The day started well with the sun shining overhead and the promise of clear skies for the remainder of the day meaning that the mighty media backline could enjoy what they love best, running rugby. After setting off only half an hour later than intended (an achievement!) the convoy of cars eventually arrived to be presented with the wonderful clubhouse that represents a prison more than any I’ve been in!!
Now I cant really recall too much of the game as I was busy getting stuck in (yes Russ I was actually in the rucks and mauls not on the wing!) so here is my overview of the game and a few highlights gleamed from players after the final whistle chatting in the exercise yard……………
Once the ref eventually stopped lecturing us about how he was going to run the game he actually let us start, and after a sloppy start by yours truly, letting the kick off bounce and ricochet off a few of our players we cleared our lines and got stuck into a game that would prove to be a hard fought battle up front that would teach a number of our pack a few lessons on close contact play. Mitcham were a well drilled pack and chose their rucks wisely attacking when our pack let off the gas and securing an embarrassing number of turnovers against a pack that was superior in nearly every other facet of the game, but after a poor defensive performance a few weeks ago, Media had learnt their lesson and we defended well to stop Mitcham making any ground when we let them win our ball. In fact the only way Mitcham made any ground the whole match was through poor mistakes by Media and silly penalties coupled with our old nemesis Backchat!
When it came to scoring points I believe the two tries scored took place in the first half, with the first a well constructed one to Baron who managed to latch onto a well placed chip by BGD who only moments earlier had been telling the backline the effectiveness that such a little chip would be. Baron did some good running to beat his man on the outside and cut back through a number of defenders to touch down. The second was just before half time and went to our new ball scrounger Jake who eventually made it over the line after failed attempts by: Tom, Vinny, Chris and Donald I believe for a well worked team effort of continued pressure and quick ball recycling. I think Mitchams only response to this in the first half was a penalty conversion in front of the posts.
In the second half the attacking just didn’t appear to go our way with poor passes to props running awesome lines, dropped catches and lack of ball through too many turnovers, but when we were inside the oppo 22 we came away with points thanks to 2 penalty conversions off Fuzzy Bears boot, which was a good effort considering the conditions. Media also dropped off the intensity in the second half as we let in 2 easy tries to the oppo, the first from poor defending at the fringes (I know, I know) and the second from walking the oppo into our 22 with penalties and having to defend our own line under pressure.
In the end the better side won with a close score of 16-13 and many lessons were learned that will need to be rectified prior to our game this week against a much better side. So please come down to training tomorrow if your not already down to do so!!
