Berkshire Shire Hall R.F.C.

So then,

We went to Aldermaston with 15 players and thank you to those 15 who played. After the way we finished last season “begging” people to play for Shirehall was not really how we had imagined selection to go however last season we have had to conceded loosing 2 points and there were many unavailable as a one off so we should not worry too much.

Where we need to worry is securing a platform from which to play some rugby off. Two weeks of tough set pieces with scrappy lineout and scrumage ball meant it was very difficult to get out of our own half on Saturday and Aldermaston played to their strengths which involved picking for the corners and securing good ball to roll over our line. They did this to good effect and soon went 7 – 0 up.

Shirehall looked dangerous in the backs with ball in hand, Pedro making a good break and getting it our wide to John Morris and Osbourne who linked well to be stopped inches from the line. However the resulting lineout saw the favoured double dummy scissors in the centre before Brown passed out to Osbourne who score in under the posts. Pedro added the 2 points, 7- 7 game on.

Some solid defence from Sheehy, Davies and Joles kept the midfield closed from Aldermaston attacks and they soon changed their approach on the ball. Aldermaston kicked for the corners and soon made it 12 – 7 scoring another from close quarters in the forwards. The ball Shire did get they tried to use and an unfortunate error in the backs saw Aldermaston collect a spilt ball in their own 22 and run the length of the pitch to score under the posts. Lets try that one next time when we are a few points ahead!

So 19 – 7 at half time and no subs meant a big effort from all and Shire responded scoring soon after the break with Brown running in from a blind side break after Cullen had setup well in the midfield. A difficult conversion was missed 19 – 12 and right back in it.

Brown exited the game with a pulled muscle after the return of Geraint Thomas (worth the entrance fee alone) admitting that he had his kit in the car. The Welsh flier was went to the wing where he immediately got stuck into a wingers job, hitting the rucks and burying himself at the bottom of mauls.

Shire pressed but pressed on scraps and Aldermaston were able to hang on in the end, Shires last chance coming from a good quick tap from Sam Watkins on his return releasing Nick (new boy) who linked well with the backs and almost put Thomas in what would have been a rare and well publicised score to level the game.

All in all, disappointing not to have done better after a spirited effort the week before but we had lots of guys out of position and did well to finish the game with 15. Fair to say we need to work on securing some sort of first and second phase ball up front. No doubt we have pace in the backs and will score tries all season however with only two forwards training on Tuesday, we need to get better organised up front.

MOTM – Vinnie Sheehy