Location: Away

Lost 31-6

A much-changed Sheffield Oaks went down 31-6 to Stanley Rodillians but can still take many positives from the performance. With a number of players absent through injury or holiday, Oaks travelled to the Rods with a shuffled pack and an inexperienced back line. Pre-season rustiness and over eagerness led to a first half full of errors and penalties. Oaks were the first to capitalise with an early penalty from fly half Aaron Brown for a Rods infringement. Rods responded with two breakaway tries from quick turnover ball punishing Oaks for their poor support play. Oaks however finished the half stronger and with the windy conditions in their favour, and a number of clever kicks, pinned the opposition in their own half. The forwards also started to turn the screw at scrum time winning turnover ball and penalties and their dominance in the lineout ensured they secured good set piece ball. A late long range penalty from second row Damien Pope meant Oaks got to half time only 2 scores behind.

 

Oaks started the second half as they had finished the first but positional and personnel changes in the Rod pack meant they started to get a foothold in the scrums. Strong powerful running from the base of the Rods scrum and superb handling and running from the backline exposed an inexperience defence and Rods took a strong lead. Oaks again finished the half the stronger with the forwards regaining control at the scrum. Oaks finished the game in a fashion, that  if they had played like this from the start the result would have been much different.  Oaks produced a brilliant flowing move in the final minute, the ball secured by the forwards, shipped wide to Paul Lockwood who was dragged down just short, quick ball secured again and after a quick offload by Aaron Brown nearly put in Pope.  However the ref had seen a penalty offence and Oaks decided to take a quick tap but the ball was knocked on and the game was over.

 

Although defeated, Oaks can take many positives from a spirited performance and a score line that didn’t accurately represent the balance of play but will look to turn more of their possession and set piece dominance into scoring opportunities.

 

Oaks – Geoff, Paul, Simon, Anael, Johnny, Aaron, Hoggins, Kev, Rob, Dan, HTS, Damo, Bob, George, Bully(c) Sub: Donny

 

Man of the Match - Paul Lockwood

D.o.D - Kev Guthrie for running the best part of 30-40 metres to save a Rods score under the posts only to give him a celebratory hug.

Golden Moment - Paul on debut taking down the Rods wingers, and taking them down hard.

Quote of the Day - Between loosehead Kevin Guthrie and the Rod's chatterbox tighthead.

Rod's Tighthead 'Don't worry, you only have five more minutes of me'

KG - 'Shall we keep score?'

RTH - 'I have been - I've been d*cking on you all day'

(Cue theatrical 'OOOOOOOs' from the entire Oaks pack.)

Quote of the Day 2 - Rod's Tighthead 'Come on second row!' passing the buck after being subsequently pushed back at the scrum.

Buster Keaton Award for Best Prat Fall - Head injuries AREN'T funny...though the way Dan Atherton stumbled and fell over in slow motion after a clash of heads was brilliant. Though he did play on, it would be good if Wardy could do that.

Trigger’s Trophy for running penalties – Bob Mudd for taking a quick tap in the Oaks 22 whilst the rest of his team mates screamed ‘NOOOoooo!’.