Ward & Draper Shine with Mercurial Displays

A good sunny day and a relatively wind free allowed for the players with pace to show their ability. A 1 o’clock kick off suited both sides so that Tring we’re able to return home to watch the England game. It was clear during the warm up that Royston were well drilled and possibly had one or two first team players in the mix, we knew we were in for a tough game.

Tring were dominant at the start with some stout defence in preventing Royston’s big ball carriers (of which there were plenty) from breaking the line too often. In attack Tring looked dangerous particularly out wide with pace to spare. Royston conceded an early penalty which Nick Game couldn’t quite convert. Shortly after Royston infringed again and Nick stepped up and slotted a high lofty kick which the referee duly awarded. In a show of decent sportsmanship Nick Game told the ref that he had missed the penalty and this resulted in a 22.

Tring, however, did not have to wait long for their first score, after some penetrating runs by Trings pack and some quick inter-passing by the backs, Ward was able to go around the defence and in for the first try. I think Nick converted (but I’m not certain). Tring then had to weather a storm of attacks by the opposition, their young number eight was impressive and was able to break tackles and offload to pacey backs who put |Tring under real pressure – but Trings defence was excellent all day and people really put their body on the line.

Nick Game scored his standard try in the first half and possibly converted although again I can’t remember. The score at half time was roughly 19 – 11 to Tring.

The second half started strongly for the home team and they practically scored in under a minute after a strong run through the centres and a clever (lucky) chip and chase by their fullback. This took the score back to approx. 19 all. Tring had to step up to the mark and duly did, Ward ran in another good try with dancing feet and strong running. Royston kicked a penalty and the score was tight at 24 – 21 to Tring.

Tring were playing uphill and against the wind in the second half and Jack draper showed off his excellent ball carrying ability by picking from the base of the scrummage and handing off the opposition flanker and making some seriously good yards. I don’t think there was a Royston backrow (including subs) who didn’t get the number eights paw in their face during part of the match. Twice jack broke down the blind side and made some good yardage just for the final pass to go astray or be knocked on.

Finally Tring got a scrum just inside the 22 but in front of the posts, Jack made the decision to pick the ball up and barged his way through three defenders to score a deserved try under the posts which Nick Game duly converted.
A fine man of the match display from Draper. Making the final score 31 – 21 to Tring.

A few other points to note, Bruce was not the oldest player on the pitch – indeed Royston had a 58 year old player making Bruce look like the young whipper snapper he truly is. However, we have advised Bruce that we would like him to work on his growl particularly when he reaches 58.

Richard Brown (playing only his second game of rugby ever at the age of 40) came on for the last 20 minutes only to be injured after two or three minutes and we all wish him a speedy recovery.

Ward, the younger, was his usual superb self - Ward, the older, put in a monster hit in the second half on their biggest ball carrier, but that’s not why he will remember the game….

“HE’S COMING IN FROM THE SIDE!” – enough said.