The game was played in great spirit with the Club Cumbria playing positively and at pace in the first 20 minutes with a penalty and a try scored by them. We started to exert the pressure with better skill and power that comes from the selection made at a higher level than the opposition. I feel it only fair to say that we did try a little too hard in the initial 15 minutes, with the line begging and eventually the scores came.
Half time was a water shed for the opposition, who rarely got in our half after the initial 15 minutes but defended constantly, never giving up. Some great sniping came from their no 10, my selection for man of the match for Cumbria, but ours was Callum Dacey who has grown and got better over the last 2 seasons and is a real handful. Tom Wheatcroft with his passing skills and carries was a great addition to the side.
Second half up the significant hill, but with the wind behind was good, but when Aley left the field for a back spasm and other changes, we lost some momentum that enabled the rallying Club Cumbria to get their tails up with a couple of tries before we got the rhythm back and moved back into a team wanting the win.
This result and the result at Staffs (Staffs 14 Durham 41) leaves the exciting prospect at Oakham RFC next weekend KO 14.30 being a do or die not go to Twickenham to face either Somerset or Dorset in the final to be played on the 28th at HQ KO 10am.
Sipporters and families more that welcome to Oakham to cheers the team on.
I would also like to add the small occasion at Banbury RFC next Sunday of the Women’s team playing Oxfordshire to win and get a place in the final on the same day at the same time playing down the road at Richmond RFC.
Supporters again very welcome KO 14.00 on Sunday 21st.
By Mark Powell, Director of Rugby