The Engineers went into this game with a spring in their stride after a great win last week against the UBRFC Freshers. Unfortunately a lack of cutting edge and a few critical mistakes lead to a very disappointing loss.

The game started well enough for the Engineers with fly half Daniel Appleton pinning the Medics back in their own 22 for a long period of time with numerous well placed kicks. Pressure on the opposition's line-out led to a steal by Sam Parsons, from the resulting play Edward Thrift made a good run down the wing but got isolated and the the ball was lost again.

A few moments later the Engineers reached the whitewash for the only time in the game. Daniel Appleton did well to win a penalty in the ruck area and from the the resulting line-out the Engineers rumbled forward with a well worked maul. After a few forward phases James Balfe placed the ball on the try line but the official judged that he had only done so by virtue of double movement, this looked a harsh call from the touchline.

After this a few minutes of midfield play including a good grubber kick by Thrift the Medics first try came against the general run of play. The Medics full back made a darting run before passing onto his outside centre who ran around multiple Engineers and just made it to the try line despite a last ditch tackle by Henry Schofield.

Despite conceding the Engineers did try to use their strength in the scrum, the next set piece was won against the head with James O'Neill nearly going in the corner for a try but he was stopped about 3m short. From this turn over the Medics cleared but from the resulting ruck Duncan Temple won a penalty with great body position in the ruck. Appleton then duly cleared down field and the line-out functioned well to set up the maul; this was pulled down by the Medics and a penalty was awarded. The engineers decided to take a quick tap and were penalised for crossing in midfield; why the scrum option was not taken flabbergasted most of the spectators.

The final few minutes of the first half were played out with the Engineers probing for a score of their own. Sam Parsons made a great turn over and the Engineers went forward through the centre of the park. Eventually the ball went out to the backs but unfortunately it was lost forward by Daniel Appleton, this signalled the end of the first period.

Half Time Score: School of Engineering RFC 0 - 7 UBMSRFC 2's

If the Engineers had the best of the first half it is fair to say that they spent the best part of the second half on the back foot. The half did start brightly though with Schofield bursting from the base of a ruck, the ball was worked out to the big man O'Neill but he spilled forward. At this point the Engineers were keeping the medics back in their own half but just couldn't keep possession long enough to build up any momentum.

A few minutes later Edward Thrift picked up a loose ball and ran at the Medics defence only to be hit by a high tackle, which was inexplicably missed by the referee. Thrift had to come off as a result.

A great turn over by Ed Praill and box kick by Alex Valentine eased a bit of pressure. After more dominance in the scrum, the ball made it to Joe Cripps who pulled in the defence and sent Henry Schofield down the wing who was stopped about 10m short.

From another scrum the Engineers looked dangerous but unfortunately Ed Praill lost the ball forward and it bounced nicely for the opposition full-back and he finished in style from inside his own half. Running through at least 3 weak tackles he scored under the posts and the conversion was successful.

The Engineers then spent the rest of the game in their own territory and the Medics played the game out very well.

Full Time Score: School of Engineering RFC 0 - 14 UBMSRFC 2's

School of Engineering RFC

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