Saturday 17th February 2007
Burley II XV 24 Old Brodleians Vets 12
Duncan Elsey, Guest, Guest
Karl Hayward, Al
Jim Griffin(2nd Half), XXXX, XXXX
Matt Bradney
Ronaldo
Darren, Gav Leeman, Foxy, Tom
Tim Betts
Following a meet of uncertainty about numbers looking like possibly less than 10 at one stage the team took to the field, discussion with the Old Brodleians captain yielded 2 front row forwards and former Burley player Matt Bradney looking for a game we ended up with 12 players kicking off in a Burley shirt. This was Karl's first game as a captain and a quite skilful toss was won enabling us to play uphill first half, as Karl said "They'll be Knackered running down hill by half time". Old Brod's were a team of forwards and carried considerably more weight than the young Burley side (young with the exception of the 2 guests, Duncan and Matt). It was Brod's who brought the game on to Burley in the opening skirmishes using their greater forward power-weight ratio. However Burley defended to a man and denied the opposition a score, causing much frustration to the Brod's pack and particularly the scrum half who at times totally lost his game and became increasingly niggly trying to disrupt the Burley game. The referee lost things as much when awarding a Burley line out on the halfway line and saying "I know it should be your scrummage on the 22, but you can have a lineout back there". It was Burley who took the first points of the game after declining a possible 3 points from a kickable penalty and putting the ball in touch for a line out. On losing own ball it was quickly recovered and spread to the right where Ronaldo popped up to go beside the sticks. Unfortunately what seemed automatic extras went slightly right and Burley led 5-0. Brod's gathered themselves and played a bit of rugby resulting in a try in the bottom right hand corner when they put their extra weight to positive use on their part, the kick was missed and the scores were level at 5-5. This didn't last too long as the Brod's players got further frustrated totally lost the plot and allowed Burley to get the upper hand as the scrum half and No.3 prop seemed more intent on taking Duncan out of the game for some reason, but only really taking themselves out of the game to such an extent that it led to Burley retaking the lead through Karl Heywood, this time improved by Tim Betts. Not long before the end of the half Brods managed to sneak over for a close range effort as Burley ran out of defenders to the left of the posts, Brod's also converted their second try to leave the score level at the interval. Half Time 12-12 The interval produced Jim Griffin form the first team game having been subbed over the road and Jim made an immediate impact with a big offensive hit on the scrum half as he took the ball up. With the added man Burley began to play a more expansive game spreading the ball along the back line with much regularity. It wasn't too long before Burley regained what was to be the lead that would be kept. Along searching kick to the bottom right corner resulted in Burley pinching a line out as the Brod's hooker lobbed the ball to one of the guest forwards who's deft pass allowed Karl in at the corner. A valiant conversion attempt from the touchline by Tim just drifted wide to produce a 17-12 scoreline. From this point the game became a rather scrappy affair with a few cheap shots from Brods continuing in trying to wind up the Burley team resulting in the opposite as it just motivated them into playing the better rugby and use of the gaps behind the Brod's defence as Burley launched a few kicks over the top for the fast men to chase down the hill, one such kick resulting in the game clinching try for Al in the No.8 shirt, but playing in the second row. Gav' Leeman, having a good hand and boot in this move but just losing out in the chase for the touchdown. Tim converted and Burley led 24-12, which would be the end result. There was just a little time left for the referee to come out with some interesting decisions, in what appeared to be an attempt to get Brod's back in to the game, He was more interested in the level of the language than dangerous play and had been finicky and petty throughout the match. Full Time 24 - 12 There was just time for a little self petulance from the chief protagonists of the Old Brodleians internal downfall as the No.3 and 9 refused handshakes and disappeared over the wall before either team had applauded each other from the field. This was a very good win for Burley over a vastly more experienced side. Congratulations go to Karl on his first win as a captain but I don't know who was man of the match because I was not wasting a good hot bath. Thanks to all who turned out especially to Matt and the two guys from Old Brod's who I gather may have played on a winning side for the first time this season. Let's carry this on and get a side out every week until the end of April.