MEDIA PULL AWAY AFTER EPIC BATTLE WOB 6 - LM 17 Two tries either side of the break from Baron John Madden and another from Chris Arrowsmith, with five minutes to go wrapped up a close, often thunderous, hard fought win against an expansive playing, well drilled, Worth Old Boys. A hugely competitive break down area was played out with two sets of well matched forwards, marshalled by a competent if at times strict referee who to the delight of many took a huge clearance kick to the face inside the first 5 minutes. Perhaps the match up of the game was in the centres where both Gareth Shades of Barry Liddey Morris and Arrowsmith can gain great credit for their attritinal and often brutal exchanges with their opposite men. A game that sapped the energies of all that played, with barely a tackle missed from any player, it was apparent that this was going to be a battle of the top 2 inches. The game started at lightening pace with Media camped in their own 22 for most of the first 30 minutes. Wave after wave of WOB forward attacks, man for man probably a few kilos heavier than their Media counterparts, were cancelled out by some dogged and outstanding tackling. It would be unfair to signal anyone out in this period as everyone showed the opptositon their shoulders. Its been said, and many have witnessed, that BGD can win a game on his own but he can also contribute towards losing a game when he plays on the limits of legality. Perhaps, as every great backrower does, he was testing the referee to see what he could get away with, but more likely it was because with his rugby mad mother in the stands, he didnt want a quiet game. Time after time, we were pinged for BGDs maurading hands in rucks, maybe he couldnt hear through his scrum cap, but the talkative referee was having a field day warning him and then penalising him 7 times in the first 10 minutes according to one WOB backroom staff. Without a decent kicker, WOB were unable to capatalise on these infringments other than a couple of penalty goals which Media certainly accepted given the pounding they were taking. Media were now subjected to some swift WOB backline play and if it was not for some outstanding, desperate try saving tackles from the magnificent John Floyd, WOB could have easily pulled away and perhaps may have been out of sight by halftime. Occasionally Media found themselves inside the opposition half following the odd turn over and scamper up the pitch, but we were unable to mount anything of note. A rare moment in WOB 22 however, and with the half time hooter moments away, Baron John Madden managed to block a clearance kick which bounced up in into his hands and over he went out wide. Turning around a credible 6-5 considering the battering we took, with WOB playing up the slope, Media were able to finally get into the game with some sustained possession and some great counter attacking rugby led by John Floyd and Colm McAlister returning many a clearance kick with searing breaks. Captain Chris was able to secure some excellent ruck ball and was everywhere in defence, Cookie the Silent Warrior began to assert himself in open play with some of his trade mark scuttles up the middle, and BGD was starting to have the kind of game every mother would be proud of - hitting the line at a ripping pace on some wonderfully acute angles, opening up the oppositon time after time. Mike Mullins and Dave Kirby were hitting people low and hard round the ankles and never backed down. Crowder was coming into his own too, with more ball to play with he was able to mount some excellent individual attacks against his smaller opposite man. He was also able to show some deft, subtle off loads to our cheek puffing centres who were now running onto the ball into space. After some great attacking play, the ball was passed out wide to Baron John Madden who in balleratic fashion swivelled round two cover tackles before sweeping round the last man to score in the corner for an uncoverted try and possibly the best of the season to date. WOB were definately still in the hunt however, competing ferociously at the breakdown with a never say die attitude. Toby Flood/Barnsey started to shine with some fantastic tackling but also as the space opened up with tireing players, he was able to show some neat footwork and one handed offloads that only big men are able to deliver. Still only 10-6 up, Crowder and then George Wannabe Barry John attempted a drop kick each to ensure a points cushion, both were woeful attempts. With the rampant Cookie sin binned for one too many hands in rucks, and Sam Justin Tipuric departing to A+E with a bruised eye, Media were beginning to feel the heat from a resurgent WOB. An attack out wide from their clever outside half saw BGD shoot out of his line in a desperate attempt to prevent a certain try and in doing so managed to intercept a pass, where he found a supporting Arrowsmtih Frankie Fredricks of Namibia on his shoulder to sprint 80 meters unapposed under the sticks. He duly converted his own try to make the game safe and secure 3rd spot in Surrey 3, but still 5 points adrift of the second place team. After the dreadful game 2 weeks ago that saw Andre the Female Snatcher pack his bags to sunnier climes, this was surely the game of the season. Shorn of some of last seasons Surrey 3 Allstars in Drayton, Lundy and Green, on a sunny dry pitch this showcased the very best of Medias team spirit, strength in depth and 15 men rugby. MOM - Everyone DOD - BGD for giving away 7 penalties in 10 minutes
Posted on: Mon, 03 Mar 2014 10:29:08 +0000
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