The first half was a close matched affair with alternate tries from either side. The first Shire try came from Plastic who managed to snaffle a loose ball on Grove’s 22 and sprint (!?!) though to score the try.

After a Grove try bringing them back level, the decision to put Jerry out on the wing was vindicated in some style. I still had my head up someone’s arse, but I hear it was a thing of beauty. With dummy and side-step Jerry cut his way though their lines to place the ball over the line.

The final Shire try of the first half came from the Durban Express. Whilst not quite as poetic as Godfrey’s it was a solid back’s move, Pete slicing his way though Grove’s back-line find the gap and run the ball home.

At half time it was Grove II’s 17, Shire Hall 17.

Unfortunately, Pedro’s pre-half time try was to be Shire’s last of the game. The half started with some stoic defence by Shire on their 5 meter, twice holding the ball up and starting again with a defensive scrum. After 10 minutes camped within the Shire 22, Grove was pushed back out to give the lads from Shire some breathing space.

From this point onwards, tiredness, injured players continuing due to a lack of replacements, and poor tackling lead to Grove taking the half 15 – 0.

Man of the match: Peter Joles.

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

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.

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

Maidenhead’s skipper was disappointed when our own skipper Brown declined their kind request to be able to play all eight substitutes for themselves but advised they were welcome to lend us a player so they could at least get on the park. Maidenhead skippers response…”as they were wanting to make up the points between Wallingford and ourselves we probably won’t do that”…thus providing Shire’s skipper with all the motivational material needed for a pre-match team talk.

The game started evenly and there were no signs Shire had to fear a “point gap” recovery from Maidenhead. Scrummaging was solid, well controlled by the experienced Jerry Godfrey at the back. Line out ball from Istvan was excellent and Shire had a platform at least to work off.

Tregurtha filled in at fly half and between Joles and himself made some good yardage up the middle of the pitch. Brown made some darts around the fringes and kicked for good position and it was not long before Maidenhead knew they were in a game.

Disappointing then that Shire were penalised at the scrum and a quick tap penalty caught most of Shire napping with Maidenhead scoring from outside the away side 22. 7 – 0. Committed to “having a go” left Shire a little exposed at times in defence and Maidenheads second try saw their winger run half way across the pitch with some blistering pace to score back under the posts, 14 – 0.

Half time credit went to the forwards and the backs recognised what ever chances they got they had to take if Shire were to push for a W. Good work in the loose from Evans, Pearce, Cooper and Griffiths provided good ball again and with Doc bellowing at people to get up the forwards continued to match Maids. Carson made his return to the league on the blind side and proved useful around the park with the added aggression! Shire then let in a soft try with some confused defence not knowing where the try line was (Skipper’s fault). 21 – 0.

However Shire continued to make inroads with Malone and Fothergill showing some good running and new boy Adam at fullback showing some pace.

The game ended with a try to Maids with the last play making the score 28 – 0. Not a fair reflection of the game as sad y some of their players and Shire definitely left with their heads high and with the respect of the Maids players.

A brutal game, 6 splits including 5 from Maids mostly inflicted by their own players.

Well played boys.

MOTM – selected entire 8 forwards (Istvan for drinking purposes!)

Shire starter well turning the ball over several times in the early stages and whilst Didcot were up for a tough game, Shire forwards seemed to have the edge. With the wind behind them, Shire kick for field position and found themselves outside the Didcot 22 in a good attacking position. Making the most of the lineout ball, Brown released the backs to see Pedro Joles crash through four tackles on the scissors with Dodson and score the opener. It was a fine run from the South African, marking his third try for the season. Fortunately for Dodson, this weeks misses can be blamed in part to the wind. End result was a miss to make it 0 – 5.

A frustrating passage of play followed with Didcot making every effort to hassle at the fringes and disrupt Shire’s ball. To their credit they did so well, and frustration set into Shire’s play. Good carries B.Cooper and Evans meant Shire kept forward momentum and sure enough a good passage of play saw Evans crash over from 10 metres (unstoppable on Saturday’s performance from any less). The kick was missed. 0 – 10.

Shire then went into a bit of a melt down allowing Didcot back in the game and a flurry of penalties saw the home side in Shire’s 22 helped in part by Fothergill and Dodson who managed to create a fantastic attacking position from 2 metres from Shires line. Didcot’s 4 man lineout worked well all afternoon and despite some good defence, Didcot managed to crash over from short range. There followed the usual bollocking and general agreement that 5 – 10 with a second half against the wind was not really good enough.

