Unlucky Blues !!

Grove RFC 19 – 18 Newbury RFC
Unlucky Blues
Blues run Grove close with an impressive second half.
After a week, off, the Blues travelled to Grove looking to continue their good start to the season and with Grove’s recent form, they knew it was going to be tough. This fixture rarely produces a high scoring game and today was no different.
With Oxfordshire kindly providing 2 Assistant Referees for the match, the Blues knew they would be scrutinised in every way.
On a great day for rugby, it was Grove that started the stronger and taking the early exchanges to Newbury, this resulted in some robust referee decisions and a string of penalties being awarded to Grove. After a series of kicks to the corner, Grove went over for their 1st try of the game, conversion missed. 5-0,

Chris Guyatt off – Dylan Stewart on (12mins)

From the kick off, Blues were again penalised for a very minor infringement which allowed Grove to clear their lines. Blues were playing with some vigour now, but after a series of rucks, the referee sent a blues player off the pitch for alleged foul play. This gave Grove the boost they needed and after several phases scored their 2nd try under the posts, exploiting the overlap and also adding the conversion. 12 - 0

The Blues were now under pressure and had to react, from the kick off they attacked with passion, pressuring the Grove defence, it was Grove that then infringed and the Blues got a rare penalty in their favour, which Dan Thorne slotted over 12 -3

From the kick off, Blues caught the ball and again started stringing together some phases, the ball was moved between forwards and backs which created an overlap in which Blues were destined to score, but the Grove 13 spotted an opportunity and intercepted the pass to score under the posts, with the conversion added, this made the score 19 – 3

Many teams would have then thrown the towel in but Blues continued to battle for that elusive score. This pressure resulted in Blues getting their 3rd penalty of the half and another kickable shot at the posts, which Dan Thorne duly dispatched making the half time score 19 – 6.

The half time team talk asked for passion and pride amongst other things and with deficit only 13 points, the game was there to be won.
Blues started the half with attacking rugby, the pace and phase play that was missing from the 1st half was their to be seen and Grove were immediately under pressure, the referee allowed Grove to relief some of this pressure with more penalties, but this was a different team, more focused and hunting for that 1st try. After a series of phases and great interplay, it was Dan Thorne who went over for the 1st Try, which he converted making the score 19 – 13.
Graham Stewart off – Ben Hicks on
Grove were now trying to relieve this pressure they were under, but the Blues defence were not allowing anyone through. The Assistant referees were calling the infringements from the side, but it seemed the lines of communication were broken and Grove received some cheap free kicks at scrum time for early engagement.
Josh Love off – Nick Wackwitz on
The Blues were now bigger, stronger and even more determined to score, again off of phase play the ball was spun wide and Toby Thorne went over in the corner, gaining the biggest cheer of the day despite some harsh treatment from Grove in the act of scoring that the officials failed to act upon. Dan Thorne pushed the conversion wide making it a one point ball game with 16 mins to go. 19 – 18
Grove were now making unforced errors, their set piece was under pressure and despite some not straight throws in the lineout not being penalised, it was now in the Blues hands to finish this game off.
It was Grove that infringed next at a scrum, with the call coming from the assistant referee. Dan Thorne lined up the kick and it looked like it was going over, but the wind caught the ball and it drifted wide.
From the long 22 dropout, Blues caught the ball and went on a series of drives again, this resulted in another penalty to Blues and the tee was ordered onto the pitch. Thorne again struck the ball well, but it didn’t have the legs to get over the bar.
Another 22 dropout gave the Blues the ball and another attack commenced, the ball was passed and carried through several phases and eventually another penalty was awarded against the Blues, Grove trying to clear their lines missed the touch and Blues attacked, but just couldn’t get over the line.
With 7 mins to go Blues had a scrum in the Grove 22 and this was their opportunity to break the deadlock, the scrum was set and the ball put in which was strangely penalised for feeding, another decision to take on the chin. The resulting free kick gave Blues the lineout and from this the ball was spun through the backs with Toby Thorne creating the 2 v 1 opportunity and passing the ball to Mike Walker on the wing. The Grove defender made the decision to go for the ball and this was the right decision as it was spilt by Walker and the opportunity disappeared.
At the scrum, last play was announced by the referee, with a Grove put in. But there was one more play to be had, Robbie Drysdale stole the Grove put in and it was game on again, Blues had one shot at the win and had to force a rare penalty or get over the whitewash.
It was desperate defending by Grove and Blues were pushing hard for that score; ultimately it was not to be as there was an alleged knock on in a ruck which resulted in the final whistle and Grove taking the spoils.
The Blues can be proud of their performance with 14 men and the way they turned the game around and had opportunities to win the game, proves how far this squad has developed this season and the losing bonus point could be a vital addition.
Congratulations to Grove, who are a stronger, well coached team this season and with numerous new players, they will be strong at home and will feature in the top half of the league.
This week, The Blues entertain league leaders Maidenhead at Monks Lane, in what will be the game of the season, with Maidenhead looking to keep their unbeaten run going and the Blues could possibly move up to top or second place with a win. Who doesn’t want to be involved in this, see you on Saturday.