It was obvious from the warm up it was going to be all about the physical forwards and the tight game, and it was.
E&L had been unbeaten all season and we talked about this being a hard game, but a very winnable game for the team if we turned up.

They had a big set of mobile forwards and (a particularly imposing looking 13).
But from the kick off it was impressive to watch the team soak up the pressure, and recycle the ball with confidence, giving the backs the platform they needed, to move the ball to space and release the backs. Something they did with class, making great use of space and with some great handling, straightening running causing overlaps and hitting exposed gaps, we started scoring and we were away.

This really was the story of the game, with the forwards in particular putting in an absolute shift. When we could soak up the punishing physicality of E&F, making the tackles, stealing or recycling the ball, this led to some impressive running from the backs and forwards leading to our tries.

In no particular order (and apologise I lost track so may not be 100% accurate):

Ethan G - a hat trick, who having travelled all the way down from Wales especially for the game, gave us impressive go forward and was again a penetrating link at outside centre. He not only distributed well but also hit the gaps, handing off and forcing his way over the line with arm stretching efficiency.
Fin Mc – 1, Fin made some impressive tackles and given some space punished the opposition with his footwork and go forward.
Rowan – 2, With such a strong set of forwards and contest, it was remarkable to suddenly see Rowan burst through the middle of all of that with bodies hanging off him and make a run from halfway to score.
Will M – 2, Will as we know has some serious gas, and when he was given the opportunity by those around him he made great use of those opportunities, with some great pace and running to finish, being singled out by the opposition as their stand out player after the game.
Luca – 1, with his usual finishing efficiency.

As the game went on the pressure, the brutal hits, tackling and hard graft around the contact area, all started to take their toll, and legs were noticeably going in the last quarter and this led to a number of changes of positions, and it was then a case of holding on to our lead, whilst trying to stop E&L’s big runners from bursting through. The last few minutes it all got a bit loose and somewhat stressful!

Having conceded 2 tries in the last few minutes, and seeing the bruised and drained faces, it was music to everyone’s ears to hear the referee call last play.

Hearing this, what do you want from your captain? Get the ball and kick it into the stand!

First time I think I have seen Oscar kick a ball! and that was that.

A punishing win against a very good side, using some hard graft physicality and (most impressive for me), some real rugby intelligence that the boys worked through, soaking up the pressure, then distributing to exploit their weaknesses, problem solving through the half backs and cranking up the score board.

Really well done to all the boys that played today, so many great performances that have come on such a long way since the beginning of the season.

As others have already said, so proud of everyone this year whether they happened to play in today’s two games or not, the performances we are seeing, comes from the pressure all the boys put on each other at training and previous games this season.

They should all be immensely proud with how they have stepped up, the way they are playing and how far they have come this season.
Well done boys!!

Robert Hunt