York RI 16 - 37 Sheffield Medicals

After a prompt meet time and efficient drivers collection the medics set off for York not knowing what to expect from a team we had met in previous years. On arrival, the clouds were low and the air was crisp for what was to be a high octane, exciting game of rugby!
Pre-game warm up began with the Medics featuring the brand new, official Balti King Training t-shirts! The pitch was soft and may have needed a slight trim, however a great playing surface. The stage was set, the weather was perfect, we were ready!

York Kick off, medics regathered a high up and under, a good counter from Michelle Watters lead to medics in the opposition 22 and it was the one and only FTR who popped a sprinting Ali Shaw through a gap to score a well worked try. (pure vision from ftr).

From the kick off, medics were in their own 22, a quick line out well spotted from Chris Jones to again FTR who used his vision to pass to Blackers who sent Watters again on a 60m weaving run. Matty Clarke was on hand to gather the offload to score another try.

The next try came from again intense pressure, quick ball and a slick backs move from Winters sniping and McHale to allow... Yes you guessed it... FTR to put away a 2 on 1 to put Pete Goodwin in the corner.

York RI finally switched on and began to apply pressure to the Medics, good defence from Marcin and Fawdry creating some good turnovers. They manage to convert a penalty at this point. However the good defence from the medics allowed them to work back to the opposition 22, a penalty from York RI and Winters with the quick tap to cross the white wash.

Just to let you know, Eddy Farmer did play, however missed all conversions to this point. But courageously stepped up to slot a good penalty just before half time.

One of the York RI tried to stop a blistering FTR run and didn't release him and was sent off for dissent. That was all.

Half Time.

The second half began with York RI taking control of the game and dominating the medics for a good 10 minutes, good defence from the medics however the strong pack of York RI created some gaps and with some strong runs they ran in their first try. They then converted s penalty and another good try however missed the conversion due to a good charge down from McHale and Jones.

The game was getting scrappy due to fitness playing a factor. A counter from the York RI winger who chipped over McHale, who turned and "blocked" him for a dubious yellow carded. FTR was covering at fullback so probably an unfair decision from the refere.

The next try went to the medics, a good backs move and bounce pass fell to FTR who went for the gap drawing in 2 York RI players to release a Sonny Bill offload to Blackwell, quick elite rucking lead by Gabbott allowed quick hands to send Winters into the corner! A great turn around by the team considering they had been under the cosh for the majority of the second half from the York RI team.

With a man down, the medics had to dig deep to defend the flanks as the opposition had overlaps on both sides. Great ruck disruption from Charles Crawshaw and Ellis which allowed FTR to kick the ball through for blackwell to collect well who gave another Sonny-Bill offload Gabbott to McHale who finished clinically under the posts with a beautiful swan dive. McHale converted with a drop kick, 100% conversion rate. Farmer could take a leaf out of his book.

Job done.
Final Score 37-16 Win to Medics.

Clark was assaulted in the game, which lead to another York RI yellow card.

Watters did hurt his shoulder during the game, a lovely sling designed by the captain fixed it immediately.

Sack-
Man-
T**t-

To follow....

Match report by FTR

"No one is perfect. But boys, if you'll not settle for anything less than the best, you will be amazed at what you can do with your live. You will be amazed at how much you can rise in this world" - Vince Lombardi

PS if anyone fancies a good read, all Lombardi quotes are from his biography.

Peace XXX