Where there’s a Will there’s a way

Top of the ground thoroughbreds such as Cadgy and Scotty were nevertheless put off by the fact that the pitch appeared to be square. Selby, captained by the perennial Wurzel looked to be a more forwards based side and this turned out to be the case.
The opening minutes set the tone for the home team’s game plan of pick and drives with hard running fringes and driving support. Leo’s repelled the initial assault, just, with a “held up” and a couple of 5 metre scrums before finding a bit of possession. Having more backs, not necessarily the right backs, was an improvement on the previous week but they took a while to gel. Will C slotted in elusively to scrum half with juggling Bindloss in the fulcrum position testing the patience of team mates, opposition and the referee. After some lengthy midfield skirmishes enough space was created for Will to ghost through and score our wide. Scotty missed the extras. More forwards combat followed before the backs tried their luck from distance. Good work was often spoilt by a wayward pass and the scrum count increased dramatically. Will once again took matters into his own hands and scored out wider, for Tom C to miss the extras. More scrums followed more mistakes as both stout defence and overcomplicated support moves led to dropsy before Will chalked up a first half hat trick and Scotty managed to convert.
A plea for calm sensible rugby and just doing things right was made as the changes were rung. It didn’t seem to matter and the game continued as before. Leo’s speed of thought was more advanced than their physical ability and the scrum-count climbed ever higher. Bamber’s lineouts were hit and miss but at least he was back where he belonged in the front row. The back row of Neil, Billy M and Fluff made good distance when in command. Selby were difficult to break down and competed well before driving in hard. Fringing tackling from the pack was called upon and the ball rarely went wide from Selby. Leo’s tried the more expansive approach with runs from Hayden and Florian the Austrian turning out to be a few of my favourite things. Selby continued the injury count with a head wound, following Leo’s tendons and dead legs allowing Aspirin to join the visitors and Scotty to return reluctantly. Will scored a greedy fourth before an actual move, right out of the text book saw Bindloss chip through for the on-rushing Ben to scamper over for the game sealing fifth try for Leo’s and a second conversion for Scotty. A well contested and sporting encounter was brought to a close by the excellent referee and Leo’s made their traditional stop at The Chequers in Ledsham where Fluff regaled locals and Leo’s alike with his story of a gay club and glory hole incident.