KN away

This week we travelled to Kings Norton Rhinos after a late change of venue, due to parking restrictions at Sils for a Twelve O’clock kick off.
Heavy rainfall on the previous two days meant that both teams were in for a very muddy encounter and they didn’t let us down. From the kick, knock on’s from both sides meant that the forwards were kept busy from the start with the Sils pack looking strong. It didn’t take long for one of these Scrums to pay off for Sils as Ross broke free of the back inside the Rhinos 22 to score the first try of the game well converted Elliot. From the restart Rhinos pressure ended with them kicking over the top just a little too strong allowing Ben S to watch it over the try line to safely make the ball dead. A little confusion ensued as a 5mtr scrum was initially awarded to only be changed after consultation with the Rhinos touch Judge. Rhinos regained possession from the restart via a penalty which they kicked to touch. From the lineout Sils were strong in defence but eventually overpowered for Rhinos to score in the corner, no conversion.
A knock on from Sils meant another scrum, which thanks to a strong pack and the front row of Joe A, Harry and Noah who rarely get a mention individually, this time was taken against the head, showing just how good this pack really are especially against a very strong Rhinos pack. Another Rhinos penalty was kicked to touch and from the resulting lineout Sils rucking was superb turning over allowing the ball out to the backs along the line where Jacob’s lovely dummy and support from Ethan produced a good try in the corner, no conversion. Another Rhinos kick over the top appeared to go over the try line before it was made dead again by Ben S, to only be controversially adjudged to have been carried back over the line by the Sils full back and this time resulting in a 5yd scrum. But once again that Sils front row were on top form again and for the 2nd time won the scrum against the head, unfortunately the great work in the scrum was overdone by Rhinos who broke to score their 2nd of the match, well converted. An eventual lineout to Sils produced some excellent rucking, with Ben S picking up the loose ball well and breaking forward with good support from Haani and Woody with the latter taking the ball into the ruck, with Sils recycling well feeding Ethan who fed Jamie inside Sils half to show a great turn of pace to score under the posts, conversion Elliot.
Half Time 12 – 19
The 2nd half started with a knock on from Rhinos and the previously strong Sils pack just got stronger, with Ross and Ben G combining well to edge closer to Rhinos line early on. Noah picked up of the ruck to nearly barge his way over the line to be well defended by the Rhinos back line, turning over close to their try line. A miss cued kick clear from the Rhinos only managed to go sideways where Haani was waiting to pounce for Sils first try of the 2nd half, well converted from a long way out by Elliot. From the kick Sils tails were now up and put pressure straight back on the Rhinos with strong running and counter rucking, almost immediately led to another break from Haani to score his 2nd try, no conversion. Sils fitness was definitely beginning to show as it has on many occasions previously and there was no letting up, which showed with a quick taken penalty, eventually leading to a Sils lineout used well allowing Scott to break clear on the blind side to score in the corner, a good effort from Elliot a long way out but no conversion. An unfortunate injury to a Rhinos forward left them a man down, Sils loaning Ben G for the remainder of the game to equal things up. By now Sils were dominating play with Rhinos struggling to get out there half and Sils work rate showed no signs of slowing down, good quick hands and strong rucking led to Ethan going on a strong powerful run to score under the post, conversion Elliot. After a scrum due to the restart not going ten, Sils lineout ended up being knocked on, with Rhinos winning the resulting scrum a break looked possible until Jacob was quick of the mark to put in a solid tackle on the Rhinos centre dislodging the ball allowing Ethan to kick on and chase down to score his 3rd try under the post which was easily converted by Elliot.
Final Score 12 - 50

To sum up, in a game with a large amount of scrums Sils pack proved they are a force to be reckoned with (especially against such a good Rhinos side who never let their heads drop even in the second half when under so much pressure) and in such heavy conditions Sils never showed signs of slowing down right to the end. We hope the Rhinos forward’s injury is not serious and a special thanks to Ben Garside for helping out.