Act 2 - Croydon RFC vs Racal Decca RFC

Racal Decca ventured south to Addington village to face once familiar foes – Croydon RFC. In what
would appear to be a recurring theme for the season. The boys in blue went down early like a goal
attempting to save a penalty kick bottom corner.

Things were compounded further when P-Bohle succumbed to a recurring shoulder injury – the
Gravesend lock (still attempting to tackle with nothing but his shoulder) was substituted in the first
15mins.

Croydon’s attack was unrelenting with the flyhalf and inside centre carving up the meat like a father
at a Christmas dinner table.

Racal Decca finally started to get a foothold in the game thanks to some reliable running from Molly
and pressure relieving kicks from Woody. A succession of penalties in the red zone finally paid.
Quincey fed Woody from the back of the scrum, who in turn fed Swedish Lakka to crash over for
Decca’s first try.

Racal Decca’s attack was slowly starting to kick in to gear and were now testing the resolve of the
Croydon defence – Decca were rewarded finally when Tolu also crashed over from close range, after
some clinical interlinked play with Eddy Ben Arous, French Binns, and Hippie Mike – Robert
converted.

The resurgence (like round one on a one-night stand) did not last long. Croydon rallied to hit back to
give some daylight between the two score lines. Croydon had some very big lumps that were hard to
bring down – especially when body checked.
In a dramatic turn of fortunes Croydon were sin-binned for cynical play. The resulting scrum will live
forever in memory (and is a candidate for winky of the season).

Due to the yellow card, Racal Decca had a uncontested scrum 5 metres out. A set move was devised
for the backs to start on the left of the scrum, and immediately flood to the right when the ball was
available.

What actually transpired was…. the stand in scrum (Shaun Perry), ran to the left, and Tolu (playing
number 8) ran to the right. Both players leaving the ball stationary at the back of the scrum, and
both players believing the other would pick up the ball. The exposed ball was swept up by the
opposition scrum half and turned over. – This left Racal Decca with the unfortunate accolade
(probably the first ever) of being the first team ever to lose possession in a scrum that isn’t
contested.

“If a team is without sufficient specialist front row players, for example because of injury or sin-
binning, all scrums may be "uncontested scrums". In this situation, the packs engage, but do not
push, and the team that still puts the ball into the scrum must win it without effort.”
Racal Decca did eventually get a penalty try, but the effort was too little too late.

Racal Decca: 15; Swedish Larz, 14; Super Tim, 13; S-Molloy, 12; French Binns, 11; Hippy-Mike, 10;
Woody, 9; Quincey, 1; Young Ash, 2; Harold (Harri), 3; Dedjonai (Eduardo), 4; Paul Bohle, 5; Father Phelan, 6; xxx 7; Stroudy, 8; Tolu
Subs: Donny, Raynes Park Hooker, Perry Scrum Half.