Everything but the kitchen sink

Sils made it two draws on the bounce in Midlands 2 South (West), maintaining their undefeated record whilst being left to rue the fact that two points were not secured in this gripping match.

On a blustery day against traditionally strong opposition, the Sils arrived at Earlsdon keen to make amends for last week’s second-half showing against Droitwich. This ambition was quick to show from the off, though the energetic pace with which the visitors tried to play against the wind was to prove to be their undoing early on.

Earlsdon started well out the blocks, making good use of the elements to keep the Sils camped in their own territory. An early long-range effort was soon followed by a successful Earlsdon penalty after pressure at the scrum, putting the home side first on the scoreboard ten minutes in. This lead was extended moments later as Sils looked to run the ball out of their own half, only to gift the opposition seven points in the process through a piece of sheer misfortune. After good phase-play from the visitors, a loose ball behind the game line bounced straight into the hands of the Earlsdon centre in space, who took his chance well to score under the posts. 10-0 to the home team.

The Sils continued to push forward, making good use of their powerful driving-maul whilst attacking the Earlsdon midfield with some fine attacking from both forwards and backs. No.8 Peter ‘Shelf’ Nicholls was particularly noticeable in making ground, his strong runs from the base well-supported by the rest of the Sils pack. Any turnovers were quickly punished, however, with the slope and wind adding yards to any clearance kick. One of these was to lead to the second Earlsdon try, with the home-team number eight driving over after a late-phase Sils error had been returned with interest by an Earlsdon boot. 17-0 to the home side at half-time.

The second half saw the Sils get off to the best possible start, confident in the knowledge that the conditions were going to limit Earlsdon to a handful of attacking opportunities. Quick pressure and heavy tackling in midfield led to an early interception by winger Paul Hollier, who finished from thirty metres out for his fourth try in as many games. Two minutes after the re-start and the deficit was down to 17-5.

The rest of the half was to prove almost entirely one-sided in nature as the Sils kept pushing for that second score. Desperate defence from the home team kept the visitors at bay for a time, though there was an air of inevitably when the breakthrough finally came in the sixtieth minute, this time in the form of skipper Lee Jones. Great hands and ball retention from the Sils led to a sharp reversal of direction from the base by Harry Law, who fed the Sils’ blindside flanker in space to cross near the posts. Dave Gray duly added the extras to make it 17-12 with twenty remaining on the clock.

Sils proceeded to ‘kitchen-sink’ the last quarter, throwing themselves at every Earlsdon shirt that moved in an attempt to secure that winning score. Open-side Alex Roper and fly-half Dave Gray were especially active in levelling any opponent that came their way. With seven minutes remaining, winger Nic Powell almost found himself in the clear, only to find himself hauled down by last-ditch home defence. Some superb hands kept the move alive, and although Earlsdon managed to turn the ball over, concerted Sils pressure at the breakdown led to a penalty being awarded with just one minute left on the clock.

Dave Gray’s kick put the Sils’ line-out just five metres short of the home try-line, and with the last play of the game, the Sils pack delivered. Having driven the home side to within inches of the line, it was the skipper who once again emerged to deliver the final blow, crossing in the corner for his second try of the game. Gray’s conversion attempt was sweetly struck and on target, though faded in the final moments to drop just under the bar. 17-17 the final score.

The Sils entertain Kidderminster at home this Saturday in what is sure to be another competitive match. All welcome.