Redingensians vs Guildford 25th September 2011

The sky was not the only bright item on display with a certain member of the 2nd row sporting a fine new scrumcap sympathetically matching the slightly grubbier undershirt of the referee.

The game kicked off with the Rams in blue and Guildford also in blue. Within two minutes of the start, the Rams won a Guildford line out on the oppositions 10m line moving the ball quickly through the backs for Callum to secure the first try of the day in the corner on the right wing, which went unconverted 5-0.

For the next few minutes, there was some scrappy play with neither side controlling the ball and numerous handling errors. The Rams turned their shirts inside out allowing the spectators to determine which side was which. This distinction of sides fooled the Rams who promptly allowed the blues, now Guildford, to run in a try close to the posts. With the wind blustering the conversion was missed 5-5.

Following the re-start the Rams forwards started to put pressure on the visitors, and after a series of penalties on the Guildford 5m line, the ball was moved out to Ben on the left wing scoring the Rams 2nd try. Again the conversion was missed 10-5.

The Rams crossed the line again 2 minutes later after quick ball and neat passing through the backs but this was disallowed as the final pass was adjudged to have gone forward.

The Rams forwards were now starting to dominate their opposition with several scrums taken against the head, with 19minutes gone the Rams were again camped in the Guildford 22 and following another penalty the ball was moved out quickly to David who had joined the backs line going over for another try. No conversion 15-5.

5 minutes later and again following a penalty close to the Guildford line, a neat spin brought Ben in off the left wing to score his 2nd try of the day, the conversion attempt was closer this time bouncing the wrong way off the crossbar 20-5.

Soon after the high time whistle blew with the Rams in control 4 tries to 1.

With a number of half time changes to the forwards, the Rams started the second half as they had done the first. Following a series of drives from the kick off with the forwards moving the ball off the side of the ruck the ball was released to the backs with Andrew going through under the posts. Finally a conversion succeeded 27-5.

The next few minutes developed into some scrappy play, whilst the Rams pack remained in control of the scrum some poor handling saw a period with neither side in control. The Rams trying to move the ball, countered by some solid defensive work and break outs by Guildford. On 40 minutes, following a strong break by Andrew just being tackled into touch close to line on the left side, the Rams won the line out moving the ball across the pitch with the ball being knocked on close to the Guildford line. The ball was turned over from the resulting scrum with Matt at No8 driving across the line from close range. The conversion again went astray 32-5.

After 45 minutes Callum was allowed to stretch his legs going over the line on the right hand side. The conversion, you guessed 37-5.

Guildford started to come back into the game with a passage of play closer to the half way line, and on 50 minutes scored a break away try following a neat interception from the Rams backs on half way, running in under the posts. Conversion success 37-12.

With Guildford carrying a number of ‘walking wounded’ it was agreed to reduce both sides to 12 men, with the removal of the back rows. Guildford to their credit started to exert some good pressure on the Rams with the No 10 breaking the Rams midfield defensive line and going over for a converted try 37-19.

In the final five minutes, Guildford played the better rugby with a number of driving runs stretching the Rams defence, but with no further score.

The final score 37-19, and some passages of good play by both sides, all in all not a bad way of spending a Sunday morning.

The Rams man of the match was Robin with a fine display in his new headgear, a good way to get noticed.

CK