Ninety Three Percent Forwards, One Hundred Percent Social Rugby

This was the weekend’s imponderable question as 14 forwards and Rob Shaw squeezed into the Salem changing room in trepidacious preparation for their game against Salem 3rd XV. A mixture of bullying, volunteering and trickery led to the following back line position itself nervously behind a fine set of forwards.

Full Back: Jim Capell: Prop/Hooker, finally chalking off the 15 shirt for a Leo’s full house.
Wing: James Houseman: Back row and second best pugilist in his relationship.
Centre: Billy Marsh: Lanzarote International back rower
Centre: Simon Winterburn: Back row/student hooker
Wing: Cedric the Salem guest
Stand Off: Ben Robson. Hooker, and fly half virgin.
Scrum Half: Genuine Rob Shaw

Never had The Plan been more appropriate and the forwards put in a performance of magnificent drive security and recycling to keep the ball to themselves and away from both Salem and the Leo’s back line. However the Leo’s second line of forwards were very much up for it in a competitive first half. Ben had a booming boot, Si a crunching tackle and there was some pace as well. Salem had a couple of very dangerous runners but Leo’s defence stood firm, if a little scrambly with James and Jim never giving up in the chase and scrag activity. Cadgy led from the front with boshing, closely followed in the Opta Stats by Tom with Scotty and Rob, a fine engine room, adding the momentum to the drives. Eventually the home side gleaned enough possession to score a try but Leo’s were far from disheartened and certainly well in the game. The lack of genuine pace in the backs meant there were few opportunities to score but the game ebbed and flowed. In the set scrum the front five was rock solid while the back row, shorn of pace through positional sacrifices was sturdy and featured the shortest number 8 ever with Jamie “The Skittle” Scott making low but rapid progress off the back of the scrums.

At the break it was still only 0-5 and Leo’s were enjoying the conflict immensely. Unfortunately a powerful forward guest, deputising for the late JPMurphy was recalled by Salem and the home side’s larger squad was able to exploit Leo’s tiring warriors. Scotty and James snaffled some lineouts, the scrums never wavered and there was some unbelievable last ditch defence that kept Salem out with a “held up over the line” and a knock on in the act of scoring. Leo’s spirit was unwavering despite the pummelling they were receiving and eventually a couple of close range tries were scored around the fringes.

Leo’s continued to look for a score and Ben set the second line of forwards into overdrive as Si and Billy made great yards for the pack to build on and pressure was applied in the Salem 22. The home side defence stood firm, Tom was dumped on his botty for an injury so severe that even Dr Goff showed some interest. Tom played on; Salem turned over, and ran in their final well worked try to bring a very entertaining, sporting and enjoyable game to an end.