Tempted in by the lure of new kit, a spirited Saxons team arrived early at Copt Heath to get set for a cup match against a handy, unbeaten Southam team. After a poignant minutes remembrance silence the match began. Saxons opened well, catching the kick off and working through the phases to earn a good exit from their own half. After a few early exchanges the game began to settle with both Saxons and Southam enjoying some possession. The deadlock was broken with some skillful passing leading to a queue of men on the overlap; of which Ian ‘Coops’ Cooper was able to take advantage and open the scoring for the Saxons.
Saxons were then back on the attack with a couple of big fends from Mike Gowen to make it deep into the Southam 22 before being tackled. An off load to Jack Fowles allowed him to capitalise and stretched Sils lead to 10-0. Some great tackling from Brian and Ben Lowe kept Southam out for the rest of the half. The feeling at the halftime was positive with the score at 10-0 (Great kicking) and Saxons enjoying the new addition of half time oranges.
Saxons scored again just after the break, with Gowen being rewarded for his earlier work with a try in Club Corner. Saxons then commenced the traditional 55 minute meltdown. This came in the usual form of a kick off that no one was quite paying attention to, which was allowed to bounce into touch just before the 22. Southam capitalised on this mental switch off, and after sustained periods of pressure scored 2 tries.
“Mummy why is Daddy asleep?”, “Is he knocked out?” “Who’s going to jump now?” These were the big questions ringing around Copt Heath as Gowen’s novel flying head-butt tackle strategy was rewarded with a brief mid game nap on the floor, and an early shower. This lead to a shuffling of the Saxons pack with Andy Richmond slotting in to become the 6 that he was made for.
After a good kick off by Andy and a great chase by Paul ‘Pabs’ Hollier, Saxons were back on the Southam 22 with ball in hand. Saxons worked harder and harder and were taken to the 5 meter before a lose pass was capitalised upon by the Southam 12 who ran the length of the pitch to score. This try was unfortunately converted to bring the score to an ugly looking 15-17. At this point the meltdown reached its nadir with Ben and Mitch arguing over whether it was the forwards or the backs had been responsible for the breakaway try.
After ‘Pabs’ had talked Mitch into continuing playing, Sils kicked off again, regained possession and set up a ruck just before the 22. Some good calling of the blind side allowed Saxons to attack down the left wing. Andy Thompson popped to Henry Morris who was able to beat the last man to run in the final 15 meters of the try to bring the score to 20-17.
In the spirit of not making anything easy for ourselves Saxons immediately conceded a penalty from the restart which Southam put into the corner. After going a couple of times in the forwards Southam decided to ship it out wide, but passing the ball forward granted the final whistle and the Saxons were awarded a well earned win.
FT 20 -17
MoM – Oliver Bullock, Honourable mention - Mike Gowen
DoD – Mitch for the Tantrum, Honourable mention- Mike Gowen for the flying head-butt tackle