Trinity Guild 22 - 26 Old Wheatleyans
THE SIMON HODGKISS SHOW (n' Go).
A quick mention has to go the Hands brothers for turning up late!! Better late than never.
Cracking summer sunshine in the middle of February presented the old Wheats with the type of conditions they thrive on? Firm pitch, sun shining and no wind equals perfect conditions for running rugby.
This is it what it looked like in the first 30 mins of the game against a large, very keen and ugly Trinity Guild team looking to impress the watching crowd of their VP’s day. The Wheats started off the stronger of the two teams and showed their running abilities by scoring within the first 5 mins with the first real touch of the ball. A good line out on the left just outside the Guild 22m line lead to the ball being spun through the all the backs hands and reaching Longman on the opposite wing to breeze past his opposite man with little to no effort and touch down in the corner. Conversion was missed by the Beast. Score 0-5. This impressive start from the reshuffled Wheats team continued and they were on the score board again within 10 mins thanks to an amazing top drawer piece of skill form the better looking and all round better Hodgkiss brother. The ball was thrown around in the backs from one side of the pitch to the other where Longman decided to cut inside and stand a few men up before some other rugby stuff went down and Simon Hodgkiss came around the play and dummied 4 players (2 were his own team-mates and the other 2 the Guild 13 and 15) then put in a Campese goose step (stumble) and gassed 65 metres to the line (more like 6.5metres). Beast converted from under the post and the score was 0-12. All was looking good… but the Wheats like to make life hard for themselves and trouble was approaching fast and the Wheats never looked like running away with the game in the first half as they should have done with the majority of play and more of the try scoring opportunities.30 mins played and the Wheats were looking dynamic and threatening with every touch they had. Time for the Wheats to drop the intensity and switch off allowing the Guild number 13 to run straight through the defence and touch down way too easily. Conversion was good 7-12. The guild then upped the pressure and started to break the game line time and time again putting the Wheats on the back foot and under sustained pressure for some time. The Wheats were defending hard and putting the hits in but were lacking the control and maturity to slow things down and clear their lines. The remainder on the first passed by with nothing interesting to report expect the regularly mentions of Casper’s big hits, Ross Lacey dumping more fatties (like his social life??) and Loachy (in his pyjamas) racking up numbers on his sit down count. Half time and the score was 7-12.
The Hands brothers came on for the second half and expectations of the Wheats rose with the introduction of the hard hitting brothers. These expectations of a glorious score line in favour of the Wheats soon disappeared with the Guild stepping up another level and coming out all guns blazing from the start. From the kick off the Wheats players all looked at the ball flying through the air and a certain few (names not mentioned) forgot to catch it!! This put the pressure on the Wheats and showed the Wheats supporters what to expect in the next 40 mins. No more champagne rugby... from here on in its Lambrini Rosse rugby. The Guild was the first to score in the second half with their players running hard and straight and powering through the Wheats defence. A well taken penalty put the scores to 10-12 and Wheats were backing off letting the guild build on their strong finish to the first half. The Guild continued to put pressure on the Wheats and with their pack now stronger in the scrums, rucks and mauls the Wheats soon realised they had to up their game. Step up Brad Atkins to put in a big hit on the Guild openside and the ever dangerous Matt Brown to tidy up the knock on, run through around a couple of Guild players and distribute to SuperHands to round the Guild full back (with ease)and dash 40 yards to touch down under the sticks extending the Wheats lead to 10-17. The Beast converted 10-19. The Wheats should have pulled away and closed the game off but instead they switched off and rested on their slender lead. This allowed the Guild to capitalise on Wheats mistakes and let the Guild's big bald winger attack the Wheats try line and offload to another guild player to score. Conversion missed 15-19. Soon after the score the Guild had an opportunity to slot home a penalty. Fortunately for the Wheats the Guild missed the pen and with the ball striking the Wheats linesman Mick Hibbert on its way down we were provided with the only entertaining moment of the half... ‘Get out the way you SILLY SAUSAGE’ was the jeer from one witty Guild fan. With laughter aside it was time for the Wheats to score against the run of play. Longman- who was having a good game- dashed down the wing and with Brad Atkins on his shoulder had the option to draw the opposing player and pass to Brad Atkins to score or take the hit and mess things all up. He chose the latter but used his large frame to out muscle his opposite man take the hit and offload to the waiting Atkins who dutifully dotted down under the sticks. Conversion was good (Beast had his kicking boots on)15-26.
As is now all too familiar with Wheats style of play they scored then switched off for the next 15mins. These 15mins were dominated by the Guild who bashed the Wheats back and back and soon broke over the white wash for another score. Conversion was good 22-26. The Wheats supporters were looking more disgusted and annoyed with the team were worried they may lose the game, which the Wheats nearly did with thanks to the ref playing 50mins in the second half! The Guild did throw everything at the Wheats in the last moments and might have deserved another score but the Wheats solid and determined defence repelling every attack, they held out for well fought victory which kept the dream of league champions a realistic chance.
Special mentions must go the whole team for the tough defence in the dying minutes of the game, Casper for nailing every one of the Guild team, Matt Brown for continuing to return to play for the team (Others take note), Ryan Birch for making himself available and the massive support from the touchlines(?????) let’s try and get more supporters up to the games and keep this winning mentality going on to the end of the season and onwards into next season.
J.Loach – 7. Sit down count is racking up. Didn’t stop running at the opposition.
G.Weaver-7. Stepped up to the plate and did a strong job as hooker. Much Appreciated
A.Hibberd-7. Still going strong and scrimmaging well. Keep it going.
R.Lacey-7.5. Many more big hits from the ever expanding big man
M.Scannel-7. Did his job well and was vocal throughout. Good solid performance
J.Gillam-6.5. Lego hair gone but none of his samsonite strength
Casper-7.5. Does what he does well. Hitting everything that moves. Strong game again.
S.Hodgkiss-8. Better than his brother is all aspects. Great game – keep it up!
Deano-6.5. Quiet game but wasn’t given chance to shine
Beast-7. Good solid game and great kicking game. Racked up some more points to season tally.
Birchy-7.5. Dangerous in attack and always creating attacks. Good to see him the team – now drop the gay football!
B.Atkins-7.5. Did what he needed to do. No mistakes. Looked good
Longman-8. Got involved all over the park. Gained yards and put some big hits in. Keep it up
Browny-7.5. Looked dangerous as always. Scrapping as always. Gay as always.
Beno-6.5. Another good strong game. Needs to give ball before trying to beat the whole Guild team
Subs
B.Hands-7.5. MASSIVE HITS! Great to have him in the team.
Superhands-7.5 Great running lines and great defence for the 40mins that he played.
K.Dennis-6.5. A solid performance all round.
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