County Cup Victory over Rivals Minch

The 2016-17 rugby season started with a humdinger of a fixture. Minch at home to Stroud in the County Cup. Both teams had avoided each other in the last few seasons due to quirks of fixture lists or inclement weather conditions so whoever was going to win this would be classed as the cream of the 5 valleys.

It was Kramer vs Kramer, Classmate vs Classmate, even Teammate vs Team mate in the case of Rodborough U13 footy team who had Stu in a bundle of nerves as half his footy team played for Stroud, but some key members also were turning out for Minch today.

Even before the game kicked off Stroud were in the throws of an injury/availability crisis in the forward pack. Orgy had thrown a sicky en-route to the game. It was probably a case of delayed Delhi Belly after his brother’s recent illness laden trip to the sub-continent. Keyan was hobbled with a tight hamstring that copious lashings of Deep Heat were trying to keep under control. Callum was out with a leg injury and other forwards were unavailable due to other commitments. Fortunately a strong back line was available, but could they get decent ball to show off their copious skills?

As it was an official cup fixture a neutral ref from the GRFU was present to oversee the fixture and enforce the new rules that now took line outs out of the game to be replaced with an equivalent of a tap n’ run penalty. A 3/4 sized pitch was also on hand to provide another challenge to the players and their fitness levels and in the 50 minutes that followed there would be nowhere to hide.

First half

Forwards: Stoner, Laurie, Liam, Jedd, Mr T, Keyan
Backs: Hilly, Will, Dave, Arthur, Joe, Flash, Alex

Minch kicked off and the ball bounced into touch which gave Stroud the first chance of a penalty throw/run. Predictably the ball went to Keyan who barrelled forward. Just as the Minch tackles closed in the ball came out to the right and went through the hands of all the backs out to Joe who made good ground up the right wing. As the cover tackles forced him to cut back inside the ball then got passed back inside and ended up in Dave’s hands and he found a seam to attack and got through to give himself a clear run to the try line and a 5-0 Stroud lead. It was a great attacking move with perfect timing on the passes and the correct decisions made by everyone.

Minch kicked off and Jedd caught the ball well and went on a rumbling run. Eventually he was brought to ground and good rucking presented good ball to the backs. Stroud started another passing move and Minch gambled on an interception that failed and the knock-on gave Stroud a scrum. A strong Minch pack won the scrum though and attacked with the backs to the left and the right. They were forced out of play though so this gave Stroud another attacking run that Keyan led and with an unselfish pass he was unlucky that it was just out of Arthurs reach and he knocked on.

Minch had a scrum that ended up twisting through 90 degrees that caused a reset, but also an injury to their prop. They won the reset though and attacked right but an alert Will intercepted the ball and at the subsequent ruck Stroud were awarded the scrum that the duly won. Laurie was doing a great job as replacement hooker and a big shove from Jedd and Mr T gave Hilly clean ball to get out to the backs who attacked to the right. The ball came back to Stoner who went direct up the middle. The ball came back to Keyan who was well positioned on the shoulder and he carried on the direct line. Minch were penalised on their 22 and at the penalty Keyan took the ball on. Minch had a good game plan though and closed quickly on Keyan, he looked for the offload but Minch saw it coming and intercepted the ball and attacked back at pace. Fortunately Alex saw the danger and stepped into the tackle before the Minch player had any support to pass to. Stroud quickly turned the ball over and it came out to Joe on right wing who went on a mazy run. Minch again somehow intercepted a pass though and this time it was Dave’s turn to put in a saving tackle but he went a bit high and was penalised.

Minch ran the ball from the penalty and under pressure from good tackling changed tact and went for a long kick. Alex covered it well and ran it back down the wing. Stroud had good support at the breakdown and the ball came back to Arthur who was quickly felled. This time it was Minch’s turn to win the ruck and their combative forwards forced a turnover. Play broke down into a number of rucks and Stroud were penalised for off-side but with the advantage Minch kicked deep but an alert Flash recovered the ball under strong pressure from Minch so the ref brought it back for 1st infringement.

