Thermopylae 2009

Faced with a horde, well over 30, of fit young and skilful Medics the Leo’s 4th XV, numbering, eventually, a mere 21, including a number of “20 mins or so will be fine JP” additions, set about defending their unbeaten record with a performance of such bravery, application and team spirit which belied their age, speed, weight and fitness, matching the visitors blow for blow until a final cruel coup de grace.
The Medics had requested a rolling subs type test of spirit against a wily opposition to prepare them for the season ahead whilst Leo’s were hoping to bully them in the same way as they did Mods the previous week. What developed was an epic conflict, fought out at pace and in excellent spirit with the skill level way above that of 4th XV social rugby. Leo’s had to concentrate on a more forwards focused game, as they had only 5 recognised backs, and needed to starve the students of ball. Medics would run fast lines with fancy moves and hope to tire out the senior home side. With Grant sniping and feeding Tim the Tackle at 10 there were always going to be opportunities for the Leo’s backs but the ferocity of tackling from both sides kept the game attritional rather than expansive. Up front the pack tirelessly piled into the fray with good drives and regular turn-overs as they won the early close quarter combat. Eventually the silky skilled standoff, not Tim, ghosted through for the score for the visitors. Not the least bit disheartened the pack tightened the screw despite the loss of Dog, who was replaced by young Josh. More territory was earned through hard graft from Simon, JP, Tom and Mark B allowing the backs to open up a gap for Carl to burst through for a try.
The game turned round at 5-7 and all to play for if Leo’s kept it tight. More hard earned possession was put to good use before a lack of options forced Tim the Tackle to dink the ball straight into the hands of a speedy Medic. Before the forwards had time to shout “Don’t kick it” or follow it up with “Nooooooooo” the damage was done and a try scored out wide. Age changed the game in Leo’s favour as Charlie B (59) and Gabes (47) relegated Scotty to the third oldest and added some simplicity to the play. Charlie’s 4-ball to Matt worked a dream as time and again good ball was mauled upfield allowing Gabes to add significant extra yards with the magic boot. Despite a Richard III moment when crying out for “a forward, a forward, I need a forward” when exposed to the Medics back row the portly magician kept Leo’s going forward and eventually Matt was able to burst over and Scotty level the game.
With neither side content to play out a draw the final 15 minutes were as fast furious and spirited as the earlier 65. Leo’s kept the visitors pinned back with howitzer kicks and in your face defence with Carl and Stubbsy copying Tim’s tackling example. More forward drives went unrewarded when the Medics broke free and worked a slick interpassing move to finally kill off Leo’s. The final minute saw the home side pile into the Medics rearguard as Sparky, Rido and the pack tried in vain to rescue the game, but to no avail. Bloodied, broken but unbowed the gallant band trooped off, sure in heart and spirit that they had played their part in this epic.