This was a good game, in fact one of the best games we have had this season,
Played by 30 players who all had one thing in mind…..to enjoy the game and to play the game in good spirit with the hope of each side winning.
The Rhinos (fondly known as the Bald Eagles by the Bulldogs) found their way from the provinces without too many problems and turned up with extra players. Very helpful as Tinks one of our props had sustained a groin injury whilst trying out his new mobile hi tech phone on the Verbier ski slopes.
The weather was good and the ground firm so we all looked forward to a settled game.
The Bulldogs arrived on the pitch for a quick pre training session although one of our elderly forward’s bladder had already blown and he could be seem slowly proceeding across the pitch towards a tree where he promptly produced what was classified on the Dutch tour as the smallest Todger ever seen on a rugby tour! However, he did manage to join the team at kick off and then the Rhinos really moved into top gear.
From a kick ahead and a dazzling pass the Rhinos slipped through our defence….we were playing into the sun and the sun was reflecting of the numerous bald heads of the Rhinos and dazzling our defence…the ref wore glasses!
Within 10 minutes we were 7 points down.
This was our first game for two weeks and our previous two games we had taken a thrashing. However, The Bulldogs under the skippering of Lenny the Leap pulled them together and the first scrum started to bring out the best in our front row. Malcolm our veteran prop showed all his canny skills and with Andrew hooking well and with the engine firing on all cylinders we started to move ahead. Our scummage gave us a good platform for Mathew at scrum half to get good ball out to Roger at No 10.
Len, Simon and Matt gave us a good boost in the set pieces and our back row worked well with both Matt and Peter and Dave, the Judge, working away in the loose and covering across to tidy up the Rhino rushes.
The intensity was fierce, The Rhinos had only lost one of their last seven games and pushed hard towards the Bulldog goal line time and again but our tackles went in and Roger’s boot kept pushing’s down the pitch and taking the pressure of.
Our outside line proved highly effective in defence although both Stuart and Jamie had not played for a few weeks. Stuart putting in a high rate of awesome tackles and also put Jamie away a number of times but the Rhino defence stood its ground and it was not an easy task to get through.
But a high kick by the Rhinos found its way to Martin at No 15 and he colleted the ball perfectly and from his own goal line started to run and weave through the Rhinos defence and he ran the length of the pitch to score what must be classified as one of the best Bulldog tries of the season The Rhinos defence was in demoralised and in tatters and Roger converted the try and we were then at 7 – 7 just before half time
A well spotted indiscretion by the ref gave us a penalty which Roger converted to put us 10 -7 at half time
Unfortunately, the prop that the Rhinos lent us was re-claimed at half time but he seemed to diapered from the pitch.
Malcolm’s ; scrimmage had more than established the platform for The Bulldogs.
We were now at uncontested scrums.
The first half had been a hard tough game played in good spirit by both sides but it had taken its toll and a few fresh legs were introduced to continue to take the game to the Rhinos
Haymaker Nick came on in the second half and at once started to make searing drives from the base of the scrum and pushed us right back in the Rhinos half. Pressure was being put on the Rhinos by our forwards with Andrew, Len and Simon making many telling drive at the Rhinos with Matt putting in some awesome tackles watched by his son Lucas !
Malcolm at scrum half pulled a hamstring and Ben came on...
From a forward rush and great pressure on the Rhino line Ben somehow managed to get the ball and sold a dummy to go over for a very good try.
Roger converted and we then increased our lead to 6 points.
Fortunately every department of our play held up…The lineout worked well with Dave jumping well and being protected …this resulted in good ball and fast ball to Roger
The final result a great win for The Bulldogs at 20 points to14
There are times when it is so very satisfying putting a team together and working on the raising of the team during the week and to see the result of those efforts on a Saturday afternoon of rugby. Last Saturday’s game was a pleasure to watch and a great game to play in and a good win and made us all proud to be part of this great little club called The Bulldogs RFC
We entertained the Rhinos back at The White Swan and our commiserations to the Rhino player that fell in the Thames
Good luck for the future and thank you all for playing chaps and making my weekly efforts worthwhile.
Colin Lenthall