Silhillians 12 – Old Coventrians 5

On an afternoon that was always going to be as much of a battle against the elements as it was the opposition, the chances of a repeat of the try-fest against Kidderminster were slim to say the least. Indeed, it was a new-look OCs side that started the better of the two sides, maintaining possession from the kick-off and progressing into Sils territory with some effective ball carrying. Making good use of their large pack, Old Covs drove forward, tucking the ball under their shirts and presenting little in the way of turnover opportunities throughout the opening quarter. Only through some last-ditch defence were Old Covs prevented from really grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck, although the pressure was, eventually, to tell with a try in the corner to make it 5-0 to the visitors after twenty-five minutes.
 
The score seemed to spur on the Sils, and some fluidity finally began to creep into their game, despite the desperate handling conditions that prevented several promising attacks from developing into try-scoring opportunities. Repeated ill-discipline by Old Covs around the fringe was to also prove frustrating in developing any meaningful phase-play, though a platform was eventually found in the opposition twenty-two through some accurate kicking by Harry Law.
 
With one of the Old Covs front-row in the bin, the scrum went to uncontested, and after several attempts from close-in the Sils pack finally drove over for a well-deserved try, Peter Nicholls emerging from the bottom of the ruck with the ball and the plaudits. 7-5 to the Sils, with the score proving to be the last action of the half.  
 
The Sils started the second half in determined style, playing with a control and poise from the off. Repeated breaks by forwards and backs alike meant that the Old Covs found themselves on their line on more than one occasion, scrambling to prevent what would have been killer blow in these conditions.
 
With wave after wave of attack held up just short, however, it was starting to look ominous for the Sils, who simply could not turn the pressure into points, and when the Old Covs’ winger tore off with an intercepted pass, the writing appeared to be on the wall. Only some superb tracking back by ‘Shelf’ Nicholls and debutant winger Jon Vickers, both racing nearly the full length of the pitch, prevented what would have been a heartbreaking score against the run of play.
 
Galvanised by this, the Sils moved up a gear for the final twenty minutes, and breaks by fly-half Jim Roper, full-back Steve Hawkins and winger Nic Powell were again extinguished only inches from the line. The pressure was building, though, and when a chip through by Roper was deemed to have been carried over by the Old Covs defender, it provided another opportunity for the Sils pack, welcoming back prop Gaz Rock after a long lay-off through injurity, to turn the screw. Another break by Nicholls from the back, with centre Joseph Brawn and the rest of the support behind him, proved enough for the Sils eight to power over the line for his and the team’ssecond try of the afternoon and with it the victory. 12-5 the final score.
 
Though far from pretty, this was an excellent performance all round from the Sils, and with a tough run in to the end of the season, the players should take confidence from the knowledge that they can deliver in these hard-fought games. The Sils travel to second-placed Spartans next weekend. All support very welcome.