The proverbial game of two halves, one lost, one drawn

The thieving first team then raided the squad for a couple of bench-warmers, although Tweds was allowed to play until required. On a boggy pitch Leo’s kicked off against the tide.
It soon became clear that the home side’s backs were rapid and well drilled, which was going to cause Leo’s problems as their own set were a random smorgasbord of hookers, back rows and reluctance. The pack fronted up as best they could in the conditions but when the ball was spun wide there was a fair amount of chasing shadows and panting. At the breakdown Moortown were more aggressive and chelpy so Leo’s ball was at a premium. A few drives from the pack were showing promise and giving a hint of what was to come but Moortown’s speed of thought and deed earned them a couple of early tries despite valiant chasing from Billy, Chris and Flo.
With a bit of possession and the Tweds boot Leo’s worked up field, harried the home defence and set up a lineout on the 5 yard line. Jamie found Neil and the drive was controlled by maulmaster Scotty who eventually fell down over the line when exhorted to do so by his tiring colleagues. Tweds couldn’t get his conversion airborne out of the swamp. Riled by this impetuosity Moortown upped their intensity and ran in another try, or possibly two, to put Leo’s back in their muddy place. Undaunted the visitors stuck to the plan and another lineout was set up and a “special move” enacted. Jamie and Neil combined to set up Tom C and with JP and Scotty in linebacker blocking position and with Moortown moaning, the young prop burst through the gap to score. The home side then scored again and on the stroke of half time added their 6th try straight from the kick off following some pat-a-cake attempts at tackling.
There was only going to be one way to play the game in the second half, up the jumper! With Dr G off with a fat lip, and Tweds departing for 1st XV punishment the pack took it upon themselves to control and retain possession for as long as possible with complete disregard for the backs or territorial advancement. A Somme like stalemate ensued as both sides battled for hard inches as bodies fell around them. Cadgy, Neil and Onslow took the ball up, Rob, Scotty and JP lumbered in support for retention purposes and then this was repeated with Rob S, Ben and the backs sloshing close to the pack in support but sadly no area of the pitch suitable for a Viennese waltz from the hard running Flo. More casualties departed and Moortown sent over reinforcements as the muddy stalemate continued. After 35 minutes of quagmire combat a final injury to the tenacious Brad resulted in a truce being called on a scoreless half of very muddy, sporting, combative forwards fun, which the backs occasionally enjoyed.