Buckley tap tackle saves Burnage blushes, (almost).
After a strong performance against Sedgely Park last week we were keen to get to grips with the league leaders. We travelled with a front row of two and a bench of none so we were perhaps a little unprepared. Shaun seemed unconvinced that propping in union was pretty much the same as in league so Daz Grafton stepped in at hooker and Sister 1 moved to loosehead. Big Jack made his second appearance for the 3rds at 2nd row, blindside and number 8.
With a fairly fluid ongoing positional system of scrum, (their ball, our ball), lineout and open play the game began.
Aldwinians started strongly and immediately built up phase after phase but the burnage defence held strong and we managed to break into the Aldwinians half. We lost the ball in contact and Aldwinians broke through and scored. The Aldwinians 8 and 13 caused us problems all day and both had crossed the line by the time they had built up a 26 – 0 lead.
We made no changes at half time, with the new front row doing well and came back strong, determined to score. We were awarded a penalty under the sticks but kicked for the corner, won the line, and set up a driving maul. Elf had the ball at the back and a controlled drive saw us score in the corner. We soon scored again with a 10, 12, 11 move down the blindside with Matt Barrett finishing well in the corner.
The referee awarded the try, the Aldwinians TJ claimed it was touch in goal. The referee awarded the score and asked for a change of TJ.
With our 15 men tiring against an onslaught of blood replacements and fresh players Aldwinians were able to cross the Burnage line twice. Burnage had no answer to the strength of the opposition 13. Each team scored once more towards the end of the game with Elf again appearing at the back of a maul to nip over for his brace.
Notable highlights were Bailey’s exceptional, Ryan’s angry, Buckley’s tap and Shaun’s (using his arms) tackling. Credit to Elf for his two tries but men of the match must go to Daz and Wes for fronting up in the front row.