Tring 2’s continue winning ways in London

The mighty Tring 2’s bandwagon just keeps on gathering momentum. Six wins on the bounce; 287 points scored at 48 per game, and only 80 points conceded at less than 13 per game. Having looked at these stats, OAS, in their All-Bar-One style changing rooms with heated flooring, evidently didn’t fancy the tussle. I don’t blame them. Coach Bon organised a little excursion to West London to face Hammersmith and Fulham, a name which Captain Rex could barely orate. The coach driver, who was presumably paid by the minute instead of the journey, decided to sprinkle a little drama on proceedings with a delayed arrival for the Tring boys. With this in mind, it was the home side that took the initiative in the early stages, as the archetypal opening arm wrestle resulted in H&F gaining useful field position. Charlie GL actually began the day with a nicely worked scored in the far corner, but two early scores by H&F served to wake up the Tring boys; one from a charged-down kick which fortuitously landed in the H&F’s hands, the other from an imaginary offside given against Hunter and Gayton who were at the bottom of a ruck somewhere.
Mr Positive showed his million-dollar smile, and shouted a call to arms in the 15th minute. With the set piece working nicely, it just needed a steady hand on the tiller. Barnes, in his first start for the 2s this season, began to increase the pressure on H&F. In 17 second half minutes Tring scored 6 tries and conceded none. It was without doubt the best 17 minutes played by the 2s this season, with accuracy, tempo and creativity all on the menu. Two scores for number 8 Briggy, who continues to defy convention, opened the gates for Tring, with Hixy weighing in with a cheeky score. The second of Briggy’s score, curtesy of a sumptuous offload by Captain Rex, set the alacadoos into raptures. During this period the forwards worked tirelessly, especially the front five, providing a platform for the handsome backs to weave magic, causing mayhem. Barnes on the front foot is a wonderful thing to behold, and the lines of running from our backrow enabled us to play at a level that H&F couldn’t live with. When H&F did win any possession during this period, their tactic of kicking to our back three failed to reap any rewards, with Gayton and Charlie GL making useful yards, and working assiduously off their respective wings.
The second half proved to be a complete non-event for both sides. Tring allowed H&F to play by a combination of taking their collective foot of the pedal, inaccuracy in keeping possession and (again) a few illogical decisions. The half’s only real highlights were the outstanding try-line defence by the Tring boys, throwing bodies into tackles and denying H&F on several occasions. This really highlighted the collective team spirit and the desire of all the players. A special mention to the telepathic-like score created by Gayton and converted by Charlie GL, securing his hat-trick in the process.
Observational points:
- Payne-Train’s yellow card for a technical tackle infringement. His first ever tackle.
- Boswell receiving a massive unexpected hit when doing his best Benny Hill impression.
- Wardy making an appearance in the coal-face – proving he’s more adept as an impact sub than he at working a camera
- Dan Bon showering post-game with not one, but two watches on.
- Will Mitchell’s engagement news. Congrats!
- It was great to have a coach laid on and for the regular first team supporters to travel to watch us play, Thanks very much.