Despite the disappointment, Shire looked up for it second half with immediate signs the forwards had been listening to the instruction of hitting the rucks hard evident when Bishop feld Griffiths in close contact. In fairness to Bishop non of those who had spoken at half time stipulated hitting the opposition and not your own players so point noted for next time.

With a more solid scrum, Davies made some good pick and drives releasing the backs. However with Pedro having acquired a new pair of “extra grip” fingerless gloves, Didcot were in little danger and a series of howling drops followed (sorry Pedro but please dispose of those gloves mate).

Good running from the youthful Tregurtha and Osbourn at fullback saw Shire continue to create problems for Didcot and with a good move ending in a penalty close to the home team’s line, Brown selflessly crashed over for Shire’s third. In truth it was white line fever at its worst, just a good job he made it!

Continued drives from Cooper and Evans saw Shire well on top up front second half and with Didcot unable to get out of their own half, the mistakes crept in. When the Didcot flyhalf dropped the ball over the goal line and Dodson dropped on to the easiest of tries, the game was over and Shire had secured a good victory in difficult conditions.

Excellent second half performance and good to be back to winning ways.

Man of the match – Neil Evans

1: Alasdair McCormick
2: Dave Pearce
3: Brian Cooper
4: Neil Evans
5: Istvan Katona
6: Adam Bishop
7: Roger Griffiths
8: Jeff Davies
9: Tom Brown (c)
10: Andy Dodson
11: Sam Forthergil
12: Pete Joles
13: Ed Tregurtha
14: Mike Osbourn
15: Mark Porter

Reserves
Jerry Godfrey
Stuart Clarke
Chris Walker
Mark Pye
John Morris
Greg Darby
Vincent Sheehy

(x) = Confirmed.
(d) = Direct.

Due to an international in the afternoon, kick off was at an earlier time of 2pm and when promotion chasing Harwell arrived at the ground late, Shire Hall sniffed an upset. Mid week modifications meant that only 5 players played in their regular starting positions, nevertheless the kick off went to plan, Shire kicking deep and 3 players smashing the Harwell receiver. (Shire were to get plenty of practise on restarts, and whilst the Texas Ranger excelled, its not really how we want to spend Saturday afternoons). The teams lack of cohesion quickly began to show, as Harwell went over for the first try of the game.

Despite this early set back Shire did rally well and spent several long spells camped in the Harwell 22. The best chance went to the backs Burtha taking the ball down the blindside, nearly setting Foggy up in the corner. This in stark contrast with the forwards best effort, a training ground penalty move, that as Neil’s ribs will testify needs more work on the training ground. Wind assisted, Harwell were able to clear the ball well down into the Shire 22. With the line out not firing Shire were under yet more pressure, Harwell went over for another try. In the scrum, despite a last minute change of hooker things were going much better, unfortunately on the one occasion that the Brian missed his hook, and Neil assisted with his hand, Shire got penalised and Harwell took full advantage scoring another. Harwell got another 2 before half time and with all 5 converted, led the game 35-0.

In the second half, Shire found their five minutes of inspiration. With the wind at his back Pedro Joles kicked Shire into striking position. Great lifting from Randy and Kerry meant that from the resulting lineout, Shire could get quick ball. Burtha gave the ‘perfect’ pass (his own words) to Mary Porter running full stride. Mary dashed 30 yards beating 5 Harwell players on the way to give the score some respectability, all this with two broken ribs. A spot of animal magic ensured that 5 points became 7!

A lack of fitness/match practice now clearly evident, Harwell began to dominate deep in the Shire half. The Dr soldiering on admirably (shout out to the Doc’s fan club, I know you’re reading) and Bishop receiving running repairs to his boots. The defence was less resolute than in previous weeks and but for Pedro Joles the damage could have been much greater. The Harwell backs now enjoying themselves were brought back down to earth when a cheeky chip was firmly rebuffed by Dingle who went through with his tackle regardless. For the less experienced players it is worth noting that Dingle’s explanation ‘he wanted me to hit him late’ didn’t sway the ref, Shire were sent back 10 metres and a further try resulted.

Shire did attack once more and a for a moment a good grubber from Osbourne looked to have caused Harwell problems but it was not to be and Harwell took their opportunities scoring several more before the final whistle.

Man of the Match: Pedro Joles.

Special thanks to Old Father Time who completed his 350th first team game and to the touchline who were as vocal as the afternoon was depressing.

We’re on the lash in Brighton next weekend and Skip will back so things are certain to improve !?!

