Blues win first game of the season

What’s not to love. Early September sunshine, first game of the season, decent crowd at Monks Lane, fiftieth cap presentation, match day lunch and a wedding upstairs, attack and defence of the highest quality, turnovers won, debut for one player, a feel good factor all round oh and by the way a 30-0 win against local rivals Reading. A bonus point win is some going for a first match of the season but the players were as pleased with their defensive shape and effort as they were with the five tries scored. To nil any team is some going and well done to all the players for a magnificent effort in the warm sunshine. As one of the players who was substituted said when he came off, “it’s cooking out there.” And fair play to James McAvoy, his substitutions, as always, were judicious throughout. Substitutions as all rugby fans know are very important and the three players who came off the bench on Saturday made an impact. Debutant Ed Wrench became stronger as the game went on, Jonny Lees did what he always does and made a lot of telling runs and tackles and Jacob Checksfield announced himself with a glorious run almost as soon as he came on.

Ten minutes into the game it didn’t look as if Blues were going to be comfortable winners. Reading started with a purpose and an endeavour that saw them camped in Blues half for much of the first quarter of the game, with Blues unable to break out of the pressure exerted by the visitors. During this period, Ali McGee made a try saving tackle, Dylan Stewart secured a great turnover after GRS had initiated a counter ruck and Josh Winfield won a line out against the throw. Surviving the early pressure Blues broke out and showed what they were capable of and were unlucky not to score in the right corner after a kick ahead bounced unkindly. Not to be thwarted, Blues soon won a penalty and opted to kick to the corner and with their first attacking lineout of the game, prop George Robinson Slater, with the help of his fellow forwards, went over for the try which made him the leading try scorer for the new season. The successful conversion by Dan Thorne made the score 7-0 to Blues. Almost from the restart, Oli Keyse made a powerful break up the middle and after a couple of passes, Blues seemed to be in for their second try but just knocked on in the process of scoring. Reading had, however, infringed and the resulting penalty was converted by Dan Thorne to put Blues 10-0 ahead as the game went into its second quarter. Blues were now beginning to dominate position and possession and not long after, Michael Klichowicz went over in the corner for Blues second try, after a superb long pass from Dan Thorne enabling Klicki to catch the ball without breaking stride. Fifteen nil and all the momentum with Blues. However as often happens in sport, for whatever reason momentum shifts and after the try Reading began to gain the territory they had enjoyed in opening minutes of the match. They won a penalty and all of a sudden Blues were faced with a defensive lineout five metres from their line. Solid Blues defence enabled them to clear the danger and as the first half was coming to a close, Blues broke out and a fluent backs move saw Michael Klichowicz chipping over the defence for Ali McGee to score Blues third try. With two minutes to go before the interval Reading launched a powerful series of attacks and seemed to be set to score in the corner but were denied by another Ali McGee try saving tackle. Half time, Blues 20-0 up.

The start of the second half saw Blues putting together a number of good phases of rugby and just as this was developing an unfortunate knock on the Reading 22 enabled the visitors to temporarily relieve the pressure with a long kick out of defence. The ball was gathered by Michael Klickowicz who showed how dangerous a runner his is by breaking the defence and from the resulting breakdown Blues won a penalty. A kick to the corner, a successful line out and fifteen minutes into the second half Harry Waye Branch scored a well deserved try to make the score 25-0 to Blues. Try bonus point secured. As President Trevor Coles said at the end when Harry was presented with his bottle of champagne to mark his fiftieth Blues cap, Harry has been playing at the club since he was a mini and is a force to be reckoned with. When he started in the seniors a few years ago, his performances for Stags were always eye catching and he could have been awarded player of the match almost every weekend. There was little doubt he would go on to win many Blues caps. A great servant to the club and here's to many more caps Harry. The match restarted with Reading again under pressure and were forced to kick long. Jamie Futcher retrieved the ball and made good ground and then Jacob Checksfield coming off the bench showed how good a runner he is by making a great run to set up an attacking position. Blues continued to pressurise the Reading defence and not long after Alex Du Sautoy went over to make the score 30-0 to Blues. With ten minutes left Reading began winning a few penalties and putting Blues under pressure with a number of their own attacking lines out. However, Blues held out, helped in no small measure by Josh Winfield winning a crucial line out turnover with Blues on their own five metre line. Soon after, the final whistle blew to signify a well earned result by Blues.

One of the nicest parts of match day is seeing the players at the end of each game acknowledge the supporters and there is no doubt the support given to the team is very important to all involved. As always thanks to everyone who came along on Saturday and continued thanks to sponsors who remain very important to the club. Thanks also to Reading and all the best for the rest of the season. Finally thanks to the referee. There would have been many referees wondering how the new tackle law would translate on the field of play for the first weekend of the season and it appeared a seamless change for both sides. Well done to players and coaches for obviously spending time preparing their players for the law change. And here's to next week, Blues away at Wimborne and Stags a free weekend as a result of Maidenhead III pulling out of their league. Dorset, a great county, well worth a day out.