A Hard Earned Point.

Silhillians 16 – Droitwich 16
A last-gasp Dave Gray penalty proved enough to secure a hard-earned point for the Sils, who had to show dogged defence throughout the final quarter to retain their unbeaten start to the season.
In what was to prove a tale of two halves, in a match where the lead was to change three times before finishing honours even, the Sils were reminded of the competitive nature of this year’s league in the form of a determined Droitwich side.
It was apparent from the beginning that both teams were coming into the game brimming with confidence, and the opening exchanges hinted at the physicality that was to typify the match throughout. The visitors were the first on the score-board, a penalty in front of the posts their reward for a well-challenged kick-off. The Sils were, however, to hit back almost immediately, a successful Dave Gray penalty levelling the scores at 3-3 following concerted pressure from the home side.
A dominant next twenty for the Sils resulted in Gray adding another penalty to make it 6-3, only for the home team to cross soon after for the first try of the match. Strong-running from winger Pablo Hollier followed up by some excellent phase-play in the loose led to good field-position close to the Droitwich line. This was more than capitalised on by the Sils forwards, with a well-worked line-out providing the platform for skipper Lee Jones to score in the corner for a classic push-over try. Gray’s conversion extended the lead to 13-3.
Sils were unlucky not to have another before half-time. Nic Powell’s quick reactions and lightning pace enabled the Sils winger to tear clear for a certain try, only to be cruelly pulled up for a foot in touch by a late linesman’s call. Half-time followed soon after, with both sides taking a well-earned rest on another scorching afternoon. 13-3 at the break.
The second-half saw the away team come out of the blocks, determined to force their way back into the game. The visitors were to soon find themselves a man down, however, following the red-carding of their No. 4 for foul play. This only seemed to further galvanise the Droitwich side, who pushed on desperate to make a break-through.
The next ten minutes saw some solid Sils defence, which led to the turnover of several near-certain tries, moments that were to ultimately prove decisive in the final result. Droitwich did, however, finally manage to cross the Sils line; a well-worked cross-field kick eventually unlocking the home defence. 13-8 with the conversion sailing wide.
In the 58th minute the visitors scored again, taking advantage of an overlap to score out wide. Another missed conversion left the scores equal, only for Droitwich to soon take the lead via a penalty for the first time in the match. This was following some poor discipline from the Sils, a quality that had been excellent in their preceding games.
The late points looked like enough to secure the win for Droitwich, but it was evident that the home-side had other plans, and it was a demonstration of the Sils’ new cohesiveness that they managed to force their way back into their opponents’ half. Some aggressive phase-play in midfield forced Droitwich to concede a penalty, with Gray duly slotting the kick and providing what was perhaps the fairest result to a closely-fought game. 16-16 the final score.
The Sils 1st XV are away to Earlsdon next week.