AECC RFC 31
Southampton University 2nd XV 0
Wednesday 3rd February 2011
For the first time in their history, the AECC RFC played two full games inside a week. Sounds like a tall order, but luckily the AECC are really good at rugby. Clive Hurkett was first to benefit, following some enterprising offloads from the forward division, Dan Pollard then chucking out a perfect looping pass for the aforementioned Clive to stroll under the posts. Pollard then perfectly bisected the uprights with his conversion attempt to give the Chiros an early 7-0 advantage.
The AECC this week had to deal with the enforced absence of inspirational chairman Mike Richards, who is partially dead from neck AIDS. Damian Le Roux, playing his first game at the coveted position of number 8, struggled at first with the scrum base, though a penalty was coming and Dan Pollard perfectly stroked the ball through the posts to make it 10-0.
The Chiros were cruising at this point and looking consistently dangerous when the ball was put through the backs’ hands – and the forwards, led by the outstanding Josh Arden, were looking like men against boys. Some characteristic bullying produced a turnover in the Southampton 22. A tapped penalty later and the forwards had laid the platform for Pollard to dance a perfect path through the Southampton defence and maintain his perfect record with the boot.
It seems that no AECC match is complete without some sort of disciplinary action, and naturally Joe Frost was at the heart of it, but did “nuffink wrong” (honest guv). A small melee ensued after the Southampton 13 wouldn’t let go of him in the tackle, and though no punches were thrown, both spent ten minutes in the sin bin for “nondescript naughties”.
Half time arrived with the chiros having switched off for the previous 15 minutes, so talismanic Mike Richards gave them a verbal dressing down which surely inspired their second half rejuvenation. That, or the considerable wind being at their backs now.
With the wind making it much easier to maintain pressure in the opposition 22, some strong running from captain Matt Bateman and Alex Horne laid the platform for Ryan Stephenson to scamper over in the corner. Pollard – you guessed it – perfect again.
Someone must have taken issue with Pollard’s continuing perfection; perhaps they didn’t like him making the Southampton fullback look like a cretin when he fumbled a tactical kick into touch, but the hapless Southampton 13 tripped Pollard late, only to be shown a straight red card. The boys seemed disappointed with this, as they are big fans of settling their own disagreements – just ask Exeter 21. Anyway, he threw a massive hissy fit leaving the field, throwing his shirt on the floor and everything – what a prick!
On 55 minutes, Alan “Ram” Ryan made his league return, coming on for Clive Hurkett, then was put into space to show off his trademark swerve and almost scoring with his first touch, but not quite. Methinks the old man has lost it! Shortly afterward, Damian Le Roux attempted a drop-goal. That one doesn’t even require comment.
A Southampton lineout in their own 22 provided the AECC with their next scoring opportunity. Alex Horne was cruelly denied arguably the finest poacher’s try when his interception of a quick lineout was ruled out. At the re-set set-piece, though, scrum-half Scott Gimby showed himself to be equally adept at the art of poaching when he took advantage of the overthrow to dart over from close range. Good poacher, but rubbish at showboating. Despite someone managing to touch him earlier, Dan Pollard added another perfect conversion to complete a perfect day with the boot. Final score 31-0, and it is now almost 3 months since the AECC have conceded any points in the league (3rd November vs Winchester).
Man of the match was a two horse race with Josh Arden winning on 9 votes for his constant disruption of the Southampton scrum and excellent work in the loose. Alex Horne was close behind on 4, with votes also for Perfect Polly, Struan, Damo and Kev. Also a big hand to the boys from BU who lent us a helping hand.
AECC: Struan Brown, Josh Arden, Stuart Ripley, Tom Pooley, Alex Horne, Dominik Jaskulski, Daniel Waldin, Damian Le Roux, Scott Gimby, Joe Frost, Kristian Gjermundrød, Ryan Stephenson, Matt Bateman (c), Clive Hurkett, Dan Pollard. Bench: Josh Conlay, Alan Ryan, Kevin Marillier, Joe Green.
AECC RFC: The Mutt’s Nuts
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