Fearsome Forwards Recreate History

CJ had assembled an experienced team, with a strong bench, required to support the portly magician.
Receiving kick off with the wind and driving rain at their backs, the visitors set about putting their Merit league programme back on track. Rob Shaw tried his best to utilise the plentiful early possession to set the backs free but all too often the greasy ball hit the turf. With Cadgey still trying to extricate himself from his wife’s tiny car Scotty stepped forward into the front row battle for the first half dozen scrums. Enough pressure was absorbed to allow more ball for the backs and Blakey, Joe and Phil the Power ran hard and straight but were regularly repelled by the sturdy home defence. In the gale it was unlikely that the ball would stay in hand enough to allow Billy and Rio to add wingman pace. Greedy Gav's mercurial kicks only served to baffle his fellow forwards until the pack took control and pressed home a range of pick and drives before driving towards the home side’s line. After Scotty had shaken hands with his opposite prop and retired to spark the engine room partnership with Dolph to life the pack caused enough defensive mayhem for the referee to award a generous penalty try just before Cranners could touch down for a “proper” one.
7 points to the good Leo’s kept up the pressure. The Portly Magician arrived on the scene to display an array of Barnes-Wallace passes and booming territorial boots to keep Knaresborough on an amused back foot. More forward graft opened up a gap for a back row move and Cranners fed CJ for a second try. Carl and Fishy were elusive in their support running while the front five did the dirty work. The home sides back line tackled for their lives suggesting that the forwards might prove the better option in the second half against the elements.
Expecting a meteorological and sporting onslaught in the second half Leo’s proposed to keep it tight and not allow the pacy broken field runners from Knaresborough to make hay. What developed was forty minutes of old school forwards rugby, enjoyed by everyone, who was a forward! With the front three of Cadgey, Gav and Farmer Jim in the ascendancy the front five were in total control. At the lineouts CJ and Fishy were snaffling opposition ball with alacrity and Dolph and Scotty needed no second invitation to embark on juggernaut maulage. With the ball being manoeuvred through the welcoming hands of the pack, like the girl with low self esteem at the 6th form party, Leo’s took the battle into the heart of the Knaresborough pack by driving in a controlled manner, often adding 20-30 yards at a time. Three or four 5 metre scrums were squandered by bewildered Carl, whose mind was still in the Beerkeller! Twice Leo’s got over the line but were held up, fumbled, or adjudged not to have scored before Greedy Gav eschewed a pass to supporting Scotty to add a third try for the visitors. The backs tried their luck with Rio and Niall just being snaffled by scrambling defence before weary Scotty (and his 100% little feet) allowed Rhett to up the average age and make a knee testing return to action. Knaresborough were kept at bay and a very satisfying victory was secured. It was a day for forward power and the pack provided it. The difficult conditions made it a hard day at the office for the backs, along with stout Knaresborough defence, and Gabes’ passes.
Delightful sandwiches were partaken at the Conservative Club before excellent ale and banter at The Kestrel. Next week it’s off to Ilkley for another Merit game in conjunction with the fancy dress train trip.