Encouraging Signs as 'Harry Potter' Works His Magic

On a bright and calm afternoon it hadn't gone unnoticed that the same Alleynian team had narrowly beaten 1st XV opposition in Old Glynonians from Surrey League Three the previous week so Shoots knew they would be in for a tough encounter. However, fielding a match day squad of 20 featuring some new faces and under the guidance of recently appointed coach Mark Swannack Shoots equipped themselves well taking the game to the opposition from the first whistle.

Playing up the slope in the first half Shoots dominated the early exchanges but whilst stringing some promising phases together couldn't force the early score that the endeavour deserved. In fact it was the visitors who scored the first try from turnover ball and having worked their way in to the Shoots 22, the Alleynian fly half touched down just short of the dead ball line having followed up his own kick, plucking the ball out of the air and beating two Shoots defenders in the process. Conversion missed. 0-5.

Falling behind to an opportunist score only served to make Shoots more determined and immediately from the restart pressure was exerted on the Alleynian receiver forcing a scrum. Shoots put in and picking up from the base scrum half Daniel Neznayko sniped and weaved his way past several would be tacklers over 40 metres to score close to the left corner. A quite brilliant solo effort. Rory Mitchell slotted the conversion for a narrow lead that was never to be relinquished. 7-5.

The next score followed shortly afterwards after Shoots gained good territory and this time it was the forwards, with debutant 2nd row Mark Cox and the ever present Adam Skinner to the fore, who earned the reward for keeping their composure close to the line with flanker Harry White eventually touching down from the back of a maul. Conversion missed. 12-5.

At this stage Shoots had their tails up and could feel the momentum building. Step forward Joe 'Harry Potter' Gibson usually a centre but filling in at hooker from the start on this occasion as a new front row combination was being tested. After taking the opening quarter to come to terms with his positioning 'Potter' was simply everywhere for the remainder of the match and continued to prove a menace to the Alleynian defence. As the first half was coming to a close 'Potter' evaded several defenders from 30 metres out to touch down near the posts. Mitchell again converting. 19-5.

However, it was the visitors with their attacking back line, who until this point had been kept honest by the excellent defence of centre pairing Bailey Morgan and Pete Deady, that had the final say of the half when their influential inside centre broke through to touch down near the posts making the conversion a formality. HT 19-12.

Despite the late concession before half time Shoots started the 2nd half with the very same positivity as they had the 1st period. Playing the slope intelligently and with the exception of the odd foray up field Alleynians found themselves pinned in their own half for much of the time. The Shoots scrum also began to dominate and after several phases of attack ‘Potter’ broke through for his 2nd try of the afternoon which Mitchell converted. 26-12.

From the ensuing restart Shoots gained good field position once more and camped in the Alleynian half for a lengthy period until with about 15 minutes remaining the effervescent ‘Potter’ swooped on a loose ball about 30 metres out and jinked past several opposition players to score near the posts and complete a wonderful hat trick. Mitchell added his 4th successful conversion. 33-12.

The final 10 minutes witnessed a few substitutions on both sides and Alleynians proved that they weren’t done when having been awarded a penalty on half way went quickly and ran in an unconverted try. 33-17.

Shoots kicked off for what would be the final passages of play and were unlucky not to score a 6th try as the final pass didn’t quite go to hand. FT 33-17.

To summarise this was a fine team performance with which to start the new season. Very difficult to single out any one individual but in ‘Potter’ we may just have found our own Schalk Brits given how similar his broken field running was to the Saracens hooker! Plenty still to work on though, particularly in the set piece.

All in all a good contest played with great spirit and excellently refereed by Philippa Greenwood.

We look forward to meeting this Alleynians team twice more this season in the Spitfire league. Special thanks also go to the Alleynian physio, Bethany who constantly attended to players on both sides throughout the match.

Next Saturday Shoots take on Dunstonians A XV at home in the opening Spitfire league fixture of the season. KO @ 3pm. If you aren’t playing please get along and lend your support.