League campaign resumes with a solid win…

With JK taken ill during the warm up a reshuffle of the backs was required, however the mood in the camp was high and the boys looked focussed and switched on.

The first half proved to be decisive in setting the platform for our win, with 2 converted and unanswered scores giving us a healthy lead. With the ground heavy underfoot it was always going to be a day for concentration and discipline.

From the outset the intensity shown by all the team was obvious - rucks were efficiently managed, and alternating between pick and go and releasing the backs kept Tring on the back foot. Our ability to make inroads and recycle the ball allowed us to drive deep into their 22, and despite Tring defending well it was only a matter of time for some space to open up and it was Paddy once again from the back of a ruck who was able to drive over near to the posts for the first score.

With Alex having to be replaced through injury our back line had to be altered again with Shahen moving into fly half and taking kicking duties and JK coming on despite sicknesss, the conversion was made.

Game then ebbed and flowed for a period with neither side able to make the decisive break until late on when after some great scrum work the ball was swiftly moved into the back line and Dom was released with some space to operate in, and he didn’t disappoint - with a mazy run eluding 2 or 3 despairing tackles he was able to go in under the posts for another converted try.

Momentum was definitely with Fullers, and half time came at the wrong time, allowing for Tring to regroup and come back out in the second half all guns blazing. It was more a lack of concentration on our part that allowed the score against us, but it was a well engineered try at the start of the half that brought them back into the game, which was converted.

The next score proved to be crucial and it went in our favour, with again some great off loads, rucking and running, allowing Captain Nick to pile over for an unconverted try. This gave us the breathing space needed and despite a further try by Tring which was converted we were able to keep them out and earn a well deserved 19-14 win.

There was a lot to be pleased about with this performance, our ability to shut down space when not in possession, our tackling and defensive play was strong, a bit more clinical with some of our passing could have yielded more scores but we can go away very happy with such a sterling performance from the entire squad…

Five highlights for the game:

Ollie Attwood’s scrum work, causing his opposite number so many problems in the first half that he was replaced for the second.

Joe’s line out accuracy was almost 100% enabling a solid platform for the pack to work from. He was able to not only throw straight in windy conditions but also hit his man 9 times out of ten.

Harry’s steamrolling of the Tring centre who made the mistake of trying to tackle him, poor guy was somewhat dazed after that encounter.

Dom’s try in the first half, belying the muddy state of the pitch by showing a clear pair of heels to score under the posts in trademark fashion.

Andrew’s tap tackle in the dying moments of the second half, saving what would have been a match winning score and thus relieving the pressure and enabling the game to close out in our favour.

We still have 3 more league games to go all of which will require us to play with the same intensity and commitment as was shown today, but back to back wins give us great heart going forward.

Rob