The Williamson Trophy took place in Abingdon on Tue 6 Sep 2011. Due to the distinct lack of players the competition was re-jigged at the last moment. With the primary aim to get as many RLC personnel playing rugby on the day a combined 9 Regt/4 LSR side took on 27 Regt in the Cook Plate final. The game was a pretty one sided affair with the combined efforts of 9 Regt and 4 LSR proving too strong for the 27 Regt side.
The main game of the day was the re-vamped full length game of 3 LSR v 29 Regt RLC, both teams confident of doing well. The game started with 29 returning the poor kick off, 29’s centres brushed of the first line of defence to put 29 deep into the 3 LSR 22 before the last line of defence halted the attack. 3 LSR dug deep but with 29 in the ascendance they quickly turned the position and pressure into points, scoring 2 quick tries and converting both 14-0. 3 LSR dug deep and started to play rugby through the forwards, the quick pick and drive was working well and 29 were repeatedly infringing giving penalty after penalty, eventually the ref sent the 29 No8 to the side line for a 10 minute rest. 3 LSR dominated the lineouts and the tight drives were pushing 3 closer to the line, it was desperate defence from 29 that prevented a score for 3 LSR. Wave after wave of attacking forwards tried to cross the 29 try line but as is often the case the ball was spilt forward and swift hands turned defence into attack and 29 scored a full length try to move out to 21-0. Despite the set back 3 LSR continued to dominate through the forwards, the backs brought ball back to the pack and the Regt pushed hard for a score before half time, but to no avail, again foiled by the resolute defensive skills of the strong 29 backs.
3 LSR started the second half as they finished the first, on top and pushing 29 backwards, surely the pressure would pay off eventually. The forwards continued to pick and drive and as 29 were driven back it was the quick thinking of the 3 LSR scrum half to break blind and out sprint the RLC Corps scrum half to touch down for a well deserved score. 21-5.
29 restarted and kicked deep into the 3 LSR 22, the forwards closed ranks and with what looked not too dissimilar to the old England side of the Dean Richards era, shoved the ball up the jump and pushed, grunted and drove 29 back. The impenetrable driving wedge trundled 60 m before 29 committed yet another offence, collapsing the maul, the referee sent another 29 player to the sin bin just as the heavens opened. With 3 LSR in control they continued to play 10 man rugby, not attractive to watch but very effective as it prevented the 29 backs getting the ball and running at the 3 LSR defence, the forwards drove on and when it was on the backs were given the ball to attack. 29’s defence remained strong and on too many occasions the last pass went a stray, it was from a dropped pass that 29 once again ran in their 4th try of the game. 28-5.
3 LSR finished the game on top and following a phase of play that saw the pack drive 29 40 m back from a lineout and then 6 or subsequent pick and drives before finally releasing the 3 LSR fly half who stepped around the tackler to score under the posts, try converted. Final score 28-12. The thoroughly enjoyable hard fought game that epitomised what RLC rugby is all about. All players should be congratulated on having given their all throughout the game.
3 LSR now start what is a full calendar of fixtures with a night time game against Shrivenham under floodlights on Wed 21 Sep 11. Training will continue on Mon/Tue evenings at 1600 and all players are to attend.
Anyone interested in playing or being part of 3 LSR rugby should contact either Capt Crane 3513 or Capt Lowe 3812.
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