Bishops Stortford IV 31 – 5 Saracens Amateurs II

Despite BSRFC playing for the last 2 weeks, this was the 4s first match of the season although some players had played with the 3s or 5s. Based on last season, we expected a very tight fought game, hoping to post a win, maybe by a few points. One particular 'expert' told me on Thursday night we would do very well to keep it within 30 points.

The game kicked off and unusually, was immediately restarted by the referee harshly pinging their forwards for being offside. From the resultant rock steady scrum, the ball was spun right, passed out of the tackle into space by Toby, and a 30 metres later being touched down behind their try line by a delighted Brownie, duly converted by Toby for good measure.

There was an initial slight sense of surprise at the ease of the win of the scrum, and the superb finishing however this remained the pattern for the first half. Scrums were a superbly solid platform and the rapier like, gluey fingered backs silhouetted in and out through their backs, scoring (I believe) 3 unanswered tries in the first half (also James Mitchel and James Lipscombe). Rucking was evenly matched but our defence was outstanding with only a handful of tackles being missed in the whole half. The only 'downside' was our knack of getting caught not rolling away after tackles and our lineout was not its usual success due to two new second row to this team (welcome Ryan and Aaron).

Come the beginning of the 2nd half we were firmly on the front foot, wanting to score immediately to ensure that we did not let Saracens back into the game. Unfortunately our game came under more pressure due to the referees consistant dissapproval of Frosty and his rucking and more penalties for us lying on the ball along with continued line out problems allowing Saracens to score a try. This was preceeded by a change of Frosty for a character less disliked by the referee - Clarkey – who promptly decided to change the referees neutral opinion by taking 'strong' action when seeing a hand in the ruck, and the evergreen Kev Stockdale who added some normality to the lineout by resuming his relationship with Russ once again.

The game then gradually swang back in our favour despite Toby leaving the game with a bad leg after a tackle and being replaced by the new slimmer Tubsy who played with authority to keep our back line firing on all cylinders as the forwards restablished control culminating in a superb mauling and rucking try by Pete Richardson. There was also a 'superb' kick from Lippi, 10 metres forward and 20 to the right, off the side of his foot, bouncing between the outside centre and older prop on the wing and then perfectly landing on the hand of the evasive gazelle like running by Mr Lumley putting in a superb sidestep and then linking up again with Lippi who collected the ball to run in under the posts, just as I'm sure he planned...

The game finished with the scores at 31 – 5, and asisde from unfamiliar lineouts and not getting out of the way quickly enough after the tackle this was an outstandlingly good start to the season by all players involved.

Man of the Match could have gone to several people but went to Toby (outstanding running of the game and passing demonstration) and James Mitchell (outstanding running and tackling on his debut) not announced in the changing room as I was too busy wondering about other new captain things. Dick of the Day to Clarkey.

Dick of the Day henceforth will be penalised by having to buy a box of lagers, refridgerate them, and bring them to match still cool. I shall start this next week for not mentioning it earlier.

On another note, I would like to apologise to the players I advised wouldn't get a game, and toGeorge and Andy. I know it sucks. I have complained to the league about the 3 subs rule, and know that Saracens already have so hopefully this will change soon.

Chris