Rawmarsh 16 v 18 Sheffield Oaks

Away

Saturday 23rd January 2010

Lets begin the saga in typical story fashion. On a somewhat unremarkable day, the “lowly” Sheffield Oaks finally made the return to the battlefields, seeking to avenge the defeat suffered at the hands of the “portly” Rawmarsh Warriors. Despite missing a few players, the Oaks could welcome back a few old faces in Baby Mario, Wario, as well as returns from injury of Dr Eggman and Bowser.

The lowly Oaks made their intention clear from the kick-off, as Wario chased the kick, slammed and manhandled Rawmarsh's Iconic captain, turned him over in a tackle and the oaks were awarded a penalty kick. The lowly Oaks, showing their intent for an attacking game went for touch, won the line out, and tried to attack but was then denied by the first of many dubious decisions made by the referee.

Rawmarsh have built there success this season on a very powerful pack, and they used the huge weight advantage to great success. Within minutes of the kick-off, they had their first points on the board, a drop goal attempt after they had missed an earlier penalty. However, it wasn't long before the lowly Oaks were back in the game after the influential Mario made the game all even with a penalty kick from a difficult angle.

Once again Rawmarsh attacked, this time they were awarded another penalty, which they converted, for what they believed was a high tackle on their winger by our very own Yoshi. Video evidence (camera man on the side) proved yet again the ref had made a mistake. To make matters worse, the ref missed a blatant shoulder charge on Mario, when the lowly oaks were 5 metres from the try line. But that's what you can expect away from home in front of a sell out home crowd.

Rawmarsh played to their strengths, by killing the ball at every opportunity and hoping for a scrum. Despite the valiant efforts of Bowser Jr, Didi Kong and Baby Mario, our front row was simply out blubbered, and the lowly Oaks lost many scrums against the head. However, despite the scrum going backwards, Donkey Kong did manage to scoop the ball out the back of the scrum and made some telling breaks, well supported by Dr Eggman and Knuckles.

Rawmarsh tried to play there forward game, moving the ball up the pitch with their heavy forward pack, but the Oaks lowly defence stood solid. Captain of the day, Vector, led by example with everyone of the forwards making telling hits on the opposition, stopping the Rawmarsh pack from gaining any momentum. Rawmarsh resorted to kicking game, with both their Flyhalf and Fullback having very big kicks on them. However the ever cool Luigi at fullback was never really troubled and on a number of occasions, with the help of Yoshi & Sonic turned defence into a great attacking platform. Half time was approaching, with the scores level on 6 points a piece, after Mario had converted another penalty. The ref awarded Rawmarsh a penalty for …...., well they won a penalty to take the lead into half time 9-6.

The second half began with a flourish with the oaks making the most of their attacking back line, spreading the ball wide at every opportunity. Shadow made some incisive breaks, and was well supported by the galloping gate of Waluigi. The oaks lowly back line was a constant threat to Rawmarsh's defensive line. The lowly oaks superior fitness was beginning to tell, even in the scrums, where the ever versatile Donkey Kong had reverted from No8 to prop to help steady the scrum. The lowly oaks showed their attacking class from our first solid scrum, when Scrumhalf Princess Peach fed the ball into the scrum, gave a delightful pass to Mario who had called a blindside move, Mario took the ball at pace, and against his usual habit, kept the ball in hand, straightened his run, drew 2 defenders and threw a perfectly timed pass to Sonic who had work to do from outside the 22, but managed to beat the cover defence to score a wonderfully worked try in the corner. Mario unfortunately could not convert the kick, but the lowly oaks led 11-9.

Rawmarsh struck back within minutes however, with a well worked try from a line out, the lowly oaks were caught off guard as the hooker threw a short throw to the front of the line and took a pop pass back, trundled down the touchline, using his immense body weight (helped by Princess Peach having a piggy back ride) to simply barge past the oaks defence and score in the far corner. The kick was converted to give Rawmarsh a lead of 16 – 11.

Shortly after, Wario's creaking bones had called timeout, and with despair the oaks looked at the substitute bench, only to be relieved to see Bowser trundle onto the pitch, a welcome return from injury. Bowser set about immediately to prove that his bite was bigger than bark and made some big hits on the opposition pack. The momentum was with the lowly Oaks with rampaging runs made by Dr Eggman, Vector, Donkey Kong and Knuckles. Rawmarsh's defence was coming under increasing pressure, and they again resorted to killing the ball and trying to win the scrums. Further substitutions brought Silver to the party, in place of Yoshi, and Coach in place of Didi Kong. Coach's festive belly added some much needed weight to the forward back.

The ref continued to play his part, by awarding some baffling decisions for both sides, but the Lowly Oaks got a penalty right in front of the posts, and after much deliberation an elaborate plan was hatched which no one knew what to do, so ultimately the ball was cleared by Rawmarsh. However, the lowly oaks performed a perfect set piece move this time from a line out Bowser Jr called a short line out, Knuckles was thrown into the air by Baby Mario and coach, Princess peach passed a lovely ball to Mario, sent a flat pass out to Shadow who broke the line and raced towards the try line, drew his man, and passed to the flying Luigi to score a wonderful try in the corner. Mario stepped up to take the kick from the touchline, and with ease(luck) slotted the ball between the posts. The lowly Oaks lead 18-16. Rawmarsh to their credit came back at the lowly oaks, using the scrum as an attacking platform and almost won it at the death with a drop goal attempt which sailed wide.
OAKS WIN OAKS WIN OAKS WIN!!!!
Well done boys!!!

Team:
Bowser Jr Trig
Didi Kong Joe
Baby Mario Dansk
Vector George
Wario Zeyd
Knuckles Bob
Dr Eggman Jimmy
Donkey Kong Simon
Princess Peach Wardy
Mario Brown
Shadow Chris
Waluigi Geoff
Yoshi Flook
Sonic Harrison
Luigi Shep

Bowser Luke
Silver Lockwood
Coach

MOM – Has to be awarded to Mario for his control of the game, some bone crunching tackles and clever attacking plays, although special mention for Shadow and Dr Eggman for outstanding displays

DOD – Normally this would be awarded to Damo, but it has to go to Baby Mario. Well done for forgetting to bring rugby boots for a rugby match. Applause all round.

Moment of the Match – To many to choose, so the funny one is seeing Waluigi sprint in what can only be described as a stride resembling that of a Triple Jump athlete.