Late score denies Vets a first win at Rudding Lane

After and extensive 15 min warm up both squads readied themselves for battle on a chilly day but thankfully a dry one and a pitch that although heavy was at least playable after several weeks under water.

The waifs did have the luxury of a number of front rowers and were able to rotate effectively throughout the game and both teams were able to call upon the services of a two or three "youngsters" who served to demonstrate at times the speed differential between the quickest and the slowest on the park !!

The waifs did have a sizeable pack boosted by Pete Corner and Tom O'Sullivan and the vets plan was simple - shift it out pdq if possible.

Both sides always tried to keep the ball alive and move it out wide as quick as possible.

After a fairly even early passage of play Jon Godfrey opened the scoring for the Vets and an early 5 v 0 lead.

The lead however was short lived and following a Corner charge the Waifs shifted the ball quickly and scored out wide. 5 v 5

The vets responded and after some smart turnover work by Mike Hardman and Ryan Bradshaw some bullocking carries by Jim Saynor, Big Al Cochrane & Si Womersley supported by the Front Row of Mike, Townie & Cloughie space created for Powelly to crash over and a 10 v 5 lead.

Again back came the Waifs and a long range try under the posts gave them a slender 12 v 10 lead at half time, where the orange segments soaked in Port were particularly well received.

The port flavoured oranges obviously revived a few lungs and with Daws pulling the strings and Will Stevenson always looking dangerous the vets handling and positional play through created several gilt edged try scoring opportunities. Slick interplay between Jon Godfrey, Vince Dunlop, Craig Chisholm, Al Cram and Wayne Lees saw Jon go over for his second try and 17 v 12 lead.

The vets then managed to miss at least three really excellent scoring opportunities thanks in part to some fantastic and aggressive rearguard defense.

As the limbs got more tired spaces started to open up and as the clock wound down Tom O produced an outrageous off-load that fooled not only himself but all in the vets defensive line, all the spectators (including a border collie) to put the waifs winger into space for a score that tied the game.

The kick off almost signified the last play of the game and a further 5 mins of non stop lung bursting activity with the vets pushing for a breakthrough - several players were heard offering coaching tips in the form of "for goodness sake kick it off the bloody park".

The final whistle brought to an end a good evenly contested game, played in the right spirit nevertheless with both sides showing fierce determination and a desire to win albeit at a slightly slower pace these days.

Good fun, some good rugby, a good battle, good banter and a good few beers afterwards................. kind of what the game is all about really!!

Vets Team

Mike Roberts
Steve Townsend
Tim Clough
Si Womersley
Al Cochrane
Jim Saynor
Mike Hardman
Matthew Powell
Ryan Bradshaw
Mark Dawson
Will Stevenson
Jon Godfrey
Vincent Dunlop
Al Cram
Craig Chisholm
Dwayne Lees

Scorers:

Matthew Powell x1
Jon Godfrey x2