Sils Get A Semi

Against a spirited Tamworth side, a dominant Sils finished comfortable victors on Saturday to secure a semi-final spot and possible date with league rivals Rugby Lions or Spartans.

Despite missing first-choice kicker Ben Crowe and Ben Trenchard through injury, a strong 18-man squad took the field on a chilly but clear December afternoon at Copt Heath. The re-introduction of Mark Parry was a decisive factor in a spotless set piece performance, whilst the backs provided flair in abundance as the high-scoring Sils ran in 8 tries, all superbly converted by stand-in kicker Tom Lee.

The game started at frenetic pace, with both Sils and Tamworth making early forays into opposition territory without getting points on the board. Soon enough Sils began to find their rhythm in the match but most of their territory gains were coming from the boot, as Tamworth showed steely defence through the middle. Tom Lee, Pick and Beech nudged Sils away from danger and it didn’t take long to identify a weakness at the Tamworth lineout with a few ‘not straight’ calls early on. Sils were also dominating the scrum, giving the home side a good set piece platform, but it took all of 18 minutes to break the deadlock as Tamworth continually refused Sils any progress around the ruck. Eventually, a catch-and-drive lineout and some forward phases led to Tom Lee spotting the narrowest of gaps on the short side and feeding Dan Super to squeeze over in the car park corner. T-Lee followed up with an excellent conversion from wide left.

It was to be Sils’ only score from within the 22, the remainder coming from long range and broken play. Tamworth quickly saw the error of their ways kicking to Jack Hobbs who turned assist king, putting Matt Lee over following a jinking run before breaking clear again to send Tim Trace under the sticks. Tom Lee knocked over the extras. Slick backs hands sent Hobbs himself over from 30 metres shortly after Tom Lee had scored with a superb solo effort from halfway. Lee converted both to cap a glorious half, making it 35-0 at the break.

The water was barely off the pitch from half time when Pete Nicholls barreled over and Tom Lee obliged with the extras. Tamworth momentarily forgot what happened when they kicked to Hobbs, as he gathered and danced all the way back through the scattered defence to score his second of the afternoon. Lee added another 2 points and with around 20 minutes left, the score stood at an ominous 49-0. Beechy decided enough was enough and opened his box of tricks, to the delight of the near touchline – you know it’s going well when the no-look passes start coming out.

But to Tamworth’s credit, they didn’t lie down. A yellow card for a Sefa Aukuso no arms tackle – wouldn’t wish one of those on anyone – was sandwiched between two Tamworth tries. They piled over for the first from close range, and Sils looked likely to restore the deficit but Fred Howard made a right pig’s ear of a 3-on-1 by throwing an intercepted pass for Tamworth to run all the way back. 49-14. Not long after, Tamworth executed a kick return of their own, backs combining to score their third in 15 minutes. But it was Harry Law who had the last laugh, through the gap to score in the dying seconds. Or maybe it was Tom Lee, who converted his eighth from eight. Ben Crowe declined to comment.

Sils will face either league rivals Rugby Lions or Spartans, or Midlands 2 East side Coalville in the Midlands semi-final after Christmas. This weekend, it’s back to league action with the visit of Barkers Butts to Copt Heath.