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Hands Record First Victory of 2005!
At the third time of asking, the Wandering Hands finally began to fulfil their potential by recording a victory - the first of the new campaign. The Hands arrived at Coombe Dingle very keen indeed to record their first "W". Although the first two games had been enjoyable enough, it was time to start producing results. In the words of Old Hand Tim Thorne “Another loss would be the start of something requiring a better start.” Initial signs were worrying - Goldney turned up with a side that appeared to posses both size and age - as Harry observed to Pool “No offence, but some of those guys look even older that you.” And there was another blow to the Hands’ prospects, when we were once again allotted Stokes Croft, the Smallest Pitch in the World…Ever. However, spirits were high before the game, and everyone was keen to get on with it. Despite going up the considerable slope in the first half, the Hands had the best of the opening exchanges. Some nice passages of running were put together, and it was immediately noticeable that the rucking was far superior to the level that had been set the week before. Throughout the first half the Hands threatened, but the points would not come. The Hands’ centres looked dangerous, and there were several thrusting runs from the back three (although for each successful attack there was a knock-on thanks to the greasy conditions). However Goldney stopped the Hands scoring by sensibly taking best advantage of the conditions and pinning the Hands back in their own 22 by kicking to the downhill corner (until Harry twigged and covered it, thereby limiting Goldney’s options). The forwards had a good first half, and Goldney did not look like scoring until they found themselves near the Hands’ 22, with nothing on due to sturdy Hands pressure - their only option was to drop a goal. The Hands were 0-3 down, and the half ended at that score, despite some more useful Hands attacks which always went wrong when it came to the last pass, or were snuffed out in the corner by Goldney’s covering defence. However, the Hands' heads were up at half time. Going down the slope the Hands looked a different side. Aki at 10 kicked well to pin Goldney in their own 22, and the pressure the Hands put on Goldney's kicking through the inside backs and the back row paid dividends. It was not long before Aki kicked the first points of the season by slotting a drop goal from the 22. Although the ball got to the backs less frequently, the momentum was now with the Hands, even with the score still at 3-3. Soon captain McDougall scored the first try of the season, barrelling over from close range, and Aki converted to put the Hands 10-3 up. The Hands rejoiced - although the job was not over. Only a few minutes later the Hands’ job looked tougher when star man Aki went down with a hurt leg. Down to 14 men and with Ed moving from number 8 to step in at fly half, the back line became a little ragged, and seemed suddenly more susceptible to the Goldney three-quarter surges. But the game was sealed after a pin-point box kick from Aaron at scrum half put Goldney back on their own line. The ball was turned over at the resulting line out, and the Hands recorded another short-range try as Greg barged over from 5 yards out. At 17-3 up the Hands looked in control - but there was still time for Goldney to make use of their extra man and score in the corner despite some despairing cover tackles from the Hands back line. Man of the match was Aaron, whose contribution was immense in terms of his kicking, his communication (including his effective marshalling the pack), his clean service to Aki and his ever-reliable tackling. Also of note was [ ]’s big hit which knocked the wind out of their Goldney’s niggly inside centre, a man keen to fight against racial prejudice wherever it may raise its ugly head. This man is a great ambassador for enlightenment, justice, and intra-mural rugby - it was great to see him get a proper boshing.
Team:
15. Fred Million
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