Guy’s Hospital vs Sittingbourne
28th January 2012
With the sun shining, the wind still and our breath clouding in front of us, the boys of GHRFC took to the hallowed ground of Honour Oak Park for a battle against mid-table Sittingbourne. When visiting the opposition’s veritably alpine pitch we had been robbed by a frankly-incorrect forward pass call in the dying play of the game, so we had every reason to believe we should emerge victorious. The team came together well in the warm-up, under coachie’s watchful myotic eye, and a quiet confidence emanated from the team huddle. Pace and aggression would be key to taking control of the game.
With kick-off we received the ball and aimed to hold onto it for as long as possible. Guy’s took an early dominance of possession and recycled ball with impressive efficiency against their ogre-ish opponents. Unable to keep up, we exposed slow centre after sluggish half-back, with runs from James ‘pissy knickers’ Cuthbertson and Steve “Who is this ‘Alex’” Mcqueen leading the charge, blazing towards the Sittingbourne tryline. Alas, we couldn’t quite keep up with ourselves, making a couple of mistakes along the way – similarly blue-and-gold shirts being blamed on more than one occasion. However the pace was set for the game. Sittingbourne predictably took the trundleway back towards us whenever given the chance, choosing scrums when possible, and nearside slow recycling. A powerful drive from a lineout in our 22 meant they drew first blood, as they shoved over the line, before converting to make it 0-7.
Unfortunately we went somewhat off the boil at that point, allowing the opposition to play more of their game and less of ours – and with a lapse of concentration we allowed a lithe back three player to sweep through us and score Sittingbourne’s second try. 0-14.
Guy’s came back with suitable rage, again spinning ball around like bulked-up Harlem Globetrotters, and seeing the territory get eaten up as a result. The forwards followed with untiring battle spirit – John Ryves, Mark Collins and George Child all working like demented moles to keep the ball coming back to us. Our front row, consisting of Jacko, Kanish (lol), and Hadlingcheese, did us proud in the sc(r)ums, giving us an unexpectedly reasonable amount of ball to work with. A few loose kicks and scrappy passes meant we took longer to score our try than we’d have liked, but finally we managed to stretch the oppo’s back line thinner than Duncan Steele’s hair and I was pleased to hold my opposite man and unleash the fine running of Will Fletcher outside me to score our first try. 5-14.
The run of play remained with us, and soon after we saw reward from our supportive running and tireless recycling, as we edged towards the opposition try line and a well-worked maul off a line-out put Rauri down in the corner, making it 10-14. Half-time saw us confident that the run of the game was going our way – that our pace would run the oppo ragged soon enough, and that we should be able to take control.
Alas the halftime break gave the behemoths a chance to regain their breath and come at us again. They returned to their battle plan of just marching and smashing, and we eventually capitulated to another shove from the biggest of them. As he flopped over the line we feared we might not be able to hold back from such weight applied in such an annoying manner. However, soon after, our style of rugby came back to have another say. A number of flashing runs and offloads – when they went to our own players – saw us up to the oppo’s line again, with Fletcher this time working with quite baffling guile to squeeze over for another try, converted by Will Ball to make 17-21.
The game remained tightly fought and the play remained in the middle of the pitch without score for some time, with impressive defence against our lug-eared competitors thwarting their driving efforts. When given the chance just outside the oppo’s 22 we struck, with a penalty, taking us to within a point with 15 minutes to go. 20-21.
Alas, we couldn’t find the purchase on the game to take us back towards Sittingbourne’s line, and instead we spent the last 15minutes camped in our half, defending until the death. Notable hits were put in by John Ryves – who the referee wanted to send off for a head injury, despite there being no injury to the head. “He always looks like that,” was the eventual decision – and George Child, showing strength that belies his tender age. A slender looking Waleed on the wing also represented himself with his usual aplomb, allowing no-one past him. I’ll also claim some credit for sitting their bulky number 12 down – the only time any of the backs ran straight, he regretted it.
The final whistle blew, leaving Guy’s boys who had once again narrowly missed out on victory against Sittingbourne. However we had played with good spirit and enjoyed a closely-fought game. Our pace had stood us in good stead, and with only a little more work together, to minimise our mistakes, we should look forward to a largely victorious rest of the season.
Thanks to all those who came to support, and particular credit to those who engaged in proving that they are tough, and guys, in the toughguy race that took place the following day. Rather you than me.
