C'EST LA VIE!

After a disastrous start against a combined OAs and touring French squad from Ecole de Rugby des Vignes de Thau, conceding a try within thirty seconds of the kick off, our lads quickly found their feet and had the best of the rest of the first half. George Knight opened the scoring for Stortford with an incisive run through the opposition defence to score beneath the posts, leaving an easy kick for Ben Pedlar which he firmly dispatched into the next county! After some strong defensive work, Tom Neale put us into the lead with a well worked team try the result of some strong rucking and good handling, however Ben was unable to add the extra two points on this occasion. OA's responded aggressively, their centres making powerful and effective runs and on sixteen minutes it looked like they had got a try back but for some fantastic defensive work from Stortford holding them up on the line and turning the ball over. Two minutes later, however, the score came with a break down the wing and converted try bringing OAs back level, the first half ending 12-12.

Whatever was said to the OA/Ecole squad at half time and in whatever language it was said, it worked as they dominated the first twenty minutes of the second half scoring four unanswered converted tries. But Stortford heads did not drop and leading by example captain Jules Scott rallied the team and they enjoyed much better possession. Positive attacking play from Jules, George, Murray and Dylan and some great runs and kicking from Ben, Jacob and Jack got our hopes up that a come back was on, and it nearly was. Some good handling and passing from the backs and strong rucking from the forwards saw us make steady progress down the pitch, the opposition defense held well but when hooker Dylan made a drive for the line and fell just short Jules was able to pick up and find a gap to place the ball down scoring a very well deserved try for which Ben slotted home the kick. The lads stepped up again and desperately worked to get another score but time was against them and the ref was obviously feeling the effects of a weekend of excess and had had enough!

A fantastic game to watch in the April sunshine and a good atmosphere in the bar afterwards where George Knight was awarded star player for Stortford and Jules proudly presented the touring scrum-half a pair of OAs socks - an award apparently, not a sanction!

Richard