Bramley make Leo’s Crumble

Despite there being a plethora of possible players in the clubhouse celebrating Paul Marshall’s 80th birthday Leo’s could still only muster 13 willing and able to take to the field. Bramley kindly lent a winger for each half and a competitive but eventually unequal struggle ensued under the relaxed eye of Refjoy.
Competition for possession was fierce at the breakdown but with ball in hand Bramley had a lively and incisive back line which presented Leo’s defenders with plenty of tackling practise. Playing one short up front the two man back row of Charlie Dawson and The Lip battled well and drove in hard. Recycling was slowed down by the competitive Bramley pack but with Grant scrambling well Tim was occasionally given decent ball with which to release the backs. Dancing Tim M, Matt, and Boshing Jon were repelled and it was difficult to make headway. Eventually the visitors went one up with a well worked try but Leo’s were undaunted, for now.
Bramley were cooking and threw the ball fast and wide before a superb interception try from Tim (M not L!) brought them down to earth. More organised, and with the extra man, Bramley made better inroads into the Leo’s defence which was brave but ultimately outnumbered as a couple more tries were conceded. Spirit still intact Leo’s battled back at Bramley’s core with Big D and Cadgy to the fore. Scampering quick wittedness from Farmer Jim (really!) made space for the backs who, having been held up just short, conceded possession to The Cadgesaurus who crashed over from 18 inches for his sixth try of the season. With their danders up Bramley turned a little sour at the breakdowns and the game nearly boiled over just before the break with some injudicious rucking and scuffling causing Refjoy to call a halt to the half with Leo’s most certainly on top.
Unfortunately Leo’s couldn’t maintain the momentum and having lost Matt were down to 13 and gaps were opening up all over the park for the visitors to exploit. The pack battled themselves to exhaustion with a succession of rucks, counter rucks and attempted mauls, which were a little foolish with only 6 forwards. The scrums were holding up well though and Scotty’s fringing tackling was both surprising and copious. Naturally tries were leaked but Leo’s battled to the end and on the final play The Lip, who had been banished from back row to backs, with nary a whimper, sliced through the Bramley’s and made a break for the line. Expecting to be caught he looped a Hail Mary towards the supporting Tim M who secured victory for Leo’s under the provincial “Last Try Wins” rule!