Making life difficult for the opposition

Squad: Akerman, Bellamy, Bradshaw, Crossfield, Deane, Dewhurst, Fairley, Fulgoni, Gibson, Goldstein, Gurney (C), Hazel, Hucker, MacDonald, Nelson, Newton, Race, Spennewyn, Woodroff

The first half started with A&C going uphill!
A lack of discipline meant A&C conceded a scrum from the kick off, however that set the tone for the first half with A&C dominating Marlow at the scrum with Adam Fairley working powerfully in the front row.
That said, Marlow spent an amount of the first half in A&C half, taking advantage of the slope on the pitch.
A&C defended well with Tommy Deane and Jack Gurney in the forefront of a strong defence.
There seemed a lot of work for the team in their own half with Matthew Bellamy playing well from scum half and making a number of powerful runs from the back of the scrum.
The first try of the game was scored by Harry Spennewyn finishing strongly following a great run from deep in defence by Harry Bradshaw. Unfortunately, the conversion was missed.
Marlow continued to attack and A&C had to play from deep in its own half but it was good to see the backs passing the ball down the line giving Isaac MacDonald the opportunity for a strong run out of defence on the left wing.
The half came to an end with A&C working hard on defence with strong tackling from Harry Bradshaw, Jack Gurney, Bradley Hucker and Ethan Nelson and Harry Spennewyn relieving pressure with effective kicks.
The first half score 5-0.

The second half started with A&C switching off.
Suddenly Marlow were putting effective pressure on the scrum and having cleanly won a scrum on their own put in just inside the A&C half they passed the ball down the line to a very speedy winger who scored. That try was converted leaving A&C trailing 5-7.
The second half then became a great contest with each team attacking and defending well with noteworthy runs made by all of the midfield.
The second A&C try came again from the deep, Harry Bradshaw making a very effective break up the middle with the ball eventually coming out to Isaac MacDonald who put on the after burners and ran round the opposition to score close to the posts. Harry Spennewyn converted the try leaving A&C leading 12-7.
The rest of the game passed with no great scoring opportunities to either side but exciting close rugby, the back line performing well in both attack and defence. Throughout the game A&C showed great defensive strength and effective runners from the back were able to make life difficult for the opposition.

