Bedworth 20 – 16 Silhillians

After last week’s sub-par performance against Worcester, the Sils were looking to finish the season with two good wins, starting away against a Bedworth side in need of a result.

A bright start saw the visitors retain the majority of the possession, though points were to prove hard to come by as the Bedworth defence held strong. A penalty goal from starting debutant Steve Hawkins steadied the nerves, only for it to be cancelled out shortly after by a Bedworth pushover score, the result of a wheeled scrum on the Sils line. The successful conversion from the returning Bedworth thirteen made it 7-3 after twelve minutes.

Several minutes later and a scrum in the same location resulted in another score for the home team. Despite a strong drive from the Sils pack, the Bedworth pack capitalised from the position close to the line to drive over for the try and make it 14-3 with the conversion.

The remainder of the half continued to see no effort spared from either side, both intent on securing the valuable league points on offer. Opportunities proved few and far between, though a well-executed move from first phase possession saw the Sils backs put winger Nic Powell away in space with one of the game’s few chances for open play, only for the chip-through to drift out near the Bedworth line. Another penalty from Hawkins kept the visitors in touch at 14-6 after forty minutes.

With the game finely poised, the second half was to prove another cagey affair with so little between the two teams. Ill-discipline allowed Bedworth to extend their lead with a brace of penalties, though a fine score from the Sils dragged them back into contention, backs and forwards linking up excellently to put winger Rich Kirby away in space for the try.

Another score by skipper Lee Jones ensured the final ten minutes were played out on a knife-edge as the Sils threw everything in to securing the winning score. A break by Steve Hawkins from the Sils’ own line had the supporters ready to celebrate as the Bedworth defence were caught on the hop, only to see the pass to Kirby in support adjudge as forward by the referee.

The final whistle was to trigger celebrations from the home team, and dejection from a Sils side that felt they deserved more from this determined performance. One remaining home game against local rivals Berkswell & Balsall could still see the season end on a high note, with the performances of the younger members of the side, in particular the back three with an average age of eighteen, boding well for next year.

Kick off 3pm. All welcome.