Top Work on Top Pitch for the 2s

With autumn internationals, a past players luncheon and both teams at home in local derby’s against local rivals colne and nelson. A full squad was available some old faces, some returning and even a debutant.
With the refs arrival 2 mins before kickoff it was straight into it the maroons with the kick off into the breeze and the drizzle. The maroon pack started with intensity the returning Aussie Dan straight back with a trademark big hit was to set the tone for the day. With the first scrum of the day and the first test for the front row of Jones, Penney and Whittaker but with Watson’s steady hand at 9 the more powerful maroon pack was never looking like loosing a scrum. With clean ball Watson with time and space fed Probert at 10 whose new boots put a spring in his step as he jinked and jived offload to mat mason whose settling in to life at 12 running hard with the returning joe Jesus smith at 13 clearing the ruck it was will jones with the pick and go, Mitchell Jones loving the freedom as he makes the 8 shirt his own with the next big carry penalty awarded with the skipper opting for the points up stepped Probert cool calm slotted it nicely 3-0 maroons.
The restart carefully gathered by Craig Harrison out on the wing set off, Watson settling the line and directing traffic saw the phases building rumbling up the pitch making ground every run colne on the back foot the maroons building piling on the pressure five meters out tails up the big lads can almost smell the whitewash as colne pinged for being off feet skipper ball in hand the maroons not quite set went only for the ref to blow up the ball hadn’t been tapped first. Surely the big lads not quite that smart ? But with the maroon line set Watson ball in hand who tapped and hit the young Tom Whittaker on a bullocking run blood dripping from his nose smashing through 3 as he crashed over the line putting him in contention for top try scorer so far this season Probert adding the extras 10-0 and 20 mins on the clock.
From the restart colne came back firing the maroon defence tested and tested time and again but the wall remained strong but with a bit of indiscipline saw Cole awarded the penalty and then the maroons marched back ten and then another 10 for someone backchatting to the ref saw colne inside the maroon 22 for the first time few good phases but held just short of the line, but 2 phases more saw colne with an overlap as they crossed in the corner no extras added. But this passage of play saw Jack Nadin's game at full back come to an early end with a knock to the knee so bit of a shuffle round saw Ben Wheale recovered from his hand injury on in the centres and joe Jesus smith dropping to fullback to take us to the half.
Changes at the half saw Big Geoff swapping with Aussie Dan and on for Forrest on the wing came making his debut the young Henry Thornber running on the pitch to play alongside his dad.[picture] Cue the proud dad moment.
The maroons started the second half like they started the first full of heart and power Mitchell Jones from the scrum on a great line ran into two colne defenders and was folded like a pretzel and was gently rolled off the pitch to receive treatment colne took this moment to change a prop and go uncontested in the scrum. So with a change of tactic, out from under his poncho looking leaner meaner and fighting fit came Richard Murray his chance to shine at 8 yep you read that right the bearded prop on at 8 eyes wide grinning like a kid at Christmas and like a super tanker picked from the base and ploughed through first one then two more defenders gifting the ball to a charging Penney who was held short of the line. With Ben Wheale running lines dragging defenders left and right the pack giving Watson and probert time and space the maroons starting to ascend in their dominance but with the clock ticking down slowly tactical sub saw will Jones relinquishing the line out throwing to Penney on came Tom hardman in a strange move since he was last seen at the past players dinner hoovering up a cheese board with a fine port but after swapping boots with Jones on he came joyously with a spring in his step and with Murray needing to retreat to his poncho back on came Forrest to join the pack while Jamie Taylor went to 8.
The phases kept coming but colne wouldn’t quit and in a tit for tat period both teams defended like there lives depended on it for the last round of changes saw Aussie Dan back on for the skipper and Simon Gretton on for Craig Harrison it was time to dig deep nothing fancy now keep it simple do the phases gain ground win ball and then a cheeky crossfield kick by Watson saw Thornber junior in a foot race down the right wing to the roars of senior screaming for him to back himself but alas the ball went dead. Colne kept coming but the defence remained ferocious with big hits coming time and again turnover won Watson to mason who banana kicked the ball into touch to bring the finale whistle and a 10-5 victory in a close fought game that had it all. But man of the match goes to Ben Wheale the storming runs defensive hits were instrumental. A tough gritty performance but a well earned victory.
Report by KK