Pyle 26Sports 17

Starting this tough local derby both sides were unbeaten and it was always going to be a close encounter. The Sports played with the strong wind, and the first 15 minutes were even until a handling error in front of the Sports posts allowed Cliff Ricketts to give the home side a 3 points lead. From the kick of the Sports put on pressure and with a good charge down in the centre and a strong run from Roddy Boobyer, followed by quick release of the ball to the left wing, where wing forward Rhys Dowling was at hand to cross in the corner. Nathan Townley’s conversion falling short.

The Sports were then pinned in their own half for a period and had to attack from deep when Michael ‘Mitch’ John broke the home defence and found second row Jamie Lorrimer in close support. Lorrimer had a lot to do when he collected the ball on the half way line, he broke two tackles and with the wing, Chris Adrian, in support, who he did not need, Lorrimer cut through the whole defence to run in the ‘try of the season’, under the posts which Townley converted to make the score 3-12.

Next it was Pyle’s turn to show their attacking skills and when full back Waller came into the line he fed right wing Duncan Woods who broke one tackle to score a fine try in the corner. The kick was cleverly bounced over the crossbar by Ricketts making the scoreline 10-12. On the stroke of halftime a piece of drama occurred when from a wide Cliff Ricketts penalty, the ball was ‘marked’ by Chris Adrian but fumbled and the ever-present Adam Ricketts was on it in a flash to touch down. This time Cliff Rickett’s conversion was true making a halftime score of 17-12 to Pyle.

From the restart the Sports Cub continued to widen their attack time and time again, now playing against the wind and keeping the ball in hand. Townley had good runs as did Scott Narbeth but it was Mitch John who unlocked the defence with a fine break and gave a well timed pass to Chris Adrian who more than made up for his first half blunder, scoring a really good try in the corner as Cliff Ricketts tackled him.

Against the wind the kick failed, so with 15 minutes to go it was 17 all. This really was a fine game of local rugby and it was played with spirit and fairness. The home side seemed to be reading the bizarre refereeing, and his interprtation of releasing the ball in the tackle, much better than the Sports who were giving away penaties at almost every breakdown. And in the final minutes three such penalties were awarded.

Cliff Rickets kicked all three to make the score 26-17 at the final whistle. So although the Sports scored three tries to the two of the home side, it was the territorial advantage and the better use of the strong wind that gave Pyle a deserved victory.

Gary Cox at wing-forward for Pyle was a contender for man of the match as he seemed to be everywhere, but the fantastic try of Jamie Lorrimer really gave him the vote in the end. Anyone who wants to see another fine game should come to the Bandstand field for the return match. Final result 26-17.