Earls less than gentlemanly in clash with Saxons

19 -24 (7-7)

After a turgid draw played out against Spartans last week at Copt Heath* , Saxons were back on the road to Coventry this week to play Earlsdon. The return of this fixture had been played in pouring rain at Copt Heath, and the Saxons were keen to improve on that defeat. Sils started the first half brightly winning a penalty that Harry Law faded across the face of the posts. However, after a few more phases Sils had won another, this time Harry popped it into the corner. The resulting messy line out led to a Sils scrum. This was built upon with a few more phases, which led to a Rich McKenna pop to an oncoming John Brown 'Brownie', who was able to cross the white wash. The conversion was kicked leaving Saxons 0-7 up.

Earlsdon came back at Sils at this point, and were able to cross after a sustained period of pressure to level the scores 7-7. Ben Lowe then had the next best chance of points, beautifully intercepting a ball on the Sils 22. BLowe was not clean for the glory try however, as an Earlsdon player began chasing him down. Ben then discovered what most of us knew early in life, which is that it is very hard to run at full pelt forwards when you’re looking backwards. He was hauled down just outside the 22, and the opportunity was gone. The rest of the half then settle down into Earlsdon running from their own 22, Sils turning the ball over and Harry Law booting it back to their 22. The scores were locked at 7-7 at the halftime oranges.

The second half did not start well for Sils conceding a scrum in their own 22. The resulting phase play allowed Earlsdon’s big number 3 to go over from close range. Saxons then immediately compounded their errors by not paying attention to a penalty conceded on the halfway line. Earlsdon’s number 8 went down the wing but was put into touch by Dom Marks. The ensuing lineout went awry and Earlsdon were beginning to get out of sight in an increasingly bad tempered game, with the score at 19-7. Henry had the next attacking threat for Sils, chasing down a kick and dislodging the ball over the line. However, his novel attempt to ground the ball with his face was dismissed by the referee despite his most eloquent protestations.

It was soon after this that an upper cut, so cheap it made Greggs look like Waitrose, was delivered to the lower jaw of Ed Tickle. This fired up the entire Saxons team, especially Garrick Rock who made carry after carry. This put Saxons just outside the Earlsdon five with a penalty. Henry took the tap and go bouncing off the first tackle and got to within one metre of the line. The referee judged that the first tackle had been illegal, for not being back 10 and awarded the Earlsdon 8 a yellow card. Another tap go was taken by Andy Richmond who bundled through 3 tackles to cross the line. Due to Harry Law’s injury, Andy Richmond took over kicking duties to bring Saxons to 19-14. The rest of the yellow card period was played out without incident. However, as soon as Earlsdon were back to 15 they returned to 14 as another man was sent off for taking Olly Powell off the ball.

Despite the second yellow at 75 mins Sils were still behind, and Earlsdon were threating the Saxon’s 22. At this point Brain Muriithi put a big hit to dislodge the ball, which was then booted down field by Olly Powell, who was again taken out off the ball. But this was not to matter as Harry Law recovered from his groin injury at the first whiff of glory. Discovering his wheels, Harry chased the ball for 60ms before it bounced up into his arms to be carried over the line. Andy Richmond kicked the points to leave Sils 19-21 up. Sils weren’t done there though, working their way back into the Earlsdon half and winning a penalty with a minute to go. Sensing it was his day, Harry Law stepped up and slotted the vital points to give Sils a 19 -24 victory.

By Henry Morris

Not straight line outs 0 Vs Conversions missed 0

MoM – Harry Law, kicked points, won match. Honourable Mentions – Gaz Rock, did loads of the hard work.

DoD – The bloke that punched Ed Tickle. Honourable mentions – Henry Morris for grounding the ball with his face.

*5-5 Saxons got murdered in the scrum, looked spicy everywhere else (Spartans 13-1-18).