Hullensians Steal Victory at the Death to Deny Medics

On a cold but clear saturday morning, the Sheffield Medics prepared to travel to Hull to face Hullensians, a team they had yet to conquer.

After a narrow victory last week against a tough Bradford Salem outfit, the medic lads were looking for a better performance this week.

The boys arrived with plenty of time after a long drive before K.O and after a good warm up were ready to go.

The medics kicked off and for the first 10-20 minutes worked some good phases controlling the ball well. But it was Hullensians who would get the first score, with a move allowing their full back to get through the centres to score a converted try. 7-0 Hullensians.

Straight from the kick off, a lovely weighted kick from FTR (if I should say so myself) was retrieved well by Thomas Piggott (Two T’s!) with the medics setting up a platform with some good carries from Will Hunt and Geordie Fawdry. Quick ball from Wiffy Watkinson fed the one and only FTR (on field captain) who spotted a gap in the defence with great vision to glide through and step the last defender to score under the posts. The conversion converted by Andrew Hodgson.

Not much really went on in the first half, both defences held firm to negate any further scores. The Hullensians kicker got one penalty effort at goal. Oh and Steve “Mr Apologetic” Edgar was sin-binned for going in the side of a maul. This was baffling especially when the referee said to him the reason he was giving him the yellow card was because he heard Steve apologise to the Hullensians playing for tackling him! Harsh call considering no warning was given- but the Refs decision is final.

Score HT - Medics 7 Hullensians 10

Some stern words were said at half-time with “Dem Sheff Meds” (Fawdry G. 2013 et al.) knowing they had much more to offer and started brightly in the 2nd half playing some good rugby with the ball in hand.

Sadly early on in the 2nd half, Wiffy received a boot to the face and a nasty lower lip soft tissue laceration (basically a nasty cut), which ruled him out of the game. Up stepped Mr Blackwell who came on and had a good game with a shuffled up Medics backline.

Hullensians kicked a penalty- unremarkable.

Good phase play continued with fantastic rucking by Jindoe, Ramdizzle and Fally Slaw- all offering themselves for some fantastic lines. This allowed some time for Hodgy to show some magic to chip and regain his kick and touch down. Try Medics! Unfortunately he lost his footing to convert his individual try.

Score Update 12-13

The Medics soon found themselves again challenging the stern Hullensians defence. After a nice move with Hodgy and Jimmy Mac, somehow a Sonny Bill offload found its way to James “Metal Jaw” Flint who scored a try under the posts. Converted by Hodgy.

Score 19-13

With 5 minutes to go, Medics were looking to close the game out and take a first win against Hullensians.
However after conceding a penalty, the Hullensians 10 kicked to the corner. There were some hefty pick and drives by the Hullensians forwards. Unfortunately the referee was on the wrong side to see a knock on by one of their forwards at the back of the ruck and 2 phases later they got over the line. The referee gave the try which they’re full back converted.

Score 19-20 Hullensians

Heartbreak!

However the Medics were able to retrieve the ball after the re-start and were awarded another penalty on the Hullensians 10m line. With not enough time for the line out, Hodgy lined up the difficult kick whilst sadly some Hullensians supporters continued to jeer him- could he sneak the victory for Dem Sheff Meds?!

No... the effort fell short, game over. I guess Pop tarts to drown the sorrows….

FT- Medics 19- 20 Hullensians