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This week's Guest Reviewer - Broughton
Prop, Jonny Wells.
With the regular scribe away helping the
Edinburgh Accies 2nd XV, it seems only fair that a fellow prop should take his
place and submit the match report from the crucial match at Lasswade on
Saturday.
However, due to having my head stuck in a
scrum for most of the match and then consuming a large amount of beer at Paul
Hamer's birthday bash, this match report is penned with a mixture of eye witness
accounts and what people have told me later on in the pub. Apologies if
i've missed anything!
Following the heart-break and disappointment
of defeat in last week's top of the table clash with Penicuik, Broughton headed
into the 'Last Chance Saloon' knowing that only a win would keep any hopes of
winning the league possible.
Facing Lasswade, who still had their own
dreams of the title, it seemed obvious that someone would be crying in their
beer at the end of the 80 minutes.
With bright sunshine and a strong breeze
sweeping across the pitch surrounded by a huge expectant crowd, Broughton
received the ball from the kick-off and headed off playing up the hill.
Early exchanges between both sides saw strong running and some big tackles put
in from both sets of forwards, before a long distance penalty from Paul Hamer
saw Broughton take an early 3 point lead.
Broughton were boosted by the return of
tackle machine Chris O'Neill and helped by Mad Mike, the pair frustrated the
Lasswade forward attack time and time again and were unfortunate to have been
penalised so many times for lying on the tackle by a referee who may have been
affected by vocal crowd participation on the sidelines (allegedly).
However, a strong Broughton spell of attack
was rewarded when a well placed kick from Arrandale allowed the forwards to set
up a strong platform which allowed Paul Hamer to crash through the Lasswade
defence and score ten feet or so to the right of the uprights. However, on
this occasion, a simple kick was somehow sent spinning wide and gave the home
side hope that the day might still be theirs.
Deep into 1st half injury time, a
controversial penalty try award from the match official seemed to give Lasswade
the lifeline they were looking for. A clever chip through into the dead
ball area saw a scramble of bodies attempt to reach the ball first. The
referee not only adjudged that the home stand-off was held back in his attempt
to touch down, but also that the ball was grounded within the playing surface.
The successful conversion from under the posts was the last action of the 1st
half, with the visitors going in a point to the good at Lasswade 7 - 8
Broughton.
It was the visitors who came out of the
blocks more determined and great field positioning was gain from the re-start
when a Lasswade knock-on set up a scrum just outside the home 22. Quick
distribution from the base of the scrum from Arrandale allowed the backs to ship
the ball out to Payne who finished off a spectacular move to boost the tourists
confidence and this was echoed by the additional points slotted over by Hamer to
nudge Broughton ahead 7-15.
Although Broughton were able to put pressure
on the home side in every part of the game, from field territory, scrums,
line-outs, back chatting to the referee and general good looks, the final 15
minutes were played out in the Broughton 22. Lasswade threw everything at
the visiting defence in a desperate attempt to salvage a bonus point.
However lead by thitter not twisted! (erm, Jonny what does this mean - The Ed?)
However it was left to 2 penalty kicks from
Hamer to secure a 21-7 victory for a Broughton side who now realistically need
to win their remaining 4 league matches whilst earning a bonus point in each.
Congrats to Chris O'Neill for his successful
return to the side after a lengthy rest period due to injury. Two
Broughton debutants also had successful starts to their Broughton careers,
winger Chris Mowbray and No8 George Smith.
Oh, must not forget to mention Duncan getting
his man of the match award. However, had he not been so greedy at the back
of the mauls with the ball I'm sure a hard working prop like myself could have
won it.
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