Berkshire Shire Hall R.F.C.

Shirehall had a full compliment of players for this semi final with selection throwing up some tricky decisions. So with a strong side and a good spirit off the back of the Maidenhead game, Shire approached this game with some confidenece.

Hungerford looked well drilled and up for it as you would expect from a side leading any league. Shirehall lost the toss so kicked to Hungerford with good pressure mounted from the off. Early scrums suggested that despite the size of the Hungerford pack, Shire would not be moved! Shire’s first opportunity came in the way of a penalty shot at goal hit wide by Dodson.

The first clean break came from a turnover ball in the scrum with scrum half Brown breaking down the blind side out of Shire’s half and attempting to draw the fullback to put Osbourn in on the wing. Tackled in the process of passing meant the ball was adjudged to have gone forward.

Some good pickups from No 8 Davies saw the backs changing the point of attack and Hungerford resorting to playing on and over the off side line in attempt to defend their lines. A resulting penalty saw Brown take a quick tap and jink through the first line of defence only to be held up meters from the line. No bother as the 19.45 from Durban was on hand to blitz both Brown and 3 defenders over the line for the first try (well done Pedro). The conversion was missed to make it 5 – 0. Next play saw Shire secure a penalty which Dodson slotted to make it 8 – 0 and Hungerford heads dropping.

Hungerford hit back with a penalty of there own as a result of Bishop and Griffiths forgetting they were forwards for a moment and devising interesting and illegal ways to avoid the opposition. 8 – 3. With Shire on top, never before scenes of Copper kicking good position started and pressure on the Hungerford 22 continued. A good run from the centres saw turnover ball for Hungerford charged down and Griffiths profit with a touch down, 13 – 3.

Hungerford had a man yellow carded for consistent offside. The last play of the half saw Davies pick and go blind with quick hands a nimble feet from Osbourn but Bishop over for an 18 – 3 lead.

There were no changes to personnel at first and Shire continued to press to extend the lead. Further good work in the line from Pearce and Istvan provided good ball and Tregurtha and Osbourn made some good yards out wide before Dodson cleverly switched play and score himself, converting to make it 25 – 3. Shire then made some changes with Morris, Walker and Pye entering the action. The changes proved to be good and after good hunting from the forwards led by Evans close to the Hungerford line, the ball went out wide and Walker scored the try of the night in the corner making it 30 – 3.

All in all it was one of Shire’s best team performances all season and we now look forwards to entertaining Broadmore at home in the final.

Final score 30 – 3
MOTM – T.Brown & R.Griffiths