Sat 3 Sep 2022
Strong opening and closing exchanges give hope for the future in a tough encounter.
East Retford 1st XV travelled to Kesteven in their opening league game of the season. With a large number of players unavailable and a keen desire to field two teams, the first team travelled with a bare 15 and only our willing player-coach in reserve.
Retford, buoyed by the positivity of victory last time out against a very good Lincoln team, started the strongest. Working our way up the pitch with a series of powerful runs from the pack causing ill-discipline in the Kesteven ranks. Retford settled into forward play off the lineout, sucking in the Kesteven defences and allowing the ball to be moved quickly through the backs to Jordan Hands, our dazzling left winger. He made it to within a meter of the line, only denied by some fantastic Kesteven defence. Good support and recycling gave Henry Sly an opening to burst through and touch down for the game’s opening score, giving him the ascendancy over his opposite number and doppelganger, a battle the crowd on both sides was eager to watch unfold.
Kesteven responded with some very composed rugby, spreading the ball and stretching our green and gold wall. After some valiant defence especially from full-back Luke Osbourne, Retford ran out of numbers, Kesteven scored and converted bringing the score to 7-5. Not to be put off, Retford continued to pile the pressure on Kesteven from the restart and after a couple of phases earnt a penalty within kicking range, regaining Retford the lead.
The tit-for-tat continued and Kesteven settled into their phases again after regaining possession and scored another well-worked try. This called for a welcome drinks break at the 20-minute mark, the score at 12-8.
Unfortunately, the next 40 minutes didn’t go Retford’s way. The All Blacks of Kesteven had identified a couple of key areas that their organised pack and quick back line managed to take advantage of. This period meant the scoreboard got away from Retford and the lack of reserves was starting to take its toll. The game had started to break up and some exciting free-flowing rugby was on show from both teams. This, however, was not good news for our front 3 of Will Wilkinson, Tom White and Johnny Severn who knew they had to last the full 80 and did so with distinction. The explosive Paul Barrett was carrying an injury and unable to make his usual trademark power plays. With several players out of position, easy fixes were not easy to come by, but valiantly the mighty green and gold battled on, re-grouped and were determined to end positively, which we did…
Ali Waring got himself on the pitch, sporting his new perm, and brought his trademark energy and aggression. The Jinxy Joe Charlesworth playing out of position at 10, started to find some space, and made use of his centre Alfie Kay, also playing out of position, but always eager to take on the carry. This created space for Greg Wood to make a break, distracted by the camera he was tackled by the last man but found Joe in support. After some very neat interchanges, Joe received the ball back again to score for Retford breathing life back into the team.
Retford continued to work for the full 80 minutes with Mark ‘Daddy Long Legs’ Gillam, and the back row of Keelan Ward, Dave Ruzicka and Henry Sly starting to regain the ascendancy again. The back line was now starting to get involved in the rough stuff, much to the delight of Callum Micklethwaith on his return to the club, who as a back row found himself playing on the wing. After some controlled play, Retford found themselves with a ruck in the opposition 22. The ever-present and energetic Keelan Ward spotted a gap to exploit and sprinted over for Retford’s final score of the day.
The Final Score of 62-20 was well deserved by Kesteven, but there are plenty of positives for Retford to take from the game, not least that all the hard pre-season fitness was showing signs of paying off. The grit and determination to finish the game strongly and the togetherness shown in adversity show a fantastic spirit to move forward through this season.
MoM was voted as Henry Sly for his tireless performance.
#upthechoughs
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