What another cracking game!

TO SEE THE PHOTOS OF THIS GAME CLICK HERE.................

We had a good strong side out and four subs and the weather was just right with a gentle sun breaking through the clouds and everyone keyed up for this first international against London French.

Their side was a multi national one with distinctive Aussie, South African, New Zealand and Spanish accents and the odd French cry of "allez, allez" Also their first team fixture had cried off....we found out later that they had 10 first team players in the team and also four subs.

Quite a challenge for our second game of the season!!

However, we also had 4 subs. and with the return of Mark "Bull" Paterson in the front row and Lenny and Dan to beef up the forwards we all felt very confident. Clarkie was also back with us in the outside line and added that extra speed

As it was only our second game we all lacked game practice but O.K. we won the toss and off we went.

the ball was collected and started to move around the forwards from Len, Simon, Peter, Steve and we moved ahead a and the ball was pushed along the line.

The French outsides were up on us very quickly and this seem to be the way the game continued.

The French collected the ball and wiped it down to the wing who set off at a fair rate of notes as Stuart, Steel Man and Dan tried to cover across but thru winger , typical of French play, went over for a good try.

We kicked off and a good follow up by Len started another good movement for us with Ross and Steel Man Mike Bianchi working well together and pushing us back again. The loose maul was well worked by Simon and Peter with Steve in support.

Then we had a fantastic drive when Bull Paterson collected the ball and made a charge for the line. Deano, Simon and the whole pack piled into try and drive Bull over but we were just caught short of the line. Fantastic effort.

Our tackling was quite ferocious with Stuart and Matt tacking out their opposite numbers and covering across to save many a try scoring movement.

Our scrum was as steady as a rock and we won our ball time and time again. Nick gave a good crack at scrum half and again put in some good tackles.

Roger's boot proved highly effective again at stand off and many a time posed us up field.

Steel Man Nike Bianchi pushed and tried a number of movements down the wing but was stopped by a good defence.

The Bulldogs first try was scored by Dan after making a fierce run through the heart of the French Defence he burst through to put the ball down with about 5 froggies on him.

The highlight of the game was when Martin came on as sub on the wing and collected a pass from Len and went hell for leather for the try line .Almost the length of the pitch to bank down our only try of the game.

Will game on at half time and put in some good runs but also a very strange little kick!!!

At half time , Iron MAN Tony and Lord Lenthall had been carefully looking at play and all the options and made a few tactical changes and also took the pressure of our centres. The French brought on their subs. and we also fielded all of ours as fresh legs were very much needed. The changes worked and Martin ran in the first try. Stuart moved to inside centre and Clarkie was then on his shoulder at outside centre waiting for that try moving pass.

During the game Iron Man took some very good action photos of the game which will be going up on the photoboard.

Our centres had a fair old day ,making tackle after tackle and we were fortunate to have suns. to take the pressure off.

Good game and the "Man of the Match" award went to Len for a well deserved display of not only good play but leading the side as Captain of the day.

After the game we all returned to The White Swan and entertained the London French

We lost a very good game by a modest margin. 32 points to 10.