Sileby Vikings 34 - Kesteven Rugby 27

New Year, new you – the mantra that will be present across many a billboard, tv advertisement and Facebook/Twitter update this month. Its meaning/significance has certainly been diluted in recent years, with companies using it to exploit people into parting with precious post-Christmas funds in the purchase of gym memberships, smoothie makers and low fat cheese. For the Sileby Vikings however the Christmas transition from 2017 to 2018 is one of great significance. Second from the bottom and without a win in six league matches the Leicestershire side desperately needed a win to readdress the momentum.

Signs however were optimistic. The three weeks in between fixtures was exactly the time needed for a number of Sileby players to return from absence and injury. This was particularly true for what has been a back line struggling for consistency in selection throughout the season. The return of Will Clancy, Kieran Plant and Rob Griffiths was most welcome. This allowied the coaching team to tinker with positioning, the midfield partnership of Jamie Muggo and player-coach Rich Rees shifting to Fly Half and Inside Centre respectively to accommodate Clancy. Other changes saw James Lewis shift from Full Back to Outside Centre and Paddy O’Callaghan make way for Nic Martin in order to attend the birth of future Viking Bertie O’Callaghan. Congratulations to both Paddy and Jess.

The game started poorly for the Vikings. After the kick off did not reach the required 10m (a sentence which is now saved in this computer’s Microsoft Word) Kesteven were able to secure possession and territory. Despite some strong defence across the Sileby line up this pressure would result in the first try of the game. Kesteven’s Scrum Half found space around the ruck and, stepping the cover defence, was able to cross the whitewash unimpeded to score. It was by no means panic stations for the Vikings, but less than an ideal start. However Sileby’s response was a strong one, something that would be repeated throughout the fixture whenever things went against the home side.

The Vikings success was built upon much better ball retention across the park and composure in the opposition 22. This allowed for Sileby, whom were able to be much more adventurous out wide than in recent weeks, to utilise their backline to its fullest potential. Slick passing and short lines from the centres allowed for the pacey back three on numerous occasions to penetrate the Kesteven defence, with Rob Griffiths in particular relishing the opportunity to run in broken field. It was only strong cover defence/one too many helpings of roast potatoes over the holidays that prevented Sileby from scoring sooner. However the inevitable came when the Red Sea parted for Captain Gareth Love to rip the ball after a strong carry from Ash Rideout to score.

Further adventure from Sileby would result in the next try, though it would be the away side that would cross the whitewash. Their winger expertly read a long ball from centre Rich Rees to intercept and run in. This combined with a penalty took the score to a somewhat unrepresentative 17-5, little reward for the home side’s strong performance thus far. Throughout the rest of the half Sileby pushed for the next score. However the away side were proving difficult to breakdown despite their apparent fatigue. When Sileby coughed up the ball just metres from the Kesteven line after the time had expired it seemed that efforts had been wasted. However quick thinking from Outside Centre James Lewis allowed the usual Flanker to charge down the opposition Scrum Half’s attempt to end the half and score in the corner. The conversion missed and the score at half time read Sileby 10 Kesteven 17.

For Sileby to thrive in Midlands 3 home form is critical. The second half was a variable see-saw as the Vikings looked to secure a vital victory. It started positively for the home side, as consistent pressure lead to the first score. Club stalwarts Gareth Love, Chris Wright and Mark Walker, powered by a fierce engine room of Nic Martin and Jamie Robson, began to exert their dominance at scrum time. With field position established by the boots of Will Clancy and Jamie Muggo it was a set piece that led to the score. With the pack driving Kesteven off the ball Number 8 Ash Rideout collected, looped and received the ball back from Rich Rees to barrel over. The momentum was swinging the way of the home side.

And then it swung back. Sileby’s numerous indiscretions, whether offside or at the ruck, meant that Kesteven were able to establish field position deep within the Viking’s half. Despite being on a team warning (next penalty conceded, a yellow card) the defence was holding firm. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me they say. Well the Vikings were fooled twice. The Kesteven Scrum Half once again was able to exploit gaps around the ruck to score almost untouched. The home side will rue not only the space afforded the scrum half but also a few opportunities to exit which were not taken advantage of. The game once again had turned, this time in the away side’s favour. Everything was getting a bit squeaky bum.

Fortunately in the last 15 minutes of the game the home side rallied to put together a performance that all players and supporters could be proud of. First the Sileby backs combined down the left-hand side to penetrate deep into the Kesteven 22, only a desperate last ditch tackle preventing Rob Griffiths from scoring. However the tackle was high, punished by the referee through the awarding of a penalty try. This had the added bonus of ensuring that not even the Sileby kickers could conspire to miss out on the extras. Having caught poor kick off disease from the home side Sileby were returned the ball from the restart. At the resulting scrum Will Clancy broke free from the Kesteven defence and released Rob Griffiths to finally score a well-deserved try on his return. The home fans were jubilant.

But not for long.

Sileby’s indiscretions finally caught up to them as not only did the away side level the score through a penalty, but Blindside Flanker Ben Smith was sent to the bin for consistent indiscretions. It seemed that despite all of the Viking’s effort they may not reap the vital 5 points. Whom could be Sileby’s saviour in their time of peril…

Jamie Robson has rarely been described as a mobile man. In fact he is rarely even described as a man. Teams of scientists are still scratching their heads to understand how a bear lost most of its fur and learnt to talk. With less than 5 minutes to go, whilst Sileby were pressing for a victory, the man bear found himself on the wing approximately 30 metres out. What’s more the Vikings had managed to produce an overlap, with the ball finding its way into Jamie’s hands. The team were resigned to another ruck, the energy produced into creating the opportunity lost. The man bear was clearly confused at his strange surroundings and the package he had just received.

And the confusion made him ferocious; the bewilderment made him focused. He tucked the ball under one arm and set his sights upon the opposition try line, like a Polar Bear on a poor helpless seal pup. He lowered his head and began to charge wildly, casting men aside as if they were origami swans. As he picked up speed the crowd and players began to realise they were witnessing something truly extraordinary. All that stood between the rampaging Kodiak and the line was a poor Kesteven player. He buckled his legs, puffed out his chest and prepared to be a hero. The celebrations flashed before his eyes - being carried on the shoulders of his team mates, a promotion at work and scores of women/men laid at his feet …

He was despatched. Nothing stops the man bear.

A stunning way to end the game (forget the remaining four minutes, nothing happened). Sileby won 34-27. 5 points in the bank.

Next week’s match is at home against Long Eaton.

Try Scorers:

Gareth Love
James Lewis
Ash Rideout
Rob Griffiths
Penalty
Jamie Robson