ISRFC 23 - 10 Welsh Crawshays

In contrast to the previous weeks game against the Scottish Exiles, the Lambs were slow to start against the Welsh. On a sunny day at a glorious ground, straight from the kick off the Lambs put themselves under pressure by knocking on and conceding a scrum underneath their own posts. The scrummage led to a dubious penalty, which the Crawsays took quickly, only to be met by some committed and focused defense. A cracking turnover almost led to a Lambs break, before a mistake forfeited a kickable penalty which the Crawsays slotted with ease.

ISRFC 0-3 Crawshays.

After this, the Lambs began to play with some freedom, although regualar mistakes (to be expected in a scratch side) allowed the Crawshays to stay inside Lambs territory before a sloppy pass allowed the Crawshays inside centre to gather and dot down under the posts.

ISRFC 0-10 Crawshays.

Ten minutes in and things were looking bleak. I definitely did not remember this being in the script! However, soon the Lambs began to reap the rewards of an increasingly dominant set-piece which was well backed up by our tremendous pair of half-backs. Adamson provided quick service, allowing Holmes and Walsh to make some devastating breaks. With territory reversed, Walsh utilised an overlap to power over in the corner.

ISRFC 7 - 10 Crawshays.

Shortly before half-time, a collapsed scrum underneath the Crawshays posts led to a Lambs penalty which was slotted to leave the game in the balance at half-time.

ISRFC 10-10 Crawshays.

The Lambs made several changes during the interval, but this didn't seem to affect the swing in momentum. A technicality gave the Lambs another penalty under the sticks, resulting in a further three points.

ISRFC 13-10 Crawshays.

From this point onwards, the Crawshays appeared to offer more of a threat, with thier excellent scrum-half constantly weaving between challenges and providing a real threat. However, the Lambs were able to sew up the fixture with a score mid-way through the half to place the Lambs beyond two scores.

ISRFC 18-10 Crawshays.

The Crawshays had one opportunity to score with a long range penalty attempt which faded wide, but other than that the Lambs defence appeared comfortably. Indeed, with the last play of the game it was the Lambs who had the final say with a score in the corner.

Full time ISRFC 23-10 Crawshays.

Overall, a very good victory against a competitive and spirited Welsh side. It was always going to be up to the Lambs to salvage some English pride and this we did with aplomb. It should make for some tricky selection decisions for tour.

All the best for those playing this Sunday.

Yours in rugby,
Poults.