Saxons
Matches
Sat 14 Apr 2018
Silhillians RUFC
Saxons
26
7
Barkers butts
Sun Sets on Saxon's Final Home Game

Sun Sets on Saxon's Final Home Game

Garrick Rock16 Apr 2018 - 16:08
Share via
FacebookTwitter
https://www.silhillians.com/te

Saxons beat Barkers in baking conditions at Copt Heath

With a strong squad of 18 ready to face Barkers on Friday night Saxons went into Saturday confident of avoiding the 14-player debacle they suffered at the away leg of this fixture. However, with a full 7 members of the squads assembled at 2:30, Gaz’s nerves began to fray. By the time 3.00pm had rolled around Saxons lined up to face a coach load of 22 Barkers players, with a perfect 15.

The opening exchanges were tight with first Barkers attacking at Sils try line before being repelled before, Sils had their own attack at Barkers try tine. The Saxons were repelled after some iffy line outs from Henry Morris. The deadlock was finally broken on 25 mins when Ollie Bullock broke through the line to charge at the Barkers’ posts. Bullock was brought to ground by a valiant tackle by the Barkers fifteen. Sensing that the time was ripe for some ‘total rugby’ Bullock sprayed the ball into the air on the 5m line. This landed at the feet of the last Barkers defender, but before he could react Henry had hacked it down the try line, utilising all of his minimal pace, Henry beat the last defender to open the scoring for Sils. The defining play of the final 10 minutes was a Barkers scrum on the halfway line. By the time that the front row had looked up Barkers were 40 ms down the pitch and pressing on the try line. Some desperate defending from the Sils backs held the barkers attack long enough for the forwards to get back and set a defensive line. After some tight phases Joe Pick and Henry had turned the ball over and Sils were out of danger. The only drawback to this fine passage of play was that Sils suffered an injury that they could ill afford to Steve Mitchall. Sils ground out the rest of the half to take a slim lead into halftime at 7-0 with 14 men.

The first ten minutes were characterised by the same tight exchanges as had dominated the first half of the match. The stalemate broken by a piece of individual brilliance from Dom Marks. Taking a kick on his own 10m line Dom stormed up the pitch to the Barkers 10m line where he was confronted by 3 barkers players. Un-phased, Dom dinked over the top of them before re-gathering the ball on the 22, some silky feet cut up the last defender for Dom to go over under the posts, 14-0.

The next ten minutes were all Barkers with some repeated Sils penalties and errors leading to a scrum on the Sils five. The Barkers pack gave it their all but got no change out of the Sils front row and gave away a silly penalty for holding onto Von. The danger had not passed however, as in the next minute Barkers had turned the ball over. This error was then compounded by Joe Pick giving away a penalty, followed by a meltdown, at the next ruck. Barkers opted for a scrum and with a slick pass to their 10 on a hard line had scored their first try. This scored was marred by some classic Rugby shirt holding under the posts. After everyone had decided that they would rather not be red carded for an actual punch the match resumed; delicately poised at 14 - 7 the restart would be crucial.

Thankfully it had could not have gone better for Sils, as Christie Maclaurin tore up the field to gather the restart from a glorious leaping catch on the Barker 10m line. From here the champagne rugby was well and truly turned on, with slick passing from Ben Lowe, Josh Mallett and Ollie Powell to set Ian Williams up for a score on this annual outing. Mitch had plainly missed the message that Easter was weeks ago and promptly returned from the dead to spur Saxons on. With a full 15, some more slick passing in the backs lead to Dom adding to his first try to bag a brace. The final 5 minutes were spent in a mire of set piece nonsense worthy of Wayne Barnes, with reset scrum and iffy line outs for the purists. The referee eventually took pity on 30 sweltering blokes and called time on Sils’ final home game, with a thumping win at 26-7.

By Henry Steven Whitlock Morris

Saxons play their final game away at Salts next week looking to cap off a fine season before the annual dinner.

Missed kicks 1 vs 4 Not straight Lineouts

MoM – Christie Maclaurin , fantastic carrying all day. Honourable mentions – Dom for “that try”

DoD – Harry Law, for running a perfectly good Sils back line by dropping out last minute. Honourable mentions – Joe Pick for a full meltdown after being penalised at a ruck.

Match details

Match date

Sat 14 Apr 2018

Kickoff

15:00
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Players sponsors of Jamie Morrall & Sam Dugger - Dirty Donkey bar & pizzeria
Pitch side Board Sponsor - Sherwood Dental Practice
Pitch Side Board Sponsor - Jerroms
Shorts & Perimeter Board Sponsors - CFGI
Perimeter Board Sponsor  - Colour & Works Ltd
Perimeter Board Sponsor  - Aspire Homes Midlands
Perimeter Board Sponsor - Key Construction Midlands Ltd
Main Shirt Sponsor  - Mercedes Benz of Solihull
Shirt Sponsor  - FBC Manby Bowdler LLP
Shirt Sponsor - PRIME Wealth Planning
Shirt Sponsor - PRIME Accountants
Pitch 2 & Shirt Sponsor  - Probate Solicitors Ltd
Shirt Sponsor - Solutions2
Shirt Sponsor - The Marketing Pod
Shorts and Perimeter Board Sponsor - Cardinal Steels Ltd
Match Ball Sponsor  - Meridian Private Client LLP - Solicitors
Match Ball Sponsor - Cap Ex Associates Tax Ltd
Perimeter Board Sponsor - RORCON
Perimeter Board Sponsor  - Harborside Logistics
Perimeter Board Sponsor - The Flying Elephant
Perimeter Board Sponsor  - Vision Properties
Perimeter Board Sponsor  - Century Heat Treatment & Plate Company Ltd
Perimeter Board Sponsor - Legacy Developments Ltd
Perimeter Board Sponsor - Knight Frank
1932 Club Partner - DM&Co Sales & Lettings
Perimeter Board Sponsor - The Wheel Specialist
1932 Club Partner - J.C. Trophies
Perimeter Board Sponsor - Fun Fest
1932 Club Partner - Tom o’the Wood
Perimeter Board Sponsor - Tough Guy Productions
1932 Club Partner - Rich Kirby Elite Performance
1932 Club Partner - My Wellness Toolbox
Perimeter Board Sponsor - Graddon Property Services
Perimeter Board Sponsor - GcRock Plumbing & Bathrooms
Perimeter Board Sponsor - Eastcote Wealth Management
Perimeter Board Sponsor - Umberslade