Lots of frustration, confusion and reluctance to adhere to conceding the game and then to play a ‘Game-On’.

1871 brought 11 players, Ruislip brought 18.

This will, no doubt, inevitably be sorted out in the background.

The agreement for play on the day was:

2 X 20 minutes

5 man contested scrums

Contested lineouts

‘Shoulders on’ (referee calls ‘tackle’), ball carrier goes to ground then ball is able to be contested as a ruck.

Even this agreement brought its own angst…

Ruislip had a breakaway score in the first minute and as is their want, were as enthusiastic as ever on the touchline.

This was silence 2 minutes later with a score by Johnnie O’Neill (7) after 1871 won a scrum and played the ball down the line, then had a couple of short phases, before he sniped over the line.  Liam Mulvihill (8) (C) took the extra points.

5 minutes later after winning their scrum, Ruislip fumbled the ball and Ollie McAllister (4) swiftly pounced, grubber kicking and chasing hard, beating the scrambling Ruislip defence to score.  No conversion.  8 minutes later, 1871 scored again through Alfie Cox (9), after winning a lineout putting the ball down the line, then Alfie grubber kicking and chasing the ball down to score.

Unfortunately 1871 took their foot off the gas in the 2^nd half, allowing Ruislip back into the game and scoring two converted tries after 6 and 13 minutes.

The scoreline should not have been relevant, due to the game having been conceded by Ruislip the night before.  However, for reasons best known to themselves, Ruislip decide to post the final score of the Game On, as a legitimate scoreline, to try and claim the league win.

A real shame.

We go again next week!