Shelford 5th XV 5 Letchworth 24
 
After a long and enforced break from our beloved game we returned to running about a muddy field chasing a ball. Shopping is not what it's cracked up to be. The drought of players continued and only the brave and strong travelled to Letchworth. We had several lads with lack of match practice (thanks Chris) and injuries but we jogged out and assembled ourselves into a team.

The Letchworth side were a mixture of experience and youth as we were, so the game began with the usual exchange of runs , tackles and an alarming amount of knock ons from Letchworth - possibly due to the cold or more likely to the pressure we were putting on them. We then exchanged brief periods of play but their 'larger' players were making it difficult for us to make head way.
The general game then panned out in the middle third of the pitch with Shelford showing good resistance and potential break outs with all the team living up to the high standards that we have come to expect.
Unfortunately, we were having uncontested scrums so this meant the usual pressure and intensity of the forward game was not being achieved. However in open play we did show good passages of play that bodes well for the new year.
Mention should go to Jose for his solo run when scoring our try; Tom, George and Rob for their tenacity around the pitch and Chris for being there and giving it all.
Hopefully next week brings another challenge and more players available to make selection easier.
Thanks lads for the effort and for putting the memory of the christmas break behind us. Look forward to seeing more at training on Tuesday night because practise makes perfect.
 
Written with new 2010 vigour by Richard (almost back to fighting weight ) Craddock