Lions Bite Back To Wound Toothless Sils

A season-defining spell of matches began with defeat for Sils, and their first in almost a thousand minutes of rugby. A resurgent Rugby Lions, back on their own patch after two straight defeats, proved too strong for a much-changed Sils side in front of an impressive Webb Ellis Road crowd. Beech and the Lee brothers were absent in the backs, meaning starts for debutant Phill Martin at 9, alongside the more familiar faces of Stu Clarke and Dan Super. Fred Howard began on the bench, joined by the returning Rafael Guimaraes.

Sils’ cautious start proved costly as Lions crossed the whitewash inside 3 minutes, but the away team made their mark soon after as the backs exploited open space out wide with quick hands for Ben Crowe to cross and make the score 7-5. It was clear from early on that Sils would typically be providing a more flair approach to Lions’ forwards dominated style, but they also tried to play their patterns up front. Ed ‘the shed’ Atkins carried hard from first receiver all afternoon, leveling the Lions 10 in one particularly amusing attempt to halt him.

However it was Lions who would dominate most of the half, leaving Sils chasing the game just as was the case back at Copt Heath in November. Despite Sils holding down decent territory in their half for periods, the home side used their signature driving maul to good effect before their sizeable number 4 charged through for his second of the afternoon, with only 16 minutes gone. Just eight minutes later Lions were on the warpath again, but failed to convert. 19-5.

Sils made movements in Lions’ territory again and were unfortunate not to benefit from some Lions indiscipline, as a lineout in the corner faltered and a kick at goal strayed off target after Manise had pointed at the sticks. As Sils’ set piece continued to splutter, it was the backs that again provided the points platform as some slick handling opened up space on the wing for Stu Clarke to finish in the clubhouse corner. Another tough conversion on a windy afternoon went awry.

Coach Taylor rang the changes at the interval, with Howard, Elliott and Rafael Guimaraes on in places of Trace, Hibbard and Clarke. Sils enjoyed their best spell of the match early in the second half, as Crowe slotted a 30m penalty to reduce the deficit to just 6 points before a well-judged kick long from the subsequent restart led to a total miscalculation from the Lions 15. Waiting for the ball to cross the line, he failed to notice the onrushing Jumpin’ Jack Flash (England Rugby, 2017). Hobbs gratefully accepted the gift right on the doorstep of the try line, and celebrated with his companions as Sils found themselves just a point behind at 19-18.

The game had reached a crossroads, with Sils firmly in the driving seat. However, despite mounting another attack shortly afterwards, Sils failed to capitalise and instead handed a score to Lions at the other end. The game slipped from Sils’ grasp as they struggled to manage proceedings effectively with the boot and played into Lions’ hands by allowing them to utilise their forwards effectively. The floodgates opened on the hour mark as Lions ran in three more tries unanswered to finish emphatic 45-18 winners.

Whilst the scoreline was flattering for Rugby, it was a disappointing afternoon’s work for Sils, who drop back into second place after a brief spell at the summit. A trip back to Sparta next weekend provides a stern test to put things right.

Perhaps the most poignant moment of the afternoon was a minute silence for Graham Webb, long-serving player and member of the club who sadly passed away last week. A hard, fearsome front row forward in his playing days, Webby captained the 1st XV for part of a playing career spanning nearly 3 decades, from Colts rugby to the age of 45. He was part of the famous 1999 Twickenham side which is proving inspiration for this season's squad on their own Cup journey. Following his playing days, Webby was President of the club but most recently, he was a well-known and respected member of the old guard who was a regular on home and away touchlines, and at the bar on Saturday evenings. A true Silhillian, he will be sorely missed by all at the club.