3 is the Magic Number
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Sawston Vs Poblenou Enginyers
17th October 2009
Another fantastic result for Sawston on the college slope makes a winning run of 3 matches in a row this season. Actually, if you count last seasons victory as 2 matches, as double points were on offer, then we have now beaten the Spanish 3 times in a row too. To complete the set of 3 we have slightly more disappointingly not won a league match this season by more than 3 points. Amusingly, despite a 3 wins out of 4 league record, our points different is –56! Old Albanians have a lot to answer for.
The match itself was not much to write home about (or indeed to the club website about) but there were some amusing moments…
After conceding the first try Sawston opened their account in the second half with, what critics would call, a questionable try. Another superbly directed kick through from Francois was collected on the run by Alison and immediately spilled forward. Its fair to say that Alison was slightly disappointed and he proceeded to stop and swear at himself for a few seconds. What he didn’t realise was that the referee had not seen his discretion (I think Steve Jarvy was expertly distracting him with Mum insults) and it was only when the Sawston faithful, boosted by the VPs, urged him to carry on did he kick the ball through and touch down for the score. Game on.
Unfortunately we didn’t catch the next piece of controversial play on tape as it would have easily made it on to Question of Sports “What happened next?” round. A Sawston transgression at the breakdown resulted in an Enginyers penalty from 20m out and just to the right of the posts. The best the Spanish kicker could do was skew it slightly to the left and send it through the back of the pitch out of play. Unfortunately for Sawston the tree behind the posts had other ideas and knocked the ball back into the Sawston try area. Quick thinking from Alberto, the Spanish inside centre and drinking ring leader, saw him touch down the ball for the Spanish try… or so he thought. The referee obviously thought the tree was playing for Poblenou as he awarded a knock on, scrum Sawston. A bizarre course of events that I think will remain a bit of a mystery. Giving a try would have been a bit harsh, but the scrum was a bit of a surprise.
With Chris S off the pitch with an elbow the size of his forehead (due to a try saving tackle on the opposition wing-cum-second row) and a fragile full back who had to go off after half an hour, Sawston were up against it in the second half. All on the pitch tackled their hearts out, slowed the opposition ball when they could and ran as hard as they ever have. Then, against the run of play and expectations, Sawston unexpectedly took the lead half way through the 2nd half. Mad/Mid Range/Mild Mannered/Gentle Ben claiming his first try on his debut with a patented Sawston, “Push the opposition forwards into their try area and everyone jump on the ball so no one has a clue if it’s a try or who scored”. The Francois conversion proved to be the clincher as the game went on to finish 12-10.
It is a Himalayan achievement to beat the Spanish twice in a row and to win yet another close game. The game was a credit to Sawstons self belief and approach and has provided Sawstons best start to a season in this league, ever!
Lots of players are really improving this year, but I thought Nab was exceptional on Saturday. He has really started to contribute in the loose as well as at scrum time and his tackling is becoming really important to the team.
A special mention must also go to the Poblenou Enginyers for their sportsmanship and team spirit. Despite decisions going against them, they barely complained and always played the game in it’s true spirit. I’m pleased to say that a good turn out of Sawston players joined them in town for heavy drinking that evening and capped off an incredibly successful day by getting alcohol poisoning (nearly). Happy times.
Final Score 12-10
Team: Dan O, Callum, Chris S, H, Alison, Francois, Ash, Nab, Wilf, Pete, Don, Theo, Vipers, Mad/Mid Range/Mild Mannered/Gentle Ben, Robin.
Subs: Kieran and Skippy
Scorers: Alison, Mad/Mid Range/Mild Mannered/Gentle Ben
Cons: Francois
Sawston Star Man
Despite the sheer brilliance of all Sawston players on the pitch there is only one winner of the Star Man award. Steve Jarvy’s partisan approach and the sheer volume of his cheering and jeering earns him the prestigious award. The sheer variety of his support from sarcasm and irony to straight forward swearing has been unmatched all season. No player or official was left in any uncertain terms as to what Steve thought of their performances. A true club legend. Dammit I’ve just remembered that Steve no longer manages my bar debt… so I don’t need to be nice to him any more, what a waste… Mad/Mid Range/Mild Mannered/Gentle Ben was the real Star Man capping a fine debut with an unspectacular but hugely important fall on the ball in the try area.
Players Perspective
In an attempt to bring down a Sawston maul one of the Spanish players found himself on the floor whilst the Sawston pack mauled straight over the top of him. In doing so the Spanish chap let out a blood curdling scream that lasted about 3 minutes. Sawston supporters were unsympathetic, accusing him of “diving” and “play acting” but the best comment came from Kieran as he ran back into position…
“There is something about the Spanish scream, it’s just so satisfying”
Coaches Corner
Robin “The Meglomaniac” Wardle was very pleased that Phase 1 of his plans for world domination are now complete. Ball retention has improved dramatically along with mauling and not over committing to rucks. “Phase 2 will be to improve our back play and stop making mistakes in the final third” What will phase 3 be?… a Heinieken cup victory?
The Small Print
This article does not represent the views of Sawston rugby and may not bear any resemblance to real events. It is not intended to offend anyone… actually that’s probably not true as I aim to offend everyone in the club at least once a season. I do not pretend to comprehend the rules, especially as the new rules are now the old rules and the old, old rules are back again. From time to time I will refer to “scrums” and “rucks” and “mauls” in these reports, but please be assured that I don’t know what these are.
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Sawston 1sts fixutres and results
http://www.greenekingrugby.co.uk/results/Supremresults.htm
Sawston 2nds fixtures and results
http://www.greenekingrugby.co.uk/results/deuxiemeNORDresults.htm
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