Shelford 5ths 32 : 32 Cantabs 3's ish
 
Draws are usually boring affairs, rarely remembered and not worthy of mention but yesterdays was worth a glowing report. We were due to play a Cantabs 3rds but this season has not seen them grace a rugby pitch so far so when 11 players from across town arrived we felt sorry for them and lent them enough players to make a game of it. We hope they remember this when discussing the game later on.

The opening exchanges were incredible, long phases of play lasting 5-8 minutes at a time with no break or set piece. The speed in which the ball travelled across the pitch was worthy of a much higher level of rugby  and after 20 minutes the 5ths were exhausted and also haemorrhaging points. Jim R who we had lent them ran the show from the scrum half position as they ran in 4 unanswered tries in the first half. We battled on but couldn't get through their lines. All efforts from the forwards were met with tackle after tackle and the backs were left to run and kick into the territory without success. One of the reasons I play and am the captain is that I have the balls (boots and organisational skills) to do it and following a great breaking run by the returning Callum I popped over the try line to keep us in the game.

The second half was a different story , Chris M (the reason you can't buy Deep Heat in Sawston) had to go for a lie down so we borrowed Jim R back and got back into the game. The effort levels were turned up to 11 and we started to score tries. Gus , Tom Q  (2) and Chris Leiwe (2) all scored good back tries set up through dogged hard work from the forwards. Will McG again was outstanding with countless tackles and steals (well done Mr and Mrs McGarry) Julian kept on getting a 'special call' in the lineout to catch and run with and James W played all over the park. Tom M as our new full back was brilliant , not only running from deep but making several try saving tackles - a natural. Jack '1 Kidney' was his usual bullish self but I cannot state how well we all played against a much higher team. I would like to personally thank the Cantabs 'tank' for picking me out for tackling practise and I hope to be on my feet soon.

Jim R's injury wasn't as bad as first thought and we hope to reunite next week for another game followed by a social night in Cambridge - all welcome, except Clem ! I also hope that you all feel like I do, very tired but satisfied with an afternoons effort and can sit at work on Monday and gently glow with satisfaction. I'm now due my next set of Ibubrofen so I will finish off and see you all again soon. By the way , your wife going into labour isn't a good enough excuse to cry off !!