BROAD PLAIN 2s BOUNCE BACK FOR TOUGH WIN

After a heavy defeat to Bristol Saracens 3rds 2 weeks ago Plain 2s knew that a good performance was needed to bring some much needed confidence back into the side.
Things didn't get off to the best of starts with a few players crying off at the last minute and some others being called into the 1st team as injury cover. Bishopston 2s where in the same boat and actually arrived with only 14 men, Broad Plain’s very own Stephen Stewart volunteered to go over to play for Bish so we could get an even game going.
BP was a scratch side, which included front rows Mike Gibbs and Jason Hunt playing out on the wings!!!
The match got off to a scrappy start with a few knock ons from both sides and some ‘infringements’ at the break downs resulting in an early Bish penalty. Also, Plain’s fly half Phil Savage took a blow to the head, which resulted in a brief stop of play whilst the blood was cleaned off his face. With our hands on our hips Bish moved the ball quickly running the ball through the forwards, some strong defence in midfield slowed them down but a quick offload in a tackle sent the Bish Winger flying down the left to score in the corner. A special mention here for BPs returning wing/fullback Jake Luton who came flying out of nowhere to smash the Bish winger with it only being momentum carrying him over the line. Another special mention to the Bish kicker who slotted the conversion from the touchline. 7-0 down and this was all within 5 minutes!!
Some strong words of encouragement from Captain for the day Martin ‘wiffer’ Smith about our defence and we approached the half way line for the KO…..which the 10 shanked and it didn’t go 10 so we were immediately on the defence again, however the Bish 9 knocked the ball on at the back of the scrum so we elected for a scrum……which we lost.
The next 10 or so minutes were hotly contested with both sides giving away silly penalties, some strong play from the BP forwards resulted in us winning a free kick just outside the 5 metre line. A Zen like moment between Zach Slocombe and Wiffer resulted a tap and go with an offload to Wiff who crossed for a try in the corner whilst the Bish defence still had their thumbs up their backsides!! Conversion missed 7-5. Bish scored next, again BP turned off in defense, which allowed the Bish winger who was like a Leopard on speed to run straight through to score under the posts. Try converted 14-5. Some strong running from the returning from injury Hooker Jack Clark resulted in BP winning an attacking scrum just outside the Bish 22. Some quick hands from young Zach Slocombe who had a blinder at 9 resulted in quick, simple hands through 10, 12 (who somehow managed to draw in 2 defenders) with a quick offload to Luke ‘I don’t need to train’ Coles who ran round everyone (including his own team) and scored just by the posts, try converted 14-12. Now I cant really tell you much about Bish’s 3rd try because I was under a pile of people but apparently they scored in the corner and then missed the conversion 19-12.
Another strong attack by the BP Midfield took us to 10 metres short of the Bish try line where you guessed it……..some infringements at the breakdown. Another quick tap and go by the BP fly half and with feet like a ballerina he danced through the defence and scored. Conversion missed 19-17
HT
The 2nd half started well, some strong running from the human wrecking ball Jack Clark and centre James Jenkinson resulted in some good gains in territory for BP. Some quick thinking at the back of a ruck from Carl Syrett resulted in a break down the right, an offload to Jack Clark who with lightening speed passed onto Luke Coles who flew down the right wing only to be brought down about 3 metres out by some excellent cover defending by the Bish fullback, however Luke popped the ball up to the on rushing (and ridiculously tanned) Craig Eddolls who ploughed across the line taking a few Bish defenders with him. Conversion missed 22-19.
After this tempers started to get a bit frayed with both sets of players (particularly the forwards) throwing handbags and verbal diarrhoea, which did result in an unsavory scene on the touchline between both sets of players. A firm talking to by the ref (who was firm but fair) quickly brought the game back under control. The talking was know being done on the pitch with MASSIVE hits being thrown in by both sides all other the pitch, Luke Coles was tackling anything on 2 legs!! This continued until a huge double team hit by Hooker Jack Clark and Centre James Jenkinson on the massive Bish 2nd row resulted in a penalty going against BP for not rolling away in the tackle (which I think was rather harsh!).
Bish were attacking with a new found aggression, hitting every tackle and break down area like run away trains, however a good tackle by the BP centre James Jenkinson on the ‘on-loan’ Stephen ‘Potato’ Stewart and some strong work at the breakdown by the inform Jack Clark resulted in Bish being pinged for holding on. Again BP moved the ball quickly through the hands, Zach Slocombe kicked the ball over the top, chased it, jumped for it…….and caught it!! BP moved through the phases, which ended up with Carl Syrett being able to stretch out a monkey like arm and put the ball on the try line. Conversion missed 27-19. The final few minutes were fought hard with Jake Luton nearly crossing twice after some good work in the centres but the Bish Defence was too strong. Eventually the ref blew up and the game ended 27-19. A good comeback and strong performances throughout.

Lee Norman Man (Or Men in this Case) of the match. Jack Clark and James Jenkinson
Hit of the day – Luke Coles tackling everyone
Plank – There is one but I won’t put it up because he will probably have a hissy fit.

(Report kindly submitted by James Jenkinson)

Team:
1. Luke Fussell
2. Jack Clark
3. Kevin Chappell
4. Mike Morris
5. Martin Smith (captain)
6. Craig Eddolls
7. Carl Syrett
8. Aide Godbear (Sav Lagana)
9. Zach Slocombe
10. Phil Savage
11. Mike Gibbs
12. James Jenkinson
13. Luke Coles
14. Jason Hunt
15. Jake Luton