Men’s 1st XV v Guildford 31/10/2009

Home – RFU Senior Vase

Report by Andy Ward

Lost 20-23

The morning rain had stopped although it had left the pitch a little heavier than of late as the teams prepared for the game. The crowd were moving to the touchline bellies nicely loaded with the Bangers and Mash that had been offered beforehand. The menu choice and price seemed to go down well with all and so this is something we need to look at.

Referee Hague checked his watch and invited Hove to commence the game with the traditional kick of the ball. Guildford immediately attacked the ball and there was some good and exciting play by both teams in the opening skirmishes. First blood was to Hove as the ball went out on the Clubhouse side for a line. Jamie Waller (as ever) caught the ball and set up the maul. Good ground was made and the ball was worked out and down the backs line. Ben got the ball from Matt and ran a little before releasing Adam who had a bit of a juggle but retained the ball and released it to Dipo who then ran in the try in the far south east corner. 5-0. Ben then converted the score with as fine a kick as you will see from the touchline and bang. 7-0.

Sadly, there then appeared to be a collective sleep moment as Guildford attacked from the kick off and Hove decided it was everybody else’s job to do the tackling. Eventually, someone woke up – well done that man – and a tackle was made. The ball was then kicked forward and an offside Guildford player was chasing it. Hove seemed to concentrate on this player who then stopped running as his team were screaming at him and the kicker then ran through and touched the ball down. There was some doubt as to whether a Hove hand had touched it down first but the referee gave it. The first of many decisions that could have gone either way but resulting in Hove not getting the rub of the green.

The conversion was missed and Hove restarted. Ads had an attempt at a drop goal that no doubt he won’t thank me for reminding him and the ball curled harmlessly towards the touchline. Sadly, this went to Guildford hands and they attacked in numbers. The ball was worked down the outside centre channel and then passed out to the right and the winger raced down the pitch being chased by Adam. A foot was just SO DEFINITELY in touch but the flag stayed down and as Adam completed the tackle the ball was touched down on top of the knocked over corner flag – a country mile from the in goal area. Try given. It is just so hard to keep your temper when such an obviously unfair decision has been made. And being positioned right on the touchline at that spot I – and the other ten who were there – all saw the foot in touch.

Scant consolation as the conversion was missed and now the scoreboard read 7 to Hove and 10 to Guildford. More controversy occurred in the next minute as Dipo chased the restart and caught the ball cleanly only to receive a yellow card for a high tackle.

This lack of justice seemed to inspire Hove and even though a man down they carried on the fight and Ben scored and excellent penalty from about three miles out and the score was even. Dipo came back on and Ben slotted home another penalty to take the home team into the lead.From about the thirty fifth minute to the 44th minute when half time was blown, Hove were camped about five metres out from the Guildford line. Wave after wave was thwarted and there were three separate occasions where the referee insisted that the ball had been held up.

So, half time came and the score read 13 to Hove and 10 to the visitors. At 15:20, the game restarted and Andy Fry had replaced Paul Hasib. Paul had been out last week with a shoulder injury and it is to be hoped that this was a precautionary substitution. After 4 minutes, Guildford had an equally pants attempt at a drop goal and this entertained the massed throng even more. It should also be noted that the Guildford 5 had a bit of a droopy tash and so shouts of Young Man and choruses of the YMCA were abundant whenever he got near the Clubhouse side. Good bants!

After 11 minutes, Sean was the next to receive yellow card and so he was off for 10 and Guildford were awarded a penalty which they kicked. 13-13 and a good game was being played out by both teams. Good entertaining stuff although somewhat spoiled by over zealous whistling.

Four minutes later and during a period of ascendency Guildford scored a third try to take back the lead. Again, their kicker didn’t worry Blakey on the semaphore test and so the score stayed at 13-18. Sean got asked to return to the field of play and we had 31 people usefully on the pitch.

Guildford broke again and scored their fourth and final try of the game and again their kicker missed – had he been more accurate then Hove could have been dead and buried. But he wasn’t and we weren’t. Chris came on for Scott and a couple of seconds later Andy Fry came off worse in a collision and appeared to be concussed and so Mark had to replace him.

Hove were attacking again and were clear and heading for the line. A shrill blast from the whistle soon had the entire crowd murmuring regarding the Advantage law. But play was stopped and called back and this time it was Guildford who got a yellow, with their seven accused of something he claimed not to have done.

As he came off the pitch, play restarted and Hove were going forward again only to be stopped once more by the whistle. Another yellow card was produced and the Guildford eleven was on his way to the touchline appearing equally as mystified as the seven a minute earlier.

Eventually Hove were allowed to score a try and Ben popped the ball over to set the game up nicely at 20-23. Five more minutes were played and Hove were camped on the line but didn’t get through and then in the 47th minute of the second half Hove were awarded a penalty. Ben just clipped the ball wrongly and it went the wrong side of the upright and with that Hove’s chances of getting the draw for extra time were snookered.

Then, most strangely – and may I advise someone to look up laws of the game 13.13 and 13.14, the Guildford 22 restart was kicked straight into touch without crossing the 22. Game over was the decision and so off everybody trooped.

Now, this was a Cup game and it is debatable whether we wanted to stretch ourselves in this competition when we want to concentrate on the league. But what if it had been a league game and you had lost because of incorrect decisions.

Anyway – enough of that. I’ll probably get into trouble if I say any more. Back in the Clubhouse, everyone from both sides enjoyed a good drink and some excellent banter – just the way rugby should be and what the game is all about.

Juddians at home next week and we will have our work cut out, but they are only 15 players the same as us and we will give it out best shot.

Performances? Well, I don’t think anyone had a stinker. It was a good, enjoyable game with some good runs, scores, tackles. Jamie commanded the line again and Hove were dominant in the scrum certainly until Paul went off but did pretty good afterwards as well. Ben had a stormer with his kicking and it would be churlish and unfair to pin the missed last kick as the reason for losing. It wasn’t the reason. I think I have alluded to the main reason throughout the report so I’ll keep shtum just now.

Quite possibly the centres were a little under used during the game which was a little disappointing as I think we could have offered more had we been able to get Sean and Ryan going. But they can’t do anything without the ball.

I think, on balance, that my MOM would go to Ben as he kicked nearly everything, ran some good lines and distributed the ball well from the ten spot where we have been a little too static of late. So, how didn’t it get to the centres is what I’m left puzzling over?

Anyway, a bloody good game to watch, disappointing result but all credit to Guildford who played well and were good visitors.

Oh – and don’t forget that now it is November (a semi dark month!) the KO is 30 minutes earlier.