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Sat 11 Sep 2010 · Midlands 2 West (South)
1st XVBerkswell & Balsall
Tries: H Law, M ParryConversions: S Hawkins (2)Penalties: S Hawkins (2)
30
17
Silhillians 30-17 Berkswell & Balsall
Nick Savage13 Sep 2010 - 20:18
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Off to a flying start
Silhillians RUFC 30 – Berkswell & Balsall RUFC 17
Saturday saw a new-look Sils start the 2010/11 season in fine fashion with a bonus-point win against local rivals Berkswell & Balsall.
A successful summer of training and recruitment translated into a superb first few phases as the home side dominated the early proceedings, B&B conceding two penalties in the process as they struggled to come to terms with the tempo. Both were well converted by Sils full-back Stephen Hawking, leaving the score at 6-0 after only ten minutes played.
These initial exchanges were soon followed by the game’s first try, engineered by fly-half Jim Roper who was to mark his first league match as 1st XV Captain with an excellent all-round performance. A quick break near the breakdown put the Sils ten clear, and with just the fullback to beat some sharp hands allowed prop Mark Parry in support to deservedly finish under the posts. 13-0.
Berkswell & Balsall answered quickly in typical fashion, with some intelligent kicking and powerful mauling securing field position close to the Sils line. This allowed the visiting pack to finally cross with a set of pick and drives unlocking what had been up to then some spirited home defence. 13-7 at half time.
The Sils came out of the blocks strongly again in the second-half, and an early break from Stephen Hawking, supported by winger Pablo Hollier, pushed the Sils deep into B&B territory. Quick ball afforded the home backs some space, and a flat miss pass allowed centre Simon Doherty to find a gap in the line to finish round the covering defence. 18-7.
The next twenty minutes were almost all B&B, with two well-taken tries adding a sense of urgency to proceedings as both sides looked to start the season with a ‘W’. The first, a chip-and-chase from the fly-half, was swiftly followed by a series of phases that left the Sils stretched out wide, enabling the outside centre to finish in the corner. 18-17 to the home side.
This seemed to jolt the Sils to life, and another try soon emerged from some concerted pressure in the B&B twenty-two. Harry Law, only just on as a blood replacement, found enough space to burrow over in the corner after some strong running from centre Stuart Tirebuck, another player who had a fine game with some excellent yards made off the first phase. 23-17 to the Sils with ten minutes to play.
B&B proceeded to throw everything at the home side, and a number of line-outs close to the Sils line left the supporters feeling somewhat uncomfortable as the clock ticked down. A succession of turnovers, however, relieved the pressure and from the ensuing clearance the Sils secured possession within the visitors’ half. Another excellent break from Roper saw the game put to bed with a finish under the post from thirty metres out. Hawking’s conversion left the score at 30-17, the bonus point added to cap off a good afternoon.
Saturday saw a new-look Sils start the 2010/11 season in fine fashion with a bonus-point win against local rivals Berkswell & Balsall.
A successful summer of training and recruitment translated into a superb first few phases as the home side dominated the early proceedings, B&B conceding two penalties in the process as they struggled to come to terms with the tempo. Both were well converted by Sils full-back Stephen Hawking, leaving the score at 6-0 after only ten minutes played.
These initial exchanges were soon followed by the game’s first try, engineered by fly-half Jim Roper who was to mark his first league match as 1st XV Captain with an excellent all-round performance. A quick break near the breakdown put the Sils ten clear, and with just the fullback to beat some sharp hands allowed prop Mark Parry in support to deservedly finish under the posts. 13-0.
Berkswell & Balsall answered quickly in typical fashion, with some intelligent kicking and powerful mauling securing field position close to the Sils line. This allowed the visiting pack to finally cross with a set of pick and drives unlocking what had been up to then some spirited home defence. 13-7 at half time.
The Sils came out of the blocks strongly again in the second-half, and an early break from Stephen Hawking, supported by winger Pablo Hollier, pushed the Sils deep into B&B territory. Quick ball afforded the home backs some space, and a flat miss pass allowed centre Simon Doherty to find a gap in the line to finish round the covering defence. 18-7.
The next twenty minutes were almost all B&B, with two well-taken tries adding a sense of urgency to proceedings as both sides looked to start the season with a ‘W’. The first, a chip-and-chase from the fly-half, was swiftly followed by a series of phases that left the Sils stretched out wide, enabling the outside centre to finish in the corner. 18-17 to the home side.
This seemed to jolt the Sils to life, and another try soon emerged from some concerted pressure in the B&B twenty-two. Harry Law, only just on as a blood replacement, found enough space to burrow over in the corner after some strong running from centre Stuart Tirebuck, another player who had a fine game with some excellent yards made off the first phase. 23-17 to the Sils with ten minutes to play.
B&B proceeded to throw everything at the home side, and a number of line-outs close to the Sils line left the supporters feeling somewhat uncomfortable as the clock ticked down. A succession of turnovers, however, relieved the pressure and from the ensuing clearance the Sils secured possession within the visitors’ half. Another excellent break from Roper saw the game put to bed with a finish under the post from thirty metres out. Hawking’s conversion left the score at 30-17, the bonus point added to cap off a good afternoon.
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