Ist XV v Homefield Won 33-31 Saturday 23rd January

Playing only their second match in six weeks the Ist XV found themselves up against the much fancied and talked about Homefield side. Boasting two Harlequins academy stars and a host of big quick boys the task facing the Ist XV was daunting. We got off to a nightmare start finding ourselves 14-0 down after 5 minutes as Dan Park, their big, quick fly half crashed over our line. Heads could have dropped, but the team’s resolve and response was fantastic. We endured a torrid ten minutes but our defence was awesome and from turnover after turnover we inched our way into the Homefield 22. Pressure told, and eventually we went over for a try shortly before half time. 14 – 7 down at half time, the team talk focused on our continued defence and counter attack. Within two minutes we had levelled the score, only to lose it a minute later to fall 19-14 behind. Once again we bounced back to score and talk the lead to 21-19. Within five minutes Homefield had scored again with an unconverted try to make the score 24-19. In the last fifteen minutes, with Homefield visibly struggling with the pace of our game, we score twice more to take the score to 33-24. In the dying seconds Homefield scored a converted try to finish the match. Final score: a Feltonfleet win by 33-31. This was an outstanding display of rugby by the the Ist XV and the parents who watched were privileged to watch their performance. What a match. Mr David Broadwell, the very highly respected RFU referee was full of praise for the boys, saying it was the most exciting game of rugby he had refereed for a long time and was impressed with the skill shown by the teams. Praise indeed. Well done boys.

Peter Breakwell