Brackley were our visitors on sunday, an unknown quantity and fellow semi finalists in the East Mids plate this year. So the excitement was palpable (Probably heightened by the premise of KFC if they win this match).
The pitch was in remarkably good state due to the lack of activity this week and the boys went off like a rocket from kick off, wave after wave of attacks saw a disallowed try from Finn and Will combination due to a forward pass, and constant yardage gains from the forwards due to their dominant scrum, powerful rucking and charging runs from Callum, Dan, Eli and Max. On that note we saw something we loved, all of the forwards going through on the opposition ball and terrorising the scrum half and 10. They were rattled, Brackley knew they had a fight on their hands.
The entire first half Brackley were pinned back, unable to clear their lines and also being blitzed by some solid 15 player St Ives defence. Then the breakthrough came Finn broke the line and scored just left of the post, injuring himself in the process (least it wasn't doing the housework, making his bed or another random way!!) Owen duly converted the try. 7:0
The pressure was constant,Brackley were turned over, blitzed, dominated in the scrums and given no room to run, this was the boys playing brilliantly but just lacking that final pass or last ditch tackled. The boys tried some of the new play calls with really good effect... the buffalo ball was brilliantly executed several times.
Half time
The teamtalk at half time was the easiest one we have ever given. Keep doing what they were doing, this was executed perfectly in the second half. The wind was behind us (metaphorically and physically) Jack picked up several kicks and jinked his way making ground, Jonah was making some play calls (which is great to see, we have been working on this) and the forwards were again dominant. This last point led to our second try, a pick up on a turned over ball saw Tulip run like he is brilliant at, strong, illusive and quick scoring a great try. Sadly Owen just missed the conversion. 12:0
The boys were 100% committed in attack and defence, then the moment that has shook the Mercer household to the core.... Jack was wide left, marked by a somewhat outsized winger, Owen noticed Jack calling for it... then Dolly nailed the best boomerang ball on a sixpence, Jack collected the ball beat his oppo and went in for the try............. however the linesman (or should I say worst father of the year) was flagging that Jack was offside, in my defence he was 5m offside. NO TRY
The pressure was telling on the Brackley team, constant forward turnovers saw Ed receive the ball out left, he broke several tackles and ran in another try, this wa easily converted by Dolly. 19-0
The Brackley team never looked like scoring we dominated in all aspect of the game, this was until the last 5 mins, the otherwise stoic St Ives defence was broken and Brackley scored with the conversion missed. 19-5
The final whistle was blown by the referee (who had a very good game, and even told of some supporters for their constant berating).
A dominant performance and win by the lads!!
Honorable mentions
Daniel Allen: Voted by the oppo for MoM, he was a beast! He ran at the defenders like a rhino, folded the attackers like and origami expert and generally played like a boss!
Owen: Great place kicking, amazing BOOMERANG and even some great tackling
The PACK: They were dominant, they hunted the oppo's like wild beasts and scrummaged like animals!
Finn: Some great link up play and attacking runs
Jack: For having the worst Dad ever, jinking runs and good defence
Jonah: Calling the shots at 10, executing the buffallo and chaos ball at the right time
THE WHOLE TEAM: The lads have come on so so much this year, they have taken on board our pointers and are growing as friends as well as team mates!
Here's to next week.. KETTERING in the semis! Lets smash them!
Up the IVES!