3rd Team vs Newmarket

A changed third team travelled to Newmarket in a must win game to stand a good chance of finishing top with their last game next week against Cheshunt. The Captain Dan Evans was at some dolls house convention. Me still on crutches, Mark Cullen deciding to work half hour before the meet time. The coach set off only half an hour late and picked up two refugees at Stevenage being Bill and his brother. the journey was rather pleasant and it was a nice change not to turn up at someone house miles from the ground and Tom Tom stating you have reached your final destination.

The warm up went well, and kicking off with the wind behind us charging down the slope, the game was generally controlled by Welwyn. Wiggy introduced himself very early in the game to his opposite number with one of those thumping tackles. However Newmarket proved to be quite stubborn in defence and that last pass just not quite going to hand. The line out was to prove difficult for both side due to the wind, But the front five of Pete Gardener, Lynchy, Dave Heyward, and Big Al and Tanner in the engine room, dominated the scrum.

Some good breaks by Creaky, Jamesy, Mevs kept the tempo up but still the points did not come. A late penalty easily slotted by Jamesy from some distance broke the dead lock. In the final minutes a penalty was awarded in front of the posts, only for Welwyn to tap and go wide nearly made me have a heart attack when Newmarket flung some bodies on the line, only for Pete Gardener to go over American football style. into the break 8-0 up. The second half started, i blinked (from the bar at this stage) only to see Newmarket crash over in the corner 8-5, some missed attempts at goal from Newmarket and Welwyn was on the back foot. Some Last ditch tackles from Pikey, Andy Bolton and the covering pace from Fast Andy, could not hide the fact Newmarket was starting to get the upper hand. twenty minutes to go, Lynchy off with a calf injury and Harry 'the points' sears entered the battle. The back row of Bill, Neil and Jezza started to win some lovely turnovers that saw Mev's score out wide. The Ball going through the hands of Harry and Dave H was a joy to watch. Jezza made the game safe with a stroll under the posts and Jamesy slotting the points. Well dogged out boys playing up the slope and into that wind, especially all the guys who had come up from the fours and fives. A good win but we need to more clinical next week.

PS Dan you still owe the sock draw fund £30 and I have the text to prove it!

Team:
1 Pete Gardener, 2 Si Lynch, 3 Dave Heyward, 4 Ian Tanner, 5 Big Al Smith, 6 Neil Afford
7 Jezza Schmitz, 8 Bill Moran, 9 Creaky (never tell which one) 10 James Lynch, 11 Fast Andy, 12 Wiggy 13 Mevs, 14 Andy Bolton, 15 Pikey
Subs Harry 'the points' Sears
Len Cleary

Len