Berkswell & Balsall 23 - 18 Southam

Mid table clash that got away from Southam

On paper this could have have been a mid table end of season clash with one side rolling over as the game counted for nothing, but this game was played for the full 80 minutes with neither side backing down.

Southam played with the slope and the light wind and took the first half, 14 minutes in fly half Tom Grimes put up a high kick from the Southam 22 and a strong kick chase trapped the BB fullback in his 22 and a strong counter ruck forced a penalty for offside taken by fly captain Will Grindal, 3 minutes later N08 James Lander stole a lineout on the SOutham 22 and the ball was spread full back Billy Clarke crashed half broke the line and fed centre Will Wood out of the tackle and he scythed through drifted around the last defender and then a foot race all the way to the line for a 60m try in the corner. Wing Sam Bench was having a good day in defence and attack and on 30 minutes he took a ball on the halfway and handed off attackers to get into the BB 22, a BB scrum was put under pressure and as the fly half tried clear Grimes charged him down and and followed on to score under the posts, converted by Grindal.
HT 0 - 15
BB knew how to use the slope and started the 2nd half at a rush and 6 minutes in, after camping in the Southam 22 they found space on the outside and got in for the try. 2 minutes later centre Richard LLoyd Jones was yellow carded for a late tackle in the BB half, the referee awarded kick or kick which took them into penalty distance and BB took another 3 points for the penalty. BB continued the rush and after 10 minutes from a line out 10m out BB took off the top and crashed through two tackles for the try. Southam settled, but struggled for field position as BB knew the pitch and any loss of possesion found Southam kicked back in to the bottom corner, 21 minutes in Southam got there last points from a scrum on the BB 22, a free kick was awarded for an early push, which turned in into a penalty for mouth and Grindal converted it. BB came straight back and again camped in the Southam 22 and again scored from an off the top lineout and went straight over for the try and into the lead at 20-18 for the first time after 30 minutes. Southam tried to push the game for the last 10, but mistakes kept them back and BB got the final points with a penalty for holding on in the tackle.
FT 23 - 18

A solid first season in Midlands 2 for Southam with 8 wins and more significantly 6 losing bonus points, showing that they have always been in contention. It was always a good bet that that the backs would be able to compete in this league, but the plaudits should also go to the forwards who handled heavier packs all through the season. So instead of the posers in the backs the forwards get a shout, well done Boz, Deemo, Tom, Charlie, Hippo, Catty, Kimbo, Dave, Olly, Matt, Barnowl, Andy, Jack, Lander, Grinder and Finch and the occasional Burnell.