17 - 5

Flather - Defying doctors orders!

Quote of the day:

" ..."

The squad of sixteen consisted of the following players 3 Props, 3 hookers, 3 Scrum Halfs, 3 Fly Halfs, this called for individual adaptability and without a number of key players - and Jules - the Blacks were always going to be up against it. Within 10 minutes, our veteran midfield dynamo Roger Smith was off with medial ligament damage. More shuffling and on came hooker No.3, Phil Abbott, as a makeshift flying winger. Nonetheless, The Blacks came straight out of the starting blocks and pinned the humungous Old Paulines pack into their own 22. Disappointingly, we failed to convert pressure into points and went a try down as Paulines used the wind to their advantage in a breakaway. 0-5 Old Paulines.

Further calamity ten minutes later as Haydn hobbled off and the Blacks were behind, down to 14 men, missing key players, and up against a strong side. Write off these Blacks at your peril. The forwards lifted their game a notch and the backs put in big tackles. 10 minutes before half time, the Blacks were lifted by the inspirational site of a severely crocked Flather roaring on to bring us back to full strength. Despite going in at half time still behind, the mood was very positive and we came out determined to keep the season's winning streak in tact. Immediately the Blacks set camp in the home side's 22 and constant pressure was reward by Roley Aird's powerful run to score early in the half. 7-5 The Blacks.

Paulines came back but the Blacks pack refused to concede any yards against their lardier opponents and it is fair to say the opposition did not look like scoring. Mid way through the half the Blacks put more pressure on and a wayward kick was returned with intent by Lachy before a fine pass to the marauding Crawford gave the Blacks a vital score. 14-5 The Blacks. With noses, in front, the Baa Baas were not in the mood to let it slip and it was difficult to record a missed tackle all afternoon. In the last minute, a frustrated Paulines forward floored Roley, whose dive was more likely to do damage than the blow itself. Over went the resulting penalty for a fine Baa Baas victory by 17 points to 5.

It was the sort of spirrited performance that sets this great club apart - every player knew they had to raise their game and each did that and more. It will take a fine side to defeat The Blacks this season. Bank of England - We Await You.

Alex Ross

Team List:

Abrahams, Bowden, Crawford, Simpson, Jones, Morison, Davidson, Culley, Flather, Abbott, Homan, Leslie, Smith, Aird, Ross, Monroe, Blacker.