A perfect day for rugby saw a ten minute “sizing up” of each other with Tadley getting the nudge on Shire in the rolling maul. Good kicking from Dodson and Brown saw Tadley pinned back in their own 22 and when the Tadley fullback ran one out ten metres from their own line, Shire were in a great position. The return of Ribbons in the line out was a bonus and so Neil Evans called a 4 ball “impact”. Ribbons secured the ball and Shire marched over with Jerry Godfrey masterly controlling the maul at the back to get the touch down. Dodson converted from wide, 0 – 7 to Shire.

Good field position saw Tadley under pressure in their own 22 and a stray pass was picked up by Tregurtha who showed good pace to touch down near the corner rather than the preferred option of under the posts. Lack of orientation around the touch line suggests more practice at scoring is needed! The missed conversion made it 0 – 12.

Tadley tried hard to play their way out of trouble but fierce defence from Shire, in particular Joles in the centres, resulted in a firmly shut path to the Shire line. Shire continued to press and good movement in the backs saw Dodson off load metres from the lines and Peter Joles go in near the posts for his second in two games. It was good support from all of the Shire team as we had discussed in training. Two more points from Dodson made it 0 – 19.

Nineteen points up and Shire switched off letting Tadley back into the game and conceding penalty after penalty. With five minutes to go, Tadley crossed out wide to make it 5 – 19 and giving the home side a lift before half time.

Second half and Tadley crossed again within minutes to make it 10 – 19…game on!

Credit due, Shire did not panic and with the upper hand at scrum time throughout the game, it made running out wide easier for the backs. Joles cross for a second time only to be over ruled by an unsighted referee thirty metres behind play…?! The following attacking scrum saw a great effort from the front five and a push over try for scrum half Brown who touched down just before Old Father Time Godfrey could collected his second (sorry Jerry). Dodson missed the conversion to make it 10 – 24.

Further good running from Dodson, Porter and Sheehy saw Shire press on and at one stage even Dr Clarke found himself in open play five metres from the line. A missed penalty would have made it a 17 point gap and a chance to change personnel however at 14 points, Tadley were always in the game and had good pace in the back three.

Five minutes from the end, Plastic nicked another scrum from Tadley on the half way line and with quick ball at the base, Brown made a break on the right before passing to Joles who drew the last defender to put Tregurtha in for his second of the afternoon and third in two weeks. The missed conversion made it 10 – 29.

John Morris and debutant Andy Mallon entered the game and with 5 minutes left, Tadley continued to press and crossed the line in the final play. The failed conversion made it 15 – 29.

Overall it was probably our best performance all season against a decent side. Things to work on have to be our attitude before the game (remember what you do and don’t do impacts on others), our organisation at the restart in receiving the ball and out concentration when in control of the game. We played a good side but at 0 – 19 after twenty minutes we need to close those games out completely as we have experienced first hand this season!

Man of the match – Plastic for his countless strikes against the head in the scrum and general annoyance of the opposition pack.

After 5 minutes it was clear that during the 80 minutes against Wallingford with little possession, we had forgotten what the ball looked like, felt like and what to do with it in hand. A ten minute period of excitement followed with Shire winning more than their share of ball. The first score came from an excellent cross field kick from Peter Joles standing at fly half which was collected on the full by Sam Fothergill who cruised in from 30 metres.

Sustained pressure from Shire’s pack saw good running from the backs which led to first tries for centres Peter Joles and then Edd Tregurtha, both showing good pace and in one case, a nice shiny pair of white boots (the game has truly changed since Gerrants days). Tim O’Sullivan added one of the conversions to make the score 17 – 0 after 30 minutes. A further scrum near to the Grove try line saw stand-in fly half Tom Brown dummy scissors with Peter Joles in the centre and go in under the posts for the easiest of conversions. O’Sullivan missed the conversion to make it 22 – 0 at half time.

The half time saw and return to Shire colours for Sean Perkins for a half. Shire relax a little and let Grove back into the game although Grove never really looked like scoring. With twenty minutes to go, Shire regained their form with strong running from O’Sullivan and the wingers. Some good play from the forwards saw Brian Cooper on the wing in clear open space with twenty metres to go. Cooper sauntered to the line only to be stopped 2 metres short by an 8 stone winger and a sudden stiff breeze. Faced with the choice of dragging the winger over the line on his boot lace or off loading, Cooper’s unselfish actions saw winger Chris Walker go over for his second try for the club.

The following kick off was taken by Griffiths who started the best move of the game. Many sets of hands and two rapier breaks from Joles saw the centre off load to Brown five metres from the line to go in under the posts for his second. O’Sullivan missed the easiest of conversions to make the score 32 – 0.

A good chance for Shire to work on their game and the perfect answer to the previous week.

Man of the match – Pedro Joles