At the penalty Minch attacked with their big 2nd row. Keyan was upto the task and brought him down well. Stroud were again penalised at the breakdown though. This time Minch kicked for the corner and had the attacking penalty tap ball. Again goliath vs goliath with Minch big kid tackled by Keyan. This time good rucking by Jedd and Mr T deep in their own 22 got them turnover ball. The ball popped out to Keyan who attacked down the middle. He was well supported by Dave who took the pass on and cut back the opposite direction and scored another long distance try. 10-0 to Stroud.

At the subsequent kickoff it was Lauries turn to catch cleanly and run back. As he picked up a head of steam it commited more Minch players to the tackle and ruck. Luckily Stroud won the ball and it came out quickly to the left and Dave had another long run to the try line and a 15-0 lead. At this point Dave subbed himself off for Jack as there was no air left in his lungs after the 3 long distance try runs.

Another kickoff. Another different player to show their catching skills. This time it was Liams turn but a lack of supporting runners meant Minch turned the ball over. They attacked to the right but Arthur and Alex combined to thwat the attack. The ball came loose and new boy Jack showed his aptitude for the game by picking it up and quickly attacking to the right. Showing his overall awareness of the situation he drew in the defender and passed the ball out to the right to a perfectly positioned Arthur who ran half the length of the pitch to make it 20-0.

KIckoff #5 and Stroud again ran it back well. Will got the ball and he passed to Keyan who flipped a pass to Liam that somehow he defied gravity to pick it up off his ankles and still keep his balance and keep the attacking move going. Laurie was the next benefactor of the attack and kept the pressure on Minch. He was tackled high though and Minch were penalised. An alert Hilly took the tap penalty and gave it to Will who spotted a gap and scored a try in the left corner. 25-0 to Stroud.

At the next kickoff Hilly took responsibility and towered above Jedd to take the ball cleanly and then run to the right to the applauding parents that were marvelling at his salmon like jumping prowess. Minch didn’t respect good play though and just put in some crunching tackles. Jack got the ball out of a ruck and ran left. Alex saw the opportunity and joined the line from full back and took the ball on at pace and then passed onto a looping Keyan. Flash took the ball on at pace at the Minch 22 and started to jink back inside but Stroud were penalised for a crossing move. It would have been another stunning move had it paid off but it showed the confidence of the team to try these moves in a tough game.

Minch had a tap penalty but they soon knocked on. Stroud won their scrum and attacked to the right with Arthur but he was soon slowed down by good Minch tackling. An alert Laurie picked up the loose ball and attacked back to the left but a good Minch tackle stopped him in his tracks. Liam again showed great dexterity to pick up the ball at speed and he attacked the line. He was tripped up just short but as he wasn’t held he quickly regained his posture to dive over the line and a 30-0 lead.

Another kickoff and another opportunity to score. This time Joe caught the ball and he motored down the right wing and somehow managed to dance down the touchline and avoid desperate tackles. He went over in the right corner for a great individual try. Stroud 35-0 Minch

Will caught the next kickoff and ran it back. Pass onto Keyan who continued the move. At the subsequent breakdown the ball was held up so Stroud were awarded a scrum that the duly won. These Stroud forwards were doing a great job with their new positions and lack of subs to give them a decent break. Will called a switch move and Arthur cut back inside which caught Minch off guard. They put in a good cover tackle though and Harry cleared out well to give Hilly good ball. A quick pass to the right put Jack in a good attacking position. He took the ball on well and was unlucky to knock on in the tackle but he was also looking for the offload as well to try and keep the ball alive. Minch ran the ball back on the left wing though and there was no defence there as they were all involved in the previous phases of Stroud attacking play. Minch 5 – 35 Stroud.

