Vets win 17-11 away to Beccs

Old G’s Vets met up for their first fixture of the season this week visiting Beccehamian RFC on what would be a day offering some great rugby and every type of weather possible.

Old G’s had a strong side on paper with a few names that have been regular features on both the 1st and 2nd team sheets this season. Stu Coleman, JJ and the evergreen Paul Mitchell at front row with Nick Bratton and Andy Day providing a very sturdy partnership in the engine room with Steve Reece and Ben Fenton on the flanks and Old G’s fence hopping battering ram Martin Povey dictating things from 8. Dave Boyer stepped up to play 9 and offered wonderful service all day much to the delight of John Poulson at 10. A centre partnership of MFS and Mr T. made sure that no one was getting through the middle and we would always make yards with ball in hand, Lee Wilson, Gerry Tuck and Gareth Edwards formed a back 3 that made several try saving tackles through the fixture.

Old G’s kicked off and set out their intentions straight away winning turnover ball before any Beccs player had a chance to take a step with the ball, this started a slow trudge up the pitch with some hard hitting from the pack before Dave Boyer grabbed the ball from the grasp of Martin Povey to snipe over the line after a mere 4 minutes of play. John Poulson nailed the conversion 0-7.

This fired Beccs up who were up in the face of Old G’s from the kick and forcing errors, something that would happen far too much for both teams throughout the day. They didn’t waste their chance and were soon over the line and under the posts for a try of their own. The conditions became a 16th man for the old boys at the kick with the wind blowing the ball off the tee twice before Beccs gave up and took and attempted drop kick attempt that resembled a grubber kick more than a conversion attempt - 5-7.

There was a stalemate for most of the half after this with both teams making errors when they managed to get into the red zone. Injuries to Andy Day and then Lee Wilson meant that Oaf, who usually plays against the old boys, and Kevin Spain came on, Spainy taking up a place on the wing. Frustration on the part of old g’s started to cause silly errors and penalties being awarded. Beccs were able to convert two of these and went into the break 11-7 up.

The half time message from Captain Dave Boyer and counterpart MFS was simple, use our dominance up front and keep our work rate up. Changes were made, Stu Coleman off for Brett “SCOOP” Buckingham, Steve Reece gave way for Nick “Gump” Stevens.

The start of the 2nd half was much the same as the end of the 1st, both teams were doing their best to try and break the deadlock with Old G’s having the lions share of the chances. The feeling on the touch line was that it wouldn’t be long till Old G’s would get over the line but we were made to wait for 25 minutes in sleet and high winds till Kevin Spain sprinted over the line after some lovely play from the back line. Unusually there were cheers rather than boos from the sideline, something that Spainy enjoyed somewhat. Poulson was unable to get the conversion against the high winds 11-12.

Beccs didn’t give up and fought to get themselves the lead back but the Old G’s defense was just too strong and resilient turning every attempt into a counter attack and then piling on the pressure. A few decisions didn’t go the way of the Old Boys and stopped the attacks short. Undeterred by this Old G’s gave one last push up the field, the forwards making some serious yards with Dave Boyer dictating the plays. Povey made a dash for the line but was stripped 1m short. The resulting line out was won by Beccs but a knock on meant a scrum, 5m out Povey noticed a mismatch which still remained 1 phase later when he barked at John Poulson to give the ball. This time he wouldn’t be stopped and crashed over the line for the final score of the day. Poulson was unable to convert the points from the touch line and the full time whistle went. Old G’s Win 11-17.

Special mention has to go to Gerry Tuck who put his body on the line for some try saving tackles several times during the game, MFS who took a nasty scratch to the eye but carried on regardless and Ben Fenton who played out of his skin to put several big tackle in. Every single person who pulled on the Vets Green shirts today put their bodies on the line and came out with a great win under their belts.

Man of the match went to Gerry Tuck.