Redingensians 5 Abbey 38

Today was always going to be a challenge, we’ve never lost to Abbey RFC, not even in the days of U6 Tag Rugby, however they’ve recruited well both in terms of players & coaches since Mini Rugby.
The first 10 minutes were all about ‘Ensians, we turned over an Abbey scrum, we camped on their line, but the pressure didn’t turn into points. A couple of lateral moves when straightening the line would have been a better bet saw try scoring chances go begging.
The first score came from turnover ball to Abbey, a quick kick over the top & their speedsters showed their pace to score under the posts. 0-7. More pressure from ‘Ensians went unrewarded before another breakaway from Abbey resulted in another try, well converted from an acute angle. 0-14. Playing against a strong wind ‘Ensians struggled to clear their lines. In contract Abbey used the wind in their favour, kicking intelligently to their wingers & pushing ‘Ensians back into their own 22.
Our forwards were bossing a much larger pack, both in set plays & in the loose, however our usually reliable back line failed to spark for much of the first half.
The next score came from a quick line out to ‘Ensians, Abbey had their backs to the ball & good hands saw the ball reach Cook who finished the move with a degree of aplomb from a tight line. The conversion was missed & the half ended 5-12.
Turning around with the wind on our backs we hoped to be able to play the game in Abbey’s half & for the first 10 minutes it seemed as if we’d get our wish. A clever kick by Crocker at 9 almost produced the try we needed, however Marriott was unable to gather a difficult bouncing ball. The next score would prove to be crucial & came about in rather bizarre circumstances. With the play 30 metres out from the ‘Ensians line a whistle was heard, 21 players stopped, however the Abbey 10 didn’t, lit the afterburners & was gone under the posts. 5-21.
At this point injuries mounted & heads seemed to drop. Abbey ran in three more tries for comfortable 5-38 victory & a bonus point win.
Man of the Match for ‘Ensians, voted for by Abbey was Liam Cook. Abbey’s MOTM voted for by ‘Ensians was their No. 10 Ross, he also won the drink off, Liam needs to take some lessons from his father.
Whilst it’s never nice to lose, we were beaten by a well organised side who took their chances (& our match ball!).
We can take some positives from the match, our forwards were awesome, proving that size isn’t everything. However I feel that the superior fitness of the Abbey squad is something that we need to work upon as a team.
Onwards & upwards!

Paul.