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1st XV Match Report: Medicals Make Play-Off.
Tries: J. Codrington, Tudor
Conversions: Neville
Pens: Neville (2)
Drop Goals:
After a long season the Medicals arrived at Harpenden knowing that with Hammersmith & Fulham still mathematically able to take 2nd spot in the table, they faced one last test before securing a place in the play-offs. On a cold grey day in Hertfordshire, skipper Austin Dekker was forced into a number of changes in the pack. Ed Pickles came into the front row, whereas, Greg Thomas and Dimitri Amiras formed an new combination in the second row. The back row saw the return of Francois Tudor and Annakan Navaratnem with Dekker switching to No.8. The backline remained unchanged but for the introduction of Paul Thiruchelvam at full-back
Playing with the breeze in the first half the Medicals started slowly with play concentrated mainly between the Medicals twenty-two and ten metre line. However, the home side were unable to break down the Medicals defensive line until the 15th minute. As Harpenden set the ball up near the left touchline and spread the ball right where fragility in the Medicals' midfield allowed the home side to crash over under the posts. The easy conversion was added.
Fired up after a tounge lashing under the posts the Medicals set about redressing the balance of play by taking the game to their opponents. Their efforts were almost immediately rewarded as Harpenden were penalised for entering the ruck from the side and Dan Neville was able to kick a penalty from 25 metres out. Remaining on the front foot the Medicals looked to keep play deep in the Harpenden half. Dan Neville and Joe Codrington kept turning the home side with an accurate kicking display which allowed the Medicals to challenge at the lineout.
From a lineout on the right hand side of the pitch the visitors were able to rumble towards the line. Once the maul ran out of steam, Martin Borthwick fed Joe Codrington who popped on to Graham Sidorowicz, who attacked the line at pace. Held up just short Sidorowicz had the presence of mind to pop the ball back up to Codrington who slid in under the posts. Neville added the extras with little fuss. The joy of the try was tempered by an injury to Annakan Navartnam who was replaced by Doug Evans.
Despite much endeavour form both sides the score was to remain unchanged as half time approached. However, the visitors may have been lucky not to have gone into the interval behind as they were saved by a last ditch tap-tackle by Paul Thiruchelvam as the Harpenden wing raced towards the line. At half-time the Medicals knew they were fortunate to be leading but that they had neutralized much of Harpenden's threat.
After the break the Medicals started brightly and were able to extend their lead with another Dan Neville penalty, but were soon once again forced onto the back foot. On the rare occassion they did get their hands on the ball the Medicals were caught holding on to the ball. Indeed, Austin Dekker saw yellow for the first time in his career when, rather harshly given that the offence took place in midfield, he was carded for holding on at the tackle.
In the ten minutes that Dekker was off the field the Medicals battled manfully, with Harpenden, despite their man advantage, only able to score a penalty. No sooner had the Medicals been restored to a full complement of players, fresher Ed Pickles was forced off to be replaced by fellow first-year Johnny Fisher-Black, Moments later Harpenden's dangerous wing and lineout jumper was yellow carded for a trip on Dan Neville.
The Medicals made the most of their man advantage by camping themselves in the Harpenden half. After two chances to cross the line were spurned through uncharacteristic poor handling and obtrusive running lines the Medcials finally crossed. Fisher-Black burrowed his way towards the line but was held up just short. From the resulting ruck Francois Tudor was able to spin and touch down over the line. Neville was unable to add the difficult conversion 10 metres in from the left touchline.
With only five minutes left and the Medicals eight points up the game was all but won and the Medicals had one eye on next week's game. However, to their credit the home side looked to finish their season with a try, which duly arrived after a flowing move put the Harpenden winger clear in the right corner. The conversion was missed giving the Medicals a 18-15 win which cemented their place in the play-offs.
The Medicals now make the trip up to Diss RFC next Saturday for the biggest game in the decade or so that Imperail Medicals has been in existence. The victors of the London 3NW - London 3NE play-off being rewarded with promotion to London 2 North for the 2008-09 season.
Jez
Many thanks to Sophie for all her sterling work as physio throughout the season.
Ed Pickles
Ruairidh Crawford
Jeremy Bartosiak-Jentys
Dimitri Amiras
Greg Thomas
Annakan Navaratnam
Francois Tudor
Austin Dekker (C)
Martin Borthwick
Joe Codrington
Sam Codrington
Dan Neville
Graham Sidorowicz
Suna Bull
Paul Thiruchelvam
Replacements:
Johnny Fisher-Black (for No.1 after 60mins)
Doug Evans (for No.6 after 30mins)
Tom Maynard (unused)
© Imperial Medicals Rugby Football Club 2008
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