This try galvanised Minch though and they dominated the last few minutes of play. They camped in the Stroud 22 and kept pressure on the defensive line. Stroud were getting drawn into the rucks and in 1 occasion the ball came out to the Minch left and their big 2nd row got the ball at speed. He jumped in his Mack Truck and accelerated to the line for a sure try. Fortunately Alex was there and put his body in where it hurts and brought him down. The loudest cheer wasn’t from the Stroud parents though, but footy coach Stu who realised that his footy defender hadn’t injured his goalie so they’d be good to both play footy next weekend.

Minch quickly recycled the ball though and attacked left but a desperate tackle on the Stroud line forced the Minch winger out of play. At the lineout pass Will kicked long for touch but it came up short but Jonathon showed great technique to catch the ball cleanly with 99% of his body on the field of play, but his little toe in touch so claiming the ball as out. A bemused ref shock his head in bewilderment, checked the rule book for advice and couldn’t find a suitable judgement so just blew for half time instead.

Half time was taken and the subs were rotated on both sides. Could Stroud keep their focus and go on to produce a 2nd great half of rugby or would Minch show their tesam spirit and come back hard like they had at the end of the 1st half.

2nd half

Forwards: Stoner, Laurie, Liam, Jedd, Harry, Keyan
Backs: Flash, Will, Dave, Jack, Archie, Finn, Arthur

True to form the 2nd half started with a change of weather. The sun disappeared and the rain clouds moved in with increasing wind speeds. Parents checked their smart phones worried this meant snow was on the way which is normal for Minch at any time of the year.

Stroud kicked off and Minch saw an opportunity and attacked down the left wing and scored immediately. While we were still shaking our heads in disbelief it happened again that Minch again returned a kickoff down the left wing and were held up on the line and just as we thought we had escaped with a good defensive stand they scored in the left corner for a 35-15 scoreline. Arthur came off injured and Alex was sent back on as full back.

A short Stroud kickoff was penalised with a Minch scrum on half way that they won. They attacked left and right through their backs and made it into the Stroud 22. A good tackle from Harry forced a knock on though and Stroud won a penalty at the subsequent scrum on their own 22. Will kicked for touch but the swirling wind kept it in play and Minch ran the ball back well. They were forced back though with good Stroud defensive pressure so Minch adapted and kicked long. Keyan in his roving role ran back to pick up the ball and set off on another rampaging run. He was tiring though and a strong Minch tackle forced a knock on. Minch won the scrum and attacked right and had a good overlap. Alert tackling by Finn though held them up short of line and quick good defensive pressure by Alex forced Minch to hold on so they were penalised.

Will kicked for touch and Stroud had a lineout tap n run on their own 22. The ball came out to the right and Jedd had a good run. He was well supported by Harry who won the clearout. Archie had a run down the right wing and at the next breakdown Stroud were penalised so Minch kicked deep. They had a tap penalty in the Stroud 22 and it went to their big 2nd room. Again he jumped in the Mack truck and crashed through the tackles and this time he got as far as the try line but Stoner somehow managed to hold him up and stop the ball grounding.

Minch had a scrum on the Stroud 5 though and the ball came straight through the channel and an alert scrum half picked up the ball for an easy try. Stroud were waiting for a scrum reset but it never came. Play to the whistle kids….. Now the score was getting close. Stroud 35-Minch 20.

Another rejig and Alex came off and Edgar came on at wing and Finn back to full back. From the kickoff Minch attacked to the left but a good tackle from Archie and Jack forced them out of play. From the tap Laurie attacked and passed to a tiring Stoner who knocked on in the tackle. Minch won the scrum and attacked left and cut back to the right to score an easy try and close to within 10 points. The tide was turning and the injuries were mounting and the rotation of the subs and positions was taxing the minds of the coaches and also the reporter who was struggling to account for the correct names on the pitch…….

Will went off and Alex came back on, this time to play Number 10. Keyan and Flash also stepped off for a break. In typical Stroud fashion they bucked the trend though and their front row played the whole game so special kudos for Liam, Laurie and Stoner though who were only getting breathers when the teams reset for kickofs or scrums.

