After the frustrating shenanigans of the day, 1871 2^nd XV had a golden opportunity to play some rugby as the opposition, London Cornish, appeared to be present.  However, it was established that they only had 14 players and did not have a front row, so uncontested scrums were the order of the day from the start of the game.  It was also outlined by the referee that if London Cornish went down to 12 players, the game would be called off, unless it reached the 60 minute mark, then whatever the score was at the time, that would stand as the result.

Despite this a game would be played and as their coach said:

“…On a Saturday the boys want to play rugby, so let’s play rugby.” 

Well said that man.

The warm-up looked pretty good, with some crisp plays and good tempo, there were ideal weather conditions and everyone was properly warm.

The game started quickly for 1871 as after 4 minutes Peni Junior (8) scored from a lineout maul.  No conversion.

9 minutes later Marquis Daly-Vidal (11) went over to score in the corner after a winning scrum, a hard carry by Ilan Trowbridge (13) and stretching the Cornish defence line.  No conversion.

6 minutes later Marquis, who posed a threat numerous times in the day, went over again in almost identical circumstances after a scrum and 1871 stretched the D.  No conversion.

Although there were some lovely passages of play in the first half, many frustratingly ended without reward.  These were addressed in the team talk.

1871 started the half with great intent, as after 1 minute, Dan O’Mahony (1) crashed his way over the line after peeling away from a lineout maul, which started outside of the Cornish 22 and went all the way to the 5 metre line, carrying a couple of the London Cornish players with him.  Conversion Harrison Slater (10) (C).

5 minutes later Oliver McAllister (6) went over under the posts, after David Vater (5) stole the London Cornish lineout, carried in hard and popped it the Chris Joyce (2), who also carried in hard.  He in turn popped it to Dan O’Mahony, who once again boosted his post contact metres, bullying the Cornish players away.  A very quick recycle of the ball saw it go to Oliver.  A really great forwards try.  Conversion Harrison Slater.

3 minutes later Ilan Trowbridge scored in the corner, after a huge shot by Danny O’Sullivan (14) gave 1871 turnover ball inside the London Cornish 22, then carries in the small spaces ensued, giving Ilan the opportunity to muscle his way over.  No conversion.

1 minute later, London Cornish scored, after a complete lapse in the 1871 concentration, allowing them to recover the kick-off and run in un-opposed.  They also converted this score.

5 minutes later, after success in their lineout, there was a very, very good bit of interplay and handling between Danny O’Sullivan and Ilan Trowbridge.  1871 sent the ball down the line quickly, giving Danny a good run down the line, before he popped the ball inside to Ilan, who gained about 10 metres before popping the ball back inside to Danny, who had recycled himself and made himself available (“Make yourself available!” a mantra from my rugby coach at school, Brian Jones which stands the test of time).  Danny sat down one London Cornish defender and out muscled another to go over.  A really great backs try.

The next score started on the 1871 22mtr line, when the London Cornish throw went over the 15mtr and was snapped up by Chris Joyce, he carried, the ball was turned over, then Cornish went down the narrow side, but were also turned over.  1871 moved the ball to the open side quickly, giving Alexander Le Bouedec (15) an opportunity to run.  He passed early to Alex Tarrant (18) and opportunity to show his pace and he stepped around the Cornish defender, before offloading inside to Alexander, he was brought down, the ball was recycled quickly to Harry Reed (20), who took a precious 5mtrs, whilst Alex Tarrant, came around off his wing to take the crash ball and go over.  Conversion Joe Banks (21).

The final try of the day came from Nick Dawes (9), rounding off the try of the match.

Go to 75.06 on the Veo footage, through to 75.44:38.  Very simple stuff, but so, so, effective.

Catch kick-off Kavan Fitzpatrick (17), gain of 15mtrs, pass to Dan O’Mahony gain of another 8mtrs quick recycle and down the line to Alex Tarrant out wide, skin the outside man and taking the ball all the way to their 5mtr line, then passing inside to Nick Dawes running the perfect 9 line to take the ball without breaking stride and to score under the posts.

London Cornish indeed turned up to play and fair play to them, they stuck at it and stayed behind afterwards to enjoy the post-match festivities.

1871 2^nd XV are in a very good position, but this league is not over yet by any stretch of the imagination, so on to the next job, as there isn’t any room for complacency.