Without a shadow of a doubt this was the most important game of the season so far for the Mighty 5ths. In the 2008-2009 season we lost two games all year, both to Saracens Amateurs 2s. We lost in the league at their place, and then lost our last game of the season, the cup semi-final, at their place as well. Saracens then went on to win the cup final, and their picture adorns the homepage of the league's website for the 2009-2010. Unfortunately Saracens were unable to field a time for the game at Silver Leys in the league last year, so this was given to us a 25-0 walkover. Whilst the points were obviously welcomed in our push towards the league title, the chance to lock horns with Saracens for a second time in the league was sorely missed. So we travelled to this game with an absolute total determination to not allow a third successive victory on the part of the opposition.
We travelled with a very strong team, with only a very small number of our strongest players missing this time. A pack made of eight regulars all playing in their best positions was supported by a set of backs made up of seven of our best players. This was ably supported by three subs who would all be able to deputise effectively for the players on the pitch if called upon. At this point it has to be pointed out that the team's 2009-2010 leader, Kev Green, has done a fantastic job in the current season. Sidelined by an ankle injury for all but two games so far, Kev has taken on the mantle of elder statesman of the team with great skill. Sorting out the team each week, getting the directions for the boys, sorting out the kit and collecting the subs is clearly not as much fun as playing, but Kev does this well. He also takes loads of photos each week, and these are available using the Flickr links on these review pages. However this week Kev was the undisputed winner of the 'Clearly Useless Numpty Twit' award before the game had even started. He handed out the directions to the 'Saracens ground' and we all set off with it programmed into Sat Navs etc. On arrival at 'Saracens ground' however there was a clear lack of recognition for the surroundings that we saw. The stand and the location next to a main road appeared to have changed into a wide expanse of heath with a small building for a clubhouse! In what must rank as the most idiotic action of the season, Kev had sent us to the wrong rugby club. Fortunately the quick use of Blackberries yielded the correct postcode and we were off again. It was fortunate really that we were only about 15 minutes from where we should have been. Clearly if we had been the other side of London then problems would have been much greater. This event has not dented the collective faith that the 5ths have in our 2009-2010 manager / team captain, now known as Kev ‘Pathfinder’ Green, but we may not believe everything he says so quickly in future!
After a proper warmup with well structured drills and everyone having their ‘heads on’, we did the obligatory huddle and were ready for battle. A strong Saracens Amateurs 2s side was lined up against us, and as ever they look the well drilled outfit that they clearly are. It would be entirely true to say that both sides were determined not to let the balance of power shift. This was a top of the table clash and whoever came out victorious would be clear leaders of the table at the end of the first cycle of matches. A hard fought battle ensued throughout the first half. Although the game was close, it has to be said that Saracens were clearly on top overall by the end of the first half.
However the second half proved to be the titanic battle that all had expected. No quarter was given by either time, as time ticked towards the final quarter of the match; the scores remained close with Saracens slightly ahead. A try from Saracens with around 20 minutes to go could have been the end of the match, but the Mighty 5ths players refused to die in the game. A rousing chorus of self encouragement and a realization that defeat in this game could see the loss of the league, and a further defeat at the hands of Saracens, was enough to re-energise the Bishop’s Stortford players. The last twenty minutes of the game were a whirlwind of top class rugby where the 5ths showed all the things that make them the great team that they know they can be. A try, a conversion and a penalty were enough to see the 5ths take control of the game and run out victors by the narrowest of margins. The delight for the blue team was uncontrolled at the end of the game, and this was recognized as one of the greatest victories for a long time for the Mighty 5ths. To finally get a victory against a team who we have never beaten meant as much as another milestone on the road to a hoped for second successive Merit Table title.
Pictures from this game can be viewed by clicking on the Flickr logo below:
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