Dave stepped up and took the kick off and then showed his leadership by being 1st person to the tackle and forcing a turnover. Stroud were awarded a penalty and Dave ran to the right. Liam took the ball on though and kept Minch under pressure. The ball was recycled well though by Mr T and the ball came back to the left and Jack and Edgar combined for some good runs. Minch had a scrum which they won and kicked deep to relieve the pressure. Finn caught the ball at pace though and ran it straight back. Play broke down though and Stroud were awarded a scrum. Jack and Mr T came off for a well deserved rest and Arthur and Keyan came back on. Minch won the scrum though and attacked left. A refreshed Arthur was able to chase down and put in a good tackle though. Minch held on so were penalised. Keyan ran the penalty back and passed to Arthur who kept the move alive with a deft pass to Finn. Play slowed down though which gave Will chance to return to give Alex a break.

Stroud had a penalty that Jedd took on and did a great pass to Dave. He passed onto Stoner who came back to the left and passed to Liam. Minch were penalised for off-side so Will kicked long for touch. Joe and Hilly came back on to give Archie and Flash a rest. Stroud attacked from the throw in and Dave cut inside. Play slowed up but Minch got sucked into the breakdown and after great counter rucking by both sides the bacl came out to Will on the left who squeezed past the mInch tackles and scored in the left corner to give Stroud a 40-25 cushion.

Dave went off injured and it was time for Alex to come back on and play his 3rd position – inside centre. Stoner caught the kick off and a messy few phases of play followed with the ball held up close to the breakdown. Minch were eventually awarded a scrum that they won and they attacked left and then right. Stroud were penalised and Minch again kicked for the corner. At the tap run the big guy got the ball and powered over the line for a try and closed the score to within 10 points again. The tension was rising and could Stroud keep their focus or would Minch keep the pressure on. More sub changes from Phil and Mark to try and keep fresher bodies on the pitch.

Fortunately Minch dropped the kickoff backwards which slowed down their attack. They ran left but were forced out of play. At the tap run Keyan took the ball on and as the Minch defense slowed him down then Stoner took on the ball. Finn then received the pass and onto Alex who had now moved to outside centre (position change #4). Arthur was supporting well and took the ball on at pace but was quickly tackled as Minch saw the threat. Minch had been penalised through and the ball came back for a Stroud penalty. Keyan ran it straight up the centre and then onto Will. He passed onto Alex who ran to the right. He did a “show and go” and left the defender grasping at air while Alex drew the next defender. The ball came back to Will and he showed great skill to kick for the corner. The ball stayed in play close to the try line and Will chased it down but the Minch defender managed to do enough to prevent Will from picking up the ball but it was all to no avail as a speedy Joe had also chased the ball down and he picked the ball up and dived over the line for the final try of the game. The whistle blew for full time and celebrations could start.

Final Score: Minch 30-45 Stroud

Wrap Up

Both parents, players and coaches were relieved with coming away with the victory, especially after Minch showed great character to come back so strongly in the 2nd half and really make a tight game of it. Tunnels were formed and both sets of players applauded each other for a thrilling game of rugby played in great spirit. The players retreated to the hot dog stand to get some well earnt food and then both teams mixed together and the school friends then compared war stories and showed off their battered bodies to each other. I am sure there will be plenty of banter at school next week but this time it’s the Stroud kids that can enjoy it as the Victors of the Valley!

No man of the match awards were given, probably because everyone was too physically and mentally exhausted to work it out. Definitely a game of 2 halves with Stroud showing great skill in the first half in allphases of the game, but Minch showing great resolve and attacking spirit to force the game into such a close encounter. Stroud showed great resolve though to dig deep and battle through the fatigue, injuries and position swaps to hold on and run out winners. It bodes very well for another exciting season of rugby.

Rest those bodies kids and prepare for another game next week. Hopefully with a few more subs to help out in the forwards to keep them as fresh as possible on these big pitches.