2 and Half out of Three

Leaving the club with 13 for long away games seems to be the norm for the 3's these days ! Then kidnapping a player on the way, seems to work for us. Anyway on to Derbyshire, past Manchester and turn right ! It was with some trepidation that we arrived shortly before kick off after having lost on our last two visits by over 30 points.

With 6 props in the team, one of them playing full back (Andy Bell), two in the back row (Alan Hardy & Jack Fitzmaurice) and the usual pair of idiots in the front row (Ross Hughes & Danny Furlong with Tommy Robinson hooking) ! and two back rowers playing in the centres (Sean Bromsgrove and Mike Stewart), Nige Merritt and Liam Keane made up the second row with Fester deciding to play back row, We were not going to set the world alight ! The Game started badly, short warm up and a asking the opposing team for a player is not a great start. Winning the toss and choosing to play up the hill first half was hopefully a good omen ! But no, before we knew it we were 14 points down and letting their prop bulldoze way over for a couple of scores.

After we got our act together we pushed forward, winning rucks and the odd maul which finished with a bulldozing try from the promising youngster Jack Fitzmaurice. Ripper playing on the wing as one of the three normal backs seemed to have an off day after his photo shoot in the morning, earning himself the new nick name of Gonzo. He did tackle himself to a standstill like the rest of the team but we shipped another try before half time.

We found ourselves 21-5 down at half time, less than normal against Hope Valley and now we were going down hill. Straight from the kick off from yours truly the hope valley forwards knocked on, Man of the match Fitzmaurice seized on it and forced his way down the wing setting up a try from the resulting scrum and ruck, Alan Hardy swan dived over for a try. Young Tom Sweeny converted, score 21 - 12 (album title in there !), game on ! Shortly afterwards after a numerous pick and drives the ball was passed out and quick hands saw Mike Stewart scoring to the right of the posts. Tom missed but the gap had narrowed ! 21-17. Hope Valley like ourselves before the break could not find a way out of their own half and the constant pressure from the Wirral forwards resulted in a 4th try (pity no bonus points) with Fitzmaurice scoring again, Tom converted and suddenly we were in front by three and only 7 left to play. In a concerted effort, Hope Valley brought on their super sub who managed to push the play into Wirral's half, and from the subsequent ruck Ross Hughes the over eager prop strayed off side and Hope Valley duly converted the penalty. 24-24 with only 4 to play. Wirral kicked off again and from the resulting pressure managed to get a scrum. It was all set up, forwards to secure the ball and young Tom was primed to pass the ball out to the old fart at 10 to knock the ball over for the winning points ! well that's what I was hoping for, but it was not meant to be, some how the ball ended up on the defending side who gratefully kicked to touch.

Neither side had any further chances and the result was a creditable 24 all draw, no mean feat at Hope Valley. Nice Blokes, nice place to play, nice beer but a long way to travel, looking forward to the return game and reciprocating the hospitality we were given on the day.