Silhillians early season slump reversed by dispatching Leamington.

The game commenced in glorious autumn sunshine with Sils opting for the kick off on the downward slope of the 1st XV pitch, attacking towards the clubhouse. Opening exchanges were intense, Leamington keeping the ball well, working up multiple phases and forcing some penalty errors from the Sils punished by being pushed back into the retirement home corner.
The old biddies were not be awoken by away supporter cheers however as the Sils defence stood strong to keep a clean sheet in the first quarter. In a backline, comprising of two new faces of Nick Finnegan and Brian Miller on each wing, the Sils backs was dealt a blow when James Arney had to be replaced with a knee injury for Jon Davies. (It is rumoured cries for former physio Jen were heard once more, however they were not answered due to her unfortunate absence from the treatment table this season). This loss meant for a re-shuffle in the backline with third debutant of the day Conor Grogan shifting from open side to centre, a daunting task on debut which he stood up to and impressed with strong carrying and composed play throughout the game.
Despite the unplanned changes, Sils settled and got into their rhythm and even had the first opportunity to go ahead when Tom Lee struck the post from a penalty kick after the 20 minute mark. The Sils skipper made amends 10 minutes later to open the scoring the make it 3-0. The rhythm was starting to come together for the Sils who impressed with ball in hand and left a few chances go begging. Some nice forward interplay saw Fred Howard unusually positioned at stand off to feed Nick Elliot for the inside ball for the big man to waddle in from 20 metres under the posts. Tom Lee converted to extend the lead to 10-0. With 5 minutes to go to the half, Sils showed some good game management to force Leamington back into their own 22 only for this to unravelled when missed tackles led to a Leamington break and for their inside centre to end up under the posts on the stroke of half time, cutting the sils advantage back to 10-7.
Sils opened the second half with another impressive Tom Lee penalty, 13-7. This was nullified with the Leams getting their second try of the game to take the lead for the first time to 13-14 with a gift of an interception try. Mark Parry was given a rest with the new mobile prop Dan Truepenny replacing him.
The following exchanges were as agonising and frustrating as they come as both Sils and Leam’s traded the lead twice each with penalties from the home side and a well work Leamington try. In attempt to steady the ship, now player coach, Mark Evans entered the fray for his customary 10 minute cameo.
With 5 minutes to play Leams led by 3 points but with Sils pressuring with some pulsating final exchanges, it had to be only a matter of time before the home crowd would be disrupting the catheter strewn old peoples home garden with cheers of delight. The pressure was telling on Leams as both centres were sin binned for catastrophic deliberate knock ons. No choice but to go for the scrum for the last play, Sils pack set the platform. The backs class, loading the blindside with a two man advantage, shone through as Conor Grogan fed Brian Miller to squeeze into the corner to snatch the win in the dying moments.
A performance of heart and soul from the home side will now hopefully lead to greater performances as the Sils look to make up for their sloppy start to this seasons campaign.