CAINSCROSS 2ND'S VS CHELTENHAM NORTH 3RD
Saturday 17TH December 2005
With Cheltenham turning up 2 players short, Cainscross entered into the spirit of second team rugby by lending them 2 players.
Playing up the slope in the first half cainscross carried on from the disastrous previous week by playing without question the worst rugby of the season.
No passion or commitment let North cruise to a first half lead of 26 - 0 before the only bright spot of the first 40 minutes being Colin Vallenders chip and chase resulting in the lead being cut to 26-5.
With nothing to play for but pride, captain Nick Tagg brought on all 4 subs which seemed to give the hosts the initial impetuous for the start of the second half and Cain cross upped the passion significantly with McKee, Bussetti and Everitt causing North real problems in the tight.
New recruit Rich Willoughby made a big impact with some crunching tackles and general aggressive work throughout the second half.
A series of 5 penalties in as many minutes on the visitors line should of brought at least one yellow card and a penalty try but Cainy had to settle for a well worked try by man of the match Tim Weaver who broke through 3 tacklers to cross the line near the posts, Nick Tagg adding the extras.
Caincross laid siege after that with North rarely getting out of their own half and this pressure finally told when Nick Tagg took a quick tap penalty and barged his way over, bringing the game back to 26 -17.
Cainscross then lost concentration and allowed a soft try that effectively sealed the game for the Cheltenham outfit but true to their efforts in the second half Cainscross were still the better team at the final whistle despite the 31-17 score line.
They can reflect on an excellent second half performance but will rue a truly dreadful first half. Thanks to Ian Dolphin and Rich Stonebridge for playing for the opposition.
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