Francis Smith seals win with fine solo try

Thornton Cleve leys 1^st Xv 11pts Macclesfield 3^rd 14pts

Playing against a strong first team after a couple of hours in the car was always going to be difficult especially due to un-availability of several key players, although I understand that the shops will be getting busier as Christmas approaches, best get it out of the way early ……

Anyway back to the game, the journey started badly for Nick Smith as he pulled his hamstring on the M55, however after 3 gallons of lucazade and a rub down with a £20 note he took to the field looking as dashing as ever.

The game eventually started on a beautiful sunny afternoon by the sea. The pack were immense lead by Nigel Rosser (dropped by the second team due to some really bad performances) ably assisted by the sluggish Poiser & the evergreen / red Andy Leigh (Never been caught with his pants down !!) there was a new shape to the engine room with the extensive girth of Brian Skade accompanied by the hot headed Rodders. This enabled the substantial Francis Smith to have some good ball.

The game started well with Hunt , yes Hunt tackling the half backs and forcing them into giving away a penalty. England stepped up and converted 3-0 to Macc after 2 minutes. The next try was all about quality rugby, Thornton kicked long, expertly collected by Swetman who put in a superb kick forcing a line out 15 meters from Thornton’s line. The through went astray and it was a Macc scrum. Francis picked up from the base, dummied the rushing defence, sidestepped the ref, chipped over the full back, collected and bounced over the line. Barnes Wallace would have been proud. England following in the footsteps of his great mentor Amos and missed the kick. Although last week Tony Amos missed a kick from under the posts, not sure I mentioned that.

Anyway Macc were 8-0 after 6 minutes. At this point Macc thought that the game was over and switched off. We turned round 8-11 down due to some dreadful defence and ill discipline. Oliver was penalised for holding a player down with his teeth, a new one on Me ?? Merriman was subbed at half time otherwise he would have been sent off, a couple of weeks in the company of 15 year old girls has done nothing for his testosterone levels, Erica can you sort him out on a Friday please.

Anyway Macc scored another penalty 11-11, the game then drifted until 2 minutes to go. Some excellent passing by England, missing Oliver (that is saying something – greedy sod) Nick Smith entered the line and fed Swetman. The forwards then arrived and drove the ball back towards the post, now can I ask you to cast your mind back to November 2003, Dawson dummied, sorry Saunders dummied. Oliver was in the pocket, the ball was passed to Wilkinson, sorry Oliver who calmly dropped a goal. This is where the similarity stops as 5 players B*llocked him for wasting a 3 man overlap and called him a fat glory hunter.

The game ended, we won they were not happy.

Coach Rosser said “Why do you keep quoting me I am nothing to do with the third team anymore, Martin is brilliant and only plays second team. Coach Heyward said “ I was away this week, does anyone know the score ?”

MOM – Paul Underhill & Mark Marshall & Dave Phillips.

END