Clash of Clans

Tring decided to play the old "let's give the opposition a head start and make it interesting for the crowd again" game. Two weeks in a row we have given the opposition a lead within the first 15 minutes and then decided to fight back. It makes for great viewing and this was a nail biter to the end.

Fullarians as ever played a simple but very effective game plan. As predicted, they sent their big runners around the fringes, they seem to enjoy running at full pace from 20 yards away and sometimes running over people, sometimes getting smashed backwards. They started strongly and scored two early tries, one converted. Unlike the team from the other side of Watford last week, this team were hard, combative and fair rugby players. Speaking to one of their substitutes after he admitted the best team won. And that is exactly what this Tring side did. I've played in some good Tring sides through the years but not many that show the grit and determination that this squad do. They soaked up the continuous pressure from the opposition for 80 minutes and ultimately played the smarter game plan and won the match.

The first try for Tring came from some strong forward play, where as the opposition ran fairly predictable running lines and didn't move the ball in contact, Tring did. After a rolling maul, some rucking and great ball retention the excellent Mike Stranders cut a line to change the point of attack and smashed over the line down the blindside. A very close candidate for man of the match, as were so many others, to be fair it could have been awarded to the whole team. But we wanted to see Luke Sibley down a pint! He was outstanding throughout and is one of those players that you have to watch closely to truly appreciate all the hard work he does, and the places he puts his head that us half backs are very pleased we don't have to! Nick Game again had his kicking boots on, and his game play head, as he converted to set Tring on the comeback trail from 10 yards from the right hand touchline. He added a penalty later in the match which proved to be crucial from a similar position.

According to Jonny Whitehead (one of many supporters cheering Tring on, thanks for the support everyone), something happened around the 59 minute mark but that eludes me at this point. At half time David Cogger aka Tesco Dave entered the arena to huge effect, I've never seem him so physical, trim and up for the battle, what an impact he had.

Tring continued to attack, as did Fullarians in a fair and physical encounter. Tring won a penalty in front of the post with 15 minutes to go and then managed to defend heroically for the rest of the match to see another win and keep the habit going.

There were so many good performances this week and it was another impressive performance, but we need to learn to play for 80 minutes and at some stage of this season someone will be on the end of a thumping. We will keep aiming to improve, however we have a very tough away fixture to Letchworth this coming Saturday who are another physical side. Another big performance will be needed.

Ahhhh Danny Max - bet you thought you had got away with this. I have been playing at Tring for over 30 years and this will go down as my favourite ever start to any rugby match I have ever witnessed. This will be a thing of folk law in years to come at TRUFC.

So, Nick Game Kicks off to start the match, Fullarians fly half catches the ball in his 22 and puts boot to ball, Dan Maxwell standing on his 10 metre line shouts "oh b#ll#@ks" in front of the big crowd, attempts to catch the ball and with a little juggle and a fumble, and an attempted dive to make up for his blunder, the ball hits the floor in front of him, only for 3 opposition players to run through fly hack the ball and score their first try. The whole sequence must have lasted 10 seconds! As his captain, Gareth Haywood (who lead well throughout the match) ran past him towards the posts confirmed "that's dick of the day sorted then". Thanks for the good times Danny Max.

Fair play to Danny Max, he downed his pint later on and actually beat someone in the boat race! His first ever win!