Mud glorious Mud

A slight contrast from the previous week (as ICE gave way to MUD) Sils travelled to Claverdon for a rearranged fixture from the week before.
As we expected this was going to be a messy affair with the conditions playing a big part, the first play resulting from the difficult handling conditions with the first of many Scrums going to Sils, the ball being fed out to Elliot with his clearing kick chased down well by Nathan, with good support ending in both sides holding strong in the Maul, leading to a Claverdon scrum, in an almost mirrored move as the previous Sils scrum Claverdon kicked clear where Nathan picked up cleanly, excellent Sils rucking followed but neither side could take control. A succession of knock on’s and resulting scrums continued for the best part of the first half. This aside both teams still managed to play some nice rugby with both making their tackles and Sils trying everything to break down a strong Claverdon defence. As the half time break neared a penalty to Sils just inside their own half was kicked long by Elliot, not quite making touch. The Claverdon defence however were put under pressure by an advancing Woody who regained possession and forced over in the corner for the first try of the game. A good effort from Elliot failed to convert.

` Half Time 0 – 5

Straight from the restart Sils earned a Scrum which they won and the ball broke to Haani who powered through to score within the first 5 minutes of the second half starting. No conversion from a long way out. Sils as they always seem to do were now taking a little control of the game when Max broke free evading a couple of tackles earning Sils a penalty, which was worked well along the backs advancing close to the Claverdon try line some good rucking with the ball being recycled well until Woody found himself in another good position to score his 2nd of the game. Elliot’s conversion effort falling short, which with an extra half a pound added to his boots from the mud was not bad. The quote of the day continued for the next few moves “Knock on Scrum, Knock on Scrum, Penalty” until Max’s lovely kick over the top was chased down by Haani to score in the corner for his 2nd. No conversion. Claverdon were still battling hard and making a game of it but Sils were just proving that little bit to strong when a good run from Ethan ended with Ben S picking up of the back of the ruck to evade all of Claverdon’s attempts to stop him to score. Once again in the corner which Elliot must have been thinking by now could these conversion’s get any further away? Good effort no conversion. The remainder of the match played out in similar fashion to the rest of the match without any further scores.
On a heavy pitch both teams battled hard and at times played some good rugby.

Full Time 0 - 25
RA