Sils Satisfied by home victory

A gloomy and wet february day set the scene for a low tempo muddy affair however, Sils tore up the script and were like bouyant pigs rolling in the mud come the referees starting whistle. Phases of strong attacking Sils play were not awarded for long periods with moments of frustration creeping into the Sils decision making. The key trigger to such frustration was the opposing linesman, twice calling touch, firstly on Matt Lee who had crossed the whitewash and dotted the ball down before being brought back for the lineout and secondly on brother Tom who didn't quite have the finishing speed of his brother to stumble short 5m's out.

Sils remained on the front foot the whole first half, finally being awarded with hooker Fred Howard opening the scoring on the 25 minute mark. The conversion slotted by Tom Lee put Sils 7-0 clear. The pressure was kept up for the rest of the half with the Sils pack out performing their opponents in every area of the game- scrum time steady and sound, lineout precise and clean and in open play the Sils bullied Kenilworth in defence and made the gain line more times than the opposing team should care to remember.

As one sided as it sounds the first half ended 7-0, how? We still don't how! The second half began with a few rolling changes, Mike Rayner off for Ronan Jones who had his customary 20 minute spell being attended to in the first half by physio Jen.

With 7 minutes gone, Tom Lee had the opportunity to go 10 clear but hooked wide. Somewhat against the run of play, Kenilworth managed to score a try with a number of Sils penalties giving them the upper hand. 7-7 with half an hour to play it was game on.

In earlier games this season, you may be about to hear of a Sils capitulation, not today. The Sils pigs were rolling in the proverbial once more. The pivotal moment of the game came when a Sils scrum just inside the Kenilworth broke up for number 8 Stephen Hall to break down the blindside. After a small carry from Steve, James Arney received the ball on the 10m line with plenty of work to do. One step past the first defender, a second step round the fullback and another one for good measure against the covering defenders sent him across the line, flying like a salmon. Conversion missed 12-7 with 15 minutes to go. Phil Martin replaced Tom Lee and steadied the ship to guide the Sils pack into multiple pick and drives to kill the game off.
Sils forwards picked and went for upto 30 phases buying a Sils penalty with less than minute to go. Ben Crowe stepping up and slotting the ball through the posts ending the game 15-7.

An impressive performance was rewarded with beer a plenty and some six nations viewing back in the club house to talk tactics for next weekends Warwickshire shield fixture against Earlsdon, in what will be the third fixture between the two sides this season. The game to be played on neutral ground of Barkers Butts on Saturday 10th, KO 2.15PM.