This week we travelled to Nuneaton RFC for a fixture which some of us anticipated was going to be a tough one and this was indeed the case.
Sils started well and within minutes, Ethan scored first. An exquisite step from Elliot saw Ethan take the ball and hand off two defenders to score.
In the words of the Japanese naval commander after the Pearl Harbour attack, “I fear all we have done is awoken a sleeping giant!”
Nuns began a period of play which their forwards dominated at the breakdown. They utilised their biggest lads to great effect and this led to their first score.
The game restarted and we saw the same again, strong rucking and mauling particularly by their big second row lad (who was the only person in Warwickshire that could look Waif in the eye!) who saw lots of ball and scored again shortly after their first.
The Sils lads were somewhat shocked, but instead of panicking they simply rolled up their sleeves and set to work.
Nathan epitomised this when he took the ball on the halfway line and charged up the park, handing off three players and recycling well when he eventually went to ground.
Ross then took the bull by the horns and, after a strong driving maul by Sils, went over for our second.
We now had a game on our hands with both teams fired up and committed at every tackle.
Next to score was Elliot. A nice piece of interplay with Ethan saw him with open field in front of him and he sprinted down the wing for Sils third try. Elliot converting all three tries in the first half left us with our noses slightly in front at the break.
Half Time Nuns:14 Sils:21
A few changes at half time and a new front row for Sils and we were off again.
Some great solo efforts were on display. Oscar going on a strong run and handing off players with skill and grit which was lovely to watch.
Ben Graddon, still continuing to get stronger each game, was getting right into the Nun’s player’s faces.
Harrison again punching well above his weight with some colossal hits and Woody throwing himself into the game as if his life depended on it!
Next score came from a strong Sils scrum on the Nuns 22. An ever alert Max picked, went and sold the sweetest dummy to go over for a lovely try.
The game was now as physical as it can get. Strong running from both sides and good defensive tackling was a joy to watch.
Sils then scored again with Elliot carrying well into the eye of the storm, the ball made available for Harri to seize at short range, and go over for a well earned try. Conversion unsuccessful on this occasion.
Sils continued to pound the Nuns defence and, although ground beyond the gain line was sparse, they were relentless in applying pressure in the right areas.
Jacob then decided it was his turn to register a score. Another strong run from Oscar saw him offload to Jacob who timed a hand off to perfection to allow him to cross the line for our eighth try of the day.
Nun’s bigger lads were now unfortunately beginning to blow a bit and Sils looked more and more comfortable and began exploiting gaps with ease.
Smithy then scored a lovely try (Oops, sorry I rubbed this one out on my pad as it was disallowed for crossing??!). I very rarely disagree with refereeing decisions but in my day it would have been considered a lovely scissors move between Smithy and Jacob for a great try. Ben was looking as confused as the rest of us when it was disallowed.
Final try of the day went to the ever hard working Ben Garside who positioned himself well and took a nice crash ball to score a very well deserved try after putting in another huge shift for his team.
Today was a great game to watch with some hard rugby being played by both teams and a few amusing references to “handbags” mentioned on the touchline by some parents.
All said and done it was another win for Sils and a good, solid squad performance to be proud of.
Final Score Nuns: 14 Sils:45
GW