Sils 21 - 17 Old Laurentians

Sils welcomed Old Laurentians to Copt Heath on Saturday, knowing the visitors would be seeking revenge for the late winner they conceded against Sils at the return fixture earlier in the season. The rugby based side were looking to cement second position in the league with a promotion playoff being the prize. Sils had other ideas, knowing a win would be enough to overtake them in the league.
On a 4-game win streak Sils started strongest with a Steve Hawkins penalty opening the scoring. Old L’s came back strong however and were reminded of the opponents skilful backline as an intricate move provided the first try of the game, the bonus points were converted for a 3-7 score line. Shortly after the Old L’s almost added another try to the scoreline but were force into touch just yards out. The game was kept tight in excellent conditions until a kick forward was fielded by Joe Brawn who passed inside to Captain Jim Roper to begin a mazy run through the Old L’s team. As defence was quickly turned into attack the Sils team seemed the more hungry in support and Mark O Leary was on hand to finish in the corner. A superb conversion was added by Hawkins and Sils moved into a small lead at half-time, 10-7.
Both sides played a smart game, keeping possession but the Sils pack began to win the tight battle and worked their way up the pitch to create another scoring opportunity. It took a little patience and some brute force to penetrate the tough Old L’s defence and Sils were up to the challenge with Dave Edwards on hand to touchdown and increase the score to 15-7. A sweetly struck penalty was soon added by Hawkins as Sils put distance between the sides. Old L’s were by no means finished and came back strong. Trying to increase the tempo, Old L’s added a try in the corner, which was superbly converted by the Laurentians fly half taking the game into a nail biting final 15 minutes at 18-14. Sils increased their lead to 7 points, again with the reliable boot of Hawkins, only to be pegged back by Laurentians with their own penalty from in front of the posts.
Sils gave away a number of penalties but the visitors could not use them to their advantage, kicking a ball to the corner dead, making a forward pass with only one man to beat and then knocking on just yards from the line before excellent work from the impressive Stephen Hall ripped possession away to relieve pressure. Old Laurentians made a superb fight with the last possession of the game, knowing a try would win it, but Sils showed great character holding out until the end and a spilled ball allowed Hall the opportunity to strike the ball off the field to a jubilant home crowd.
Sils Saxons won their home tie against Bournevile whilst the 3rd home tie of the weekend saw the impressive Solihull Barbarian colts beat Carlisle in the National Cup, with tries from Alex Winter, Matt Spink, Jamie Roskell and Jack Hobbs getting on the score sheet again after his 1st XV hat trick last weekend.
This weekend Sils look to make it 6 in a row, for the second time this season, as they welcome Pershore to Copt Heath for a 3pm Kick Off.