Uphill Struggle for Depleted Leo’s

A lot, with the opposition made up of a squad of ex 1st teamers, with representative caps and an England B international!
Having gratefully received two youthful wingers Leo’s kicked off one man down and down the slope. Good territorial kicks from The Portly Magician and LoveGrumpy kept the home side in their 22 for spells but there was no way through their stout and aggressive defence. Lofty, winning the moustache of the day award kept driving, with Scotty and Rob in support. Soft Dave made a pacy break from a quick tap, so quick in fact that he was on his own and dispossessed a yard short. James won lineouts and when released the backs tried hard to break through, once they’d caught the ball. Captain Neil ran a superb line onto a LoveGrumpy pop but just could keep control, and both guest wingers had runs, but to no avail. Amongst all this endeavour from Leo’s the home side won good possession and used it as one would expect from the years of experience. Three tries were run in up the slope with hard running good lines and support. Squirty ball was scrambled for with even Scotty getting down on a loose ball or two as valuable possession was fought for.
At the break Soft Dave tried to convince the brave troops that uphill would be easier but this didn’t quite prove to be the case. More tries were conceded but in amongst the resolute defending there were moments of both farce and brilliance. The Portly Magician taking at least three minutes of contemplation regarding a “move” when the scrum had packed down, followed by an inventive quick short 22 drop out to himself which he undoubtedly knocked on. Missed by the ref TPG quickly played on passing back to LoveGrumy, who dropped the ball, picked it up, and booted it into the nearest garden in disgust. The otherwise very decent lady referee blotted her copybook by not making him go and fetch it!
Skipper Neil, who had sacrificed himself in the backs then thought he was a proper one by making a terrible shanked clearance kick, eschewing the four man overlap. With most Leo’s staring aghast at this misdemeanor it took the enthusiasm of Student Jack (Newton) to defy the laws of gravity and chase uphill, scuffing and dribbling through and past defenders to score a Leo’s consolation, which Scotty kicking into the gale shanked just wide in pursuit of the extra 2 points.
More tries were probably conceded, Leo’s could get a second to claim a last try wins victory, and a very sporting but frustratingly unequal struggle drew to a close as the weather turned for the even worse and Leo’s scampered to the relative warmth of the dressing room.