Berkshire Shire Hall R.F.C.

Berkshire Plate Final.

Well then, a game worthy of a cup final!

This was a cracking game on every level and Shire should be really proud of their performance on the day. The performances have been building since Christmas and it was fitting that the best performance of the season came yesterday. A 21-man effort not to forget all the supporters and those who have assisted us week in week out.

Conditions were perfect with the sun shining and a slight breeze but no real advantage to be had from the elements. Shire won the toss and elected to choose ends leaving Broadmoor to kick off. Shire showed good control from the off. It was definitely our best performance of all season at the restart so that is encouraging for next season.

With both teams up for it Shirehall made the early inroads with good kicking from Brown at scrumhalf and chasing from Fothergill on the wing pinning Broadmoor back into their own half. The resulting pressure led to an early penalty kick for Shire so within range, Dodson was given the honours (fresh from a days practice on the Saturday). The miss will be let off only due to an ugly attempt to clear the line from the Broadmoor fullback resulting in Joles diving on the ball over the line for the first score. Converted (hurrah) 7 – 0.

Shire continued to compete at the scrums and lineout with big games from Evans, Cooper, Istvan and Carson throwing their collective mass about. The set piece was scrappy most of the game but in the loose, Shire held their own led by the doggedness of Griffiths at open side.

Further pressure saw another penalty awarded which Dodson slotted to make the score 10 – 0 and leave Broadmoor wondering what was happening to them (déjà vu).

However they showed their class and made good yards trough the middle off loading between the back row and despite big defence for Bishop amongst others, they soon had a promising chance to go in at the corner. Last ditch defending from Big Burtha Tregurtha saw a 25 minute delay due to the Broadmoor winger breaking his leg however Shire had already strayed offside and presented a 3 point opportunity under the posts for Broadmoor to end the half 10 – 3 down.

A focussed and confident mood at half time was continued into the second half with only change Porter making some early breaks on the wing as a result of pickups from Davies at the back of the scrum. Continued pressure resulted in a quick tap penalty taken on by Plastic making good ground and with the quick ball out to the backs Osbourn went over under the posts from fullback – good time to open your account for Shirehall. Dodson slotted to make it 17 – 3 with twenty minutes to play.

Credit where due, Broadmoor up’d the pace and score a try in the backs followed by a conversion from the corner. 17 – 10 game on! Bishop decided to take a 10-minute break for foul play therefore cleverly anticipating extra time. In the meantime Shire made their own changes with Pedro broken (surprise) and Malone entering the fray as well as Perkins, Clarke and Ribbons.

With some big changes in terms of weight, Broadmoor then took advantage of a lineout in Shire’s 22 and drove over despite great efforts to stop them from the pack. There followed another touchline conversion to make it 17 – 17 and Shire suddenly loosing he plot!

With less than 5 minutes to play the game ended with extra time looming. Shire did well to re-group and a break from Brown made good yards into the Broadmoor 22 for what led to the decisive point in the game. Osbourn again appeared to be clean through and with yards to go was only prevented from a high tackle from the last defender. Last defender = penalty try? Not so on this occasion so Shire took the easy 3 points and left thinking they should have had 4!

Second half of extra time and Broadmoor cleared their lines well pinning Shire back into their 22 before scoring a good try to go 20 – 22 up. Yet another touchline conversion made it 20 – 24 with Shire having to score a try with less than 5 minutes to go. The team throw everything at Broadmoor and had 3 penalties they had to take quickly (making that penalty try decision or the more significant). Broadmoor held out and despite a valiant effort, Shire were eventually defeated 20 – 24.

If we are honest with ourselves we will look back at a game we should have won having worked to be in a 17 – 3 position with 20 minutes to play. However considering the start to the season we have had, I think all involved would be grateful we are now in a position to play they way we did and if Shire can keep and build on the current squad, they will be very dangerous for future seasons.

MOTM – Officially Brown & Osbourn, unofficially anyone who was wearing a blue and yellow shirt on the day.