Sun 29 Sep 2019
Rushden travelled to local rivals Wellingborough looking forward to their 1st league game.
Unfortunately, on arrival they only had 9 players, not wanting a wasted trip we offered even more players to ensure that the boys got a run out and changed the game time to just 40 minutes.
James A, Jack, Kieran, Ryan, Jake and Matt all swapped allegiance for the morning to help Wellingborough out.
As had been expected Rushden were far too strong for Wellingborough in all facets of play and it wasn’t long before Rushden got the score board ticking.
Jamie, picked up a loose ball and broke free from a couple of tackles but was held up just short of the line. From the ensuing ruck James N was quick to see an opportunity to pick up and dive over for the opening try out wide. Tana was unsuccessful with the conversion. 0 - 5
By now it was one way traffic with Rushden gaining ground easily either through the forwards or out wide with their pacey back line. Callum, was extremely lively and caused Ryan and Matt trouble with is pace and mazy running.
But it was second row James N who was next on the score sheet. A flowing back line move off a scrum allowed Lewis M to cut a nice line from full back and carve open the Wellingborough back line. Matt, playing for Wellingborough, just about caught Lewis M but as ever prop Kyle S was in support to keep the move going. Kyle dragged in the remaining Wellingborough tacklers and off loaded a supper ball to James N to charge onto and gain his second try. Tana knocked over the conversion in front of the posts. 0 – 12
Whilst Rushden were in control a number of sloppy and silly mistakes were stooping them converting opportunities. There were too many players trying to do it all rather than concentrating on the game plan, which was frustrating for the coaches.
Not to be out done by the forwards Lewis M got a try for the backs. Jamie and Freddie turned over a ball in midfield allowing Tana and Aiden to spread the ball wide to Lewis M, who just had way to much pace for the would be Wellingborough tacklers. Tana missed conversion from out wide. 0 – 17
Not many games go by without a Kyle J rampaging run and today the crowd were treated to a 45m run by the big fella. Tana darted down the blindside from the scrum and feed Jinga back on the inside. A few hand offs and according to Jinga some foot work he was soon scoring in the corner with Ryan, Jake and Matt hanging off him. Tana missed the conversion from out wide 0 – 22
Next on the score line was Tana, who was quickest to react to a ball that popped out the back of a Wellingborough scrum. This time he converted the try to give Rushden a 29 point lead as they reached half time.
With Rushden in ascendancy the coaches moved players around to even up the game and ensure every player got at least half a game. These changes evened the sides up and made it a more meaningful game for Rushden.
Even, with most of Rushden’s DPP and DPG players playing for Wellingborough Rushden still had too much pace in midfield. Callum day took a ball from a back line move and just accelerated away from his would be tacklers to score a length of the field try. Conversion missed. 0 – 34.
Not to allow Callum all the highlights Lewis M collected his second try. Matt charged onto a pass and sprinted down the wing before the Ryan hauled him down. But rather than die with the ball he gave a beautiful off load to Lewis M to score. 0 - 39
Wellingborough were now starting to gel a bit with Aiden, Kyle, Max and Mario all playing for Wellingborough asking questions of Rushden’s defence. From one charge by Max Wellingborough got on to the score sheet as Rushden were found willing around the fringes. 5 – 39
The last score of the day went to the hard working Freddie. Kyle J went for a big bosh on Kyle S but got himself in the wrong position and allowed Kyle S to strip him of the ball, much to the amusement of the crowd. Freddie as ever was on Kyle S shoulder to take a pop ball and smash through three tackles to score under the post. Tana knocked over the conversion 5 – 46.
With Wellingborough looking tired the coaches agreed that would be the end of the game.
Whilst it wasn’t the league game the plays wanted, every player go at least a half and ran off some of the rustiness. Particular thanks should go to Ryan who played a full game at Fullback for Wellingborough and never once gave up.
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