Sils End Season on a High at Salts

Silhillians vs Old Salts 26-0 (7-0)

Saxons travelled over to a carnival atmosphere for the final game at Watton Lane against Old Salts. The weather had also decided that it was carnival season, with high humidity, higher temperatures and light showers. In these Brazilian conditions players’ fitness was bound to be tested.
Saxons started the game well and retained possession for 4 or 5 phases before losing it in a ruck. The very next phase however Saxons had counter rucked well and were building phases to march up the pitch towards the Old Salts line. They were to be denied by coughing the ball up close up to the line and allowing Salts to attack. Some good defence from the Saxons and the game settled down. After 20 odd minutes, a good territory gain for Sils led them up to the Salts 22. Some good interchanges from Ben Lowe and Chirste Maclaurin, and the Saxons were over for their first try. Old Salts had a good attack almost immediately afterwards, however their hooker was stopped on the line by Henry Morris. He did not take kindly to this and frank words were exchanged. The final highlight of the half came in the form of Beaduen Barretesque line break from the Sils’ 10 inside his own half. Reality was snapped back into placed almost immediately, as Paul 'Pabs' Hollier bellowed, “it’s a bloody long way from there Harry”. Harry Law oblivious to his own mortality was undeterred and proceeded to make 40 meters before eventually being hauled down by the opposition 15, to leave the half 7-0 to Saxons.

The Second half started with the back row replacements of Matt Bell and Luke Ettenfield coming on and doing bits at the break down. After about 5 minutes of the second half a true rarity occurred for the Saxons, with a Scrum taken AGAINST the feed. By the time an incredulous front row had looked up the backs had already begun to do their part. Harry Law delivering a worldie of a pass to Blowe for him to snake under the posts and score, 14-0. The next score was even more unbelievable as a completely lost Mike Rayner found himself out on the wing in a 14 shirt. Determined not to disappoint the part time back cut inside to score, bringing the game to 19-0.

Salts were not done yet as they put together some phases to once again threaten the Sils’ line. This attack was ended when their wing was bundled into touch. What followed was the only good line out of the day as Saxons went off a check ball and Blowe cleared up to the halfway line. The referee was determined not to let the Saxons have even one straight one and called the play back due to confusion around the restart. Saxons were soon back up the pitch in any case and won a penalty on the 22. With one eye on the dinner and the top try scoring award, Blowe took absolutely no prisoners, quickly tapped the ball, and slithered through the slightly confused Salts defence 26-0. This effectively finished the game and the season, with the final act being the return of Kev Lane to shore up the line out throwing.

Saxons bid a font farewell to Old Salts and wish them all the best with their move to a new ground. The final icing was put onto the cake of the season, after a quick jaunt down the M42 rewarded Saxons with the sight of Berkswell and Balsall going down at Copt Heath.
By Henry Morris

Season Summary
PG limits us to just 3 awards at the annual dinner, collected by Ben Lowe (Top Try scorer), Henry Morris (Player of the Year ) and Gaz Rock (Clubman of the season), however the Saxons are a more diverse group than that;

The Beaduen Barret Place kicking trophy – Andy Richmond

The Dylan Hartley Award for most un-necessary Yellow card – Josh Mallett – hacking the ball through a ruck at Barkers despite being on a
warning and only having 14 players.

The Mike Brown Award for passing – Ben Lowe.

The Jonny May Award for most successful time spent at flanker – Andy Richmond

The Andrew Clutterbuck Award for inspirational Public speaking – Gaz Rock for his mid game talk at Earlsdon

The Ben Crowe Award for Heroic rucking by a back – Andy 'Von' Cunningham

The Kev Lane Award for line out throwing – Henry Morris

The Matt Lee Award for high tackling – Von

Thanks to Steve Allso for yet another season of commitment.

Season Stats
PL 20, W12, D2, L6
Trys - 98
Scorers – 40
Players used – 67
Front row used - 6
Not straight line outs 87 vs missed kicks 41
Total Points For 601 – 348 Against;
Winner – RUGBY.