no go area. So they resorted to sending in their (very) big men. It was not pretty, and it was not effective. Phase after phase of pick and drives followed, with Tiffs showing a defensive resolution not seen for some time. Powell was forced from the field with what turned out to be a broken ankle, but still the purple line held firm. However, while Tiffs were very good at making tackles, they were less good at avoiding penalties, and at crucial times Tiffs were unable to secure the exit. Special mention to Moe at this stage; being shaped like an egg on legs gave the debutant particular expertise at the breakdown; plainly he had got bored waiting for the ball. By my reckoning he secured three crucial turnovers and was responsible for Tiffs eventually breaking out from their half.

At this point Bec tempers began to fray. They hadn’t been able to get on the scoreboard, and it was clear their big men were tiring. A few scuffles began to break out and Watto was able to add another three to the board. At some point our scrum half was involved in a differing of opinion with the Bec full back (who else) and their no 8 which resulted in the latter being given an early finish. With the final play of the game Bec got a scrum on halfway. With a man advantage, Tiffs were finally able to marmalise the opposition scum to earn a well deserved penalty which was promptly tapped and booted out. All that remained was to question why a fully clothed Kinnaird felt the need to wander through the showers watching everyone, but after that slightly creepy experience was out the way it was on to pizza and the first club social.

IFLOT x

Honourable mentions
Me – As I write most of these (24 so far) I never get an honourable mention, but on my 75th cap I thought I did pretty well. Spoiled the Bec lineout, held up well in the scrum, made lots of tackles, and even got a turnover.
Alothma – Not a day for backs given the conditions, so opted to stay warm by making lots of tackles and being a nuisance at the breakdown. Having a centre of gravity 6 inches underground made him absolutely impossible to shift off the ball.
Paddy – Still not injured.
Staples – Such an angry man. The Bec fullback is still having nightmares about box kicks.
Minuk – Made some monstrous hits and carries. Despite not having a kit or knowing most of the rules, he is very good at rugby.

MotM – Teddy – Great propping and great darts. Will be worried about how comfortable he looked at loosehead
DotD – Fawcett – I don’t actually know why he got it this week. He got through a full 80, carried well, dragged a Bec player in his wake for 10 metres, and even turned up on time. However if your whole schtick is bullying people to drink constantly, sometimes karma just bites.

Tries: Fawssett
Conversions – Watkins
Penalties – Watkins (3)

by Richard Sedgewick