London 1 Richmond 1^st XV v Shelford 1^st XV 16^th February 2008  

Result : 28 points to 11 points 

With Richmond being the unbeaten leaders of London League 1 and Shelford on an impressive run of ten consecutive wins, the sizeable crowd at the Athletic Ground were anticipating a tough contest.

The consideration on the touchline was that the team that could consistently settle into their style of play within the first quarter would prevail at the end. As has been the case all season, Shelford faced the task of taking on opponents who were taller and heavier per man than they were. Despite this obvious disadvantage, the home supporters pre-match concerns and nervousness were heightened as Shelford took the lead after five minutes of play with an unconverted try by Alex Birkby. The score was no more than Shelford deserved as they drove their vaunted opponents back towards their try line with a series of dynamic driving mauls that have become a hallmark of their play this season.    

This created the opportunity for the Shelford Captain and scrum half to force his way over with a typical show and go effort from two metres out. With Richmond desperate to register some points in order to prevent any free flowing momentum being built up by their opponents, they took the first opportunity to convert a penalty in the tenth minute when Shelford were adjudged off-side after Richmond had sought safety in their heavy weight pack and a slow creeping forward maul . With their weight advantage this tactic was becoming evident as a means of reducing Shelford’s opportunity to play their more expansive game of moving the ball prior to contact thereby operating behind the first level of defence. Using their height advantage in the line outs, Richmond further reduced Shelford’s source of quick ball and the match progressed with both teams attempting to impose their style on the game. With the three quarters matching each other in endeavour and defence there required a level of risk to be taken to break the impasse. As the match entered the end of the first quarter, the Richmond fly half took this risk and delivered a line breaking flat pass that allowed his inside centre to surge over between the posts for a converted try.

Despite this set back, Shelford continued to match the Richmond forward drives with a well organised and resolute defensive effort and half time was signalled with the score line at 10 points to 5 points. If the Richmond supporters thought that the second half would see their side continue to impose their forward muscle from the re-start, they received an early shock as Shelford immediately ran the ball and broke through the first line of their opponents  defence. The result caused Richmond to infringe and Tom Dann duly converted the resulting penalty. Shelford now needed a period of safe possession and field position in order to test the resolve of their hosts. The drop kick re-start was however not successfully secured. Even so, Shelford regained possession and looked to be about to find safety in touch when the clearance kick was charged down by the open side Richmond flanker who followed up to register an unconverted try. This signalled a resurgence by Richmond who now settled into their preferred method of using the slow forward creeping maul to suck in and drain the energy of their opponents.

To their credit, Shelford never backed off from their defensive responsibilities, but the weight a height advantage began to tell as Richmond searched for the score that would be conclusive. A penalty conversion in the fifty fourth minute increased their lead but Richmond had to work hard and wait until there were only fourteen minutes remaining to register a further unconverted try. Shelford continued to resist with remarkable tenacity and came close to scoring themselves when Scott Jackowski’s hack through was only just intercepted by a Richmond player in his own dead ball area. Finally, on the stroke of full time Richmond made the game safe when a tired but unbowed Shelford team was unable to prevent a close range unconverted try. A relieved Richmond team and their joyous supporters gave the Shelford players the respect they deserved after the final whistle and with other results in the League going their way Shelford can take a great deal of encouragement from this performance.

This League season is far from over and there is still all to play for. As Sam Tovo, the Shelford Coach said recently, every match from now on is a Cup Final. His own personal commitment in this match was a testament to this and he was reminded once again that he has fellow players who are just as committed. They will be reminded of the need to maintain their discipline and focus as they turn their attention to the encounter away to Sutton & Epsom on the 1^st March 2008.