What a Mauling!

What a fantastic game of rugby played by two hard fought, well drilled teams who gave everything to grind out a win. With all sorts of game play on show from great hands to attacking rugby to attritional rugby to a Tring rolling maul from outside of the 22. The feeling before the match was good and all the Tring players turned up ready to fight for the black and gold (well, green shirts). Sometimes you just get a feeling you will win, our warm up was spot on and the atmosphere in the changing room before hand was calm but focused, with a trust in the 19 players. On the pitch Tring had the better half of the first half and scored a try under the posts from a lineout, quick ball, a little bit of luck and man of the match Duncan Madinson grubbered through, picked up, swivelled and beat his man to score under the posts. Nick Game duly converted. This was not the last we would see of Duncan, he put his body on the line for 80 minutes with some huge hits which left quite a few of their players winded. He will be a huge miss when he returns home to Australia in a few weeks time.

Letchworth then got a head of steam up and came back at Tring scoring a well worked try which was converted. They showed they enjoyed running at the Tring defence from a distance and they rucked well throughout the game, never giving up or easing off. The teams turned round for half time with the score at 7-7.

Letchworth scored an early penalty in the 2nd half, and Tring continued to defend heroically and avoid further points. Then came the moment of the match when Tring had a penalty inside our own half, Nick Game found an excellent touch, to back up his all round excellent game. The lineout call was made to catch and drive from outside the opposition 22 meter line. Andy Shering-Lucas found his man with a good throw and the rest they say is history. Tring rumbled on and Matt Hutchin scored from the back of this outstanding rolling maul, with a little help from Duncan who ran 30 metres to help with the final push over the line, summing up what a great team effort this had been. This perhaps deserves more lines but ask any of the forwards involved and they will be able to talk you through it for many years to come.

In a fair contest this was not the last of it! Letchworth continued to fight for the game and run everything. Tring were awarded a penalty just to the right of the posts near the 10 meter line and Nick again stepped up to make the score 17-10 with 10 minutes to play.A few minutes later after clearing our lines we ended up near the opposition try line only for Gareth Haywood to advise Paul Lambeth (Sir), referee for the day that he had made the worst decision of his life! I know Gareth was tired but that is not the best way for the vice captain to have a 10 minute rest. There was a momentary scare when the Letchworth centre broke the line and had a clear run to the posts, but Nick Game showed great gas and composure to catch him up, time his tackle and save the game. Tring held out with some more fantastic defense in particular from the ever improving Luke Sibley to win the game. Another league win and 5 more points. Well done Tring boys.