Sheffield Oaks 30 - 0 Rotherham Clifton
Johnny 1T, Bully 2T, Bob 1T, Aaron 2C, 2P
After a week of rain the match was not always going to be played as a home fixture but with the pitch ok'd by the groundsman the site was set for the 1st XV to exact a bit of revenge after the 2nds loss to Rotherham Clifton the week previous. With the Wednesday traffic holding up the supporters we arrived 5 minutes late to a 5 - 0 scoreline after a great line out the oaks pushed the ball out wide and a quick off load by centre worsley saw the ever present flank forward Bully go over in the corner. Brown stepped up to convert, but the kicking tee let him down.
From there Oaks continued to play well pressuring Rotherham and thwarting their attempts at forming a response to Oaks attack. Eventually Clifton gave away a penalty and Aaron converted. In response Clifton came back and were within a stonesthrow of the line but were unable to convert their pressure into points. Even when they were given a gift of a penalty they were unable to convert it. Oaks again got back down the correct end of the pitch but Clifton managed to keep them from scoring but were unable to find touch when clearing their line. This allowed Scott to do what he does well and carve a swathe up the left wing before Wardy set the ball up for Aaron who ran into space before chipping the ball into space for our very own speedster Jonny, sped past the flailing Clifton defenders, pick the ball up from the ground one handed, skip the first tackle, side stepped the next and still had the speed to run the Ball in next to the posts! Try of the Day by far, which was converted by Brown to give Oaks a 15-0 lead at half time.
Oaks, determined to shake off our recent second half performances, started even stronger, with Matty G, Simon (nicknamed by his father 'the Gorilla') and Dr Jones (who I recently found-out had a song dedicated to him some years ago!) holding a determined Clifton pack for the rest of the game. Oaks 3rd try of the game came once again from the Oaks 1st team leader Bully, after Wardy found some space and made some yards the Oaks pack supported and recycled the ball quickly to the open-side, Bully charged through 2 tackles and touched down on the right hand side. Again the try was converted by Brown.
Through their strength in the scrums in the second half, Clifton began to fight back killing the Ball again and driving at the Oaks with their massive forward pack which led to a bit of a slow down in play. However yet again the Oaks forwards managed to break this up, with Wardak leading the way, taking Coach Spolander’s words of “use your head” literally, by using his head to stop a rampaging run by Clifton’s giant forward. He was subbed thereafter. Moments later a charging run by debutant replacement centre Andy Green, popped the Ball up to Wardy (who in my own defence wasn’t expecting it, saw a gap and went over the line only to be held up! what a Muppet!) It became evident quickly after from an amazing Oaks scrum, which saw Wardy pick and go, who drew a few of the opposition to the left and popped the Ball up to the ever present Bob who took 3 tackles but managed to go over the line for the fourth try of the Match! Converted by Brown.
It was great to see Oaks mannaged continue to play to their strengths throwing the ball around the park playing some entertaining rugby and despite on a few occasions Clifton never really looked like they would get back in the game. All in all it was a great performance right to the end by the team and finished with the best scorline in 3 seasons 30 - 0 to Oaks.
Awards
Because I was playing I might have missed a few details out. But I've decided to list everyone's golden moments that I witnessed. Simon- Only his second game as prop, but you destroyed your opposite number! Dr Jones-under much pressure still managed to hook like a pro every time! Matty G-Again stood up to your opposite number and came out the winner! Paul-best tackler in the team managed to put their biggest player on his arse and made him squeal! Rich-amazing round the break-down as usual (how's the eye…Beautiful!) Bob-Support play was amazing and got your 3rd try in 15 years! Bully-all over the pitch and led from the front as usual! plus 2 tries! Jimmy- made his debut for the first and as a number 8, we both had a hard time with the scrums but you held your own and protected the ball! Wardy-Cant really write owt about myself other than I will try not run sideways as much Aaron-awesome chip through to Jonny! Al-made the first try and always dangerous on the attack! Anael-proved that he's still awesome even when drunk! Andrew-they didn’t know what to do with you, made many yards! Jonny-What a try and looked dangerous throughout! Scott- Are you actually Ben Foden?? Andy Green-The Rugby League convert smashed many players and nearly went over also! Brian-Solid play awesome at turning the ball over! Steve-another league convert who played well out of position! Donny-You were away if the ref had played advantage! Dan - Another debutant, probably a winger but did a great job as a lock
If I have missed anyone out it wasn’t intentional!
Man of the Match - Very difficult decision, too many great performances, but if pushed Bob and Bully can share it, but since Damo thinks his performance for the seconds was “anger central = Oaks win, great victory boys!” (Source: Facebook) , surely we have to give it to him!!
DOD - It should be Anael for being late and drunk! But Damo wins it for being MOM for the firsts.
Fantastic effort guys everyone stepped up to the mark and its clear the Oaks are becoming a force to be reckoned with! well done keep training and the wins will keep coming!
