Saturday 9 Oct 2004

BHRFC 5s 18 Malone 3s 22

Match Photographs

With two big wins behind us and Malone unbeaten in three, this was the clash the Ulster

rugby public had been waiting for. Only so much loyalty can be shown to Mark McCall and

his merry band of under achievers.

A fine team had been assembled with just a question mark about our lineout options clouding

the positive vibe. Five minutes of practice before hand however and all was well.

Craig gave a Churchillian speech before the match that roused the troops, Aaron tried too but

his was more Phil Collins than Col Tim. All that said and with Malone a man short for the first ten

minutes we still managed to concede a push over try to a huge Malone pack. The conversion was

missed but the tone set for the game.

The suspect lineout was shown up right from the start with Aaron, who before the match was trying

to force a more complex lineout code, managed to forget what he was calling and lifted the wrong

jumper. The captain was then pushed aside and no longer allowed to take charge of the calls.

Tackling seemed to be one of their strong points as Craig found out when a lovely crash ball made

him resemble one of those dummies in the car adverts.

The only lineout that did work was the front peel and a tap down to Chick who managed to juggle

circus like before fumbling to Jamsey. Ground was made however and from the resulting back move

Dowling scored well. Marcus converted to make it 7-5 to Quins.

Malone were now back up to full strength and continued to pummel the fringes of ruck and maul.

The defense held out well but a lack of ball was always going to pay and it duly did with ten minutes

to go when another Malone score and conversion made it 12-7. Again the 5s responded well and another

front peel left Chick a forty yard run to the line with only the traditional 11st winger to mow over. Unfortunately

in Malone they are 16st and beardy. Chick was rogered. We did get a penalty out of it somewhere and Marcus

converted to make it 12-10 to Malone at half time. (The other score to remember was three lost balls over the fence)

Early in the second half the 5s held onto some good scrum ball and Barney scorched through the middle and

left their full back on his arse for a fantastic score. Marcus then missed an easy conversion and shortly

after a penalty which would have sealed it. (I said I wouldn't dwell on it so lets leave it there)

18-12 with 15 minutes and one ball remaining. This game was in the bag if we kept our heads, our back three

were safe under the high ball and it all should have been happy days. One huge kick from their centre put us on our

backs in the 22 and a lineout lost meant their huge, bald prop ploughed over, conversion made and they

went one point up with 5 left. His celebration was something to behold, 'that's Tigers Bay not Helen's Bay'

he screamed. I thought he was talking about pleasant holiday destinations and I was just about to ask

his thoughts on Montego Bay when I read his tattoos and thought better of it.

A last minute drop goal sealed it for Malone.

It was the closest we have ever got to this team and the re-match is a genuine opportunity. Tackling was

high on the agenda and Wally and Alan the Greek excelled. Chris soldiered on despite a catalogue of

injuries that our resident Doctor, Barney, didn't take a look at as per usual (I think it's a scared of litigation thing).

That said Barney had an excellent game and once Craig re-assembled the dummy, he did too. Man of the match though

is for Alan the Greek who really tackled them to a standstill and stole so much ball on the ground.

Dick of the day was won by their bald prop for his resume of the Holiday Program, although Aaron tried again to win

it with a last ditch gay texting attempt. I'll leave you to find out about that one.

1. Aaron 2. Jamsey 3. Marko 4. Neil 5 Alan 6. Chris 7. Wally 8 Chick 9 Andy 10 Marcus 11 Ally 12 Craig 13 Barney

14 Dowling 15 Richard

p.s. if large, baldy, scary, prop asks who writes this, remember my name, Eddie Wilson.