G's v St Francis

The 2’s entered Saturdays game looking to build on the momentum generated in the convincing win over Holbrook a few weeks prior. St Francis, who had, also convincingly, beaten Burgess Hill 2’s away in their last outing, had other ideas! G’s started the game brightly, putting immediate pressure on the St Francis defence. An early decision for G’s to go for the corner instead of the posts unfortunately backfired after some good defensive work inside the St Francis 22 generated a penalty for the visitors. St Francis were fired up for the game and spent much of the first half battering the G’s defensive line. Only, perhaps, a combination of resolute defending and some higher intervention kept St Francis at bay – albeit, not long before half time, St Francis got their reward with a well worked try through their dominant forward pack was scored, an easy conversion added and G’s finished the half 0-7 down.

A few stern words at halftime from captain Noo and a few inspired substitutions from Morgan including Rhys and 2 identical twin Saffas, Duncan and Mitchel, (I am unsure which was which so now referred to as “Saffa 1” and “Saffa 2”) and G’s came out firing. The penalty count started to change in favour of the hosts and G’s were in the ascendency! Saffa 1 and Saffa 2, playing with a telepathic link, offloaded to one another, breaking the gain line and creating front foot ball. The backs, buoyed by this, got in on the action and really started to march St. Francis back down the pitch. The pressure eventually told with St Francis giving away a penalty 15 meters from their own try line. A preplanned moved saw a strong carry from Noo Noo and then, running through a hole, Saffa 1 started the G’s scoring run with Luke adding the conversion.

Jack Andrews, at centre, continued breaking the St Francis gain line and was rewarded for his efforts with a well finished try on 60 minutes. Luke narrowly missing the conversion. G’s, now 12-7 up, had to fight off a spirited resurgence from St Francis who made changes of their own, brining on fresh legs. Some superb defending from Saffa 2, including a hit which I believe turned the St Francis player into dust, began to frustrate St Francis and the game started to get a little spicy. Fortunately for G’s, and slightly against the run of play, G’s again broke the St Francis line and Saffa 1 went in for his 2nd try, again converted by Luke.

G’s, now firmly in control of the game scored a final, well worked, try through Fin Fisher, taking the score to 24-7.

St Francis will be disappointed not to have come away with more and G’s will need to build on their performance before a tough game next week away to Newick.

MOTM and DOTD was awarded to Saffa 1 and Saffa 2, well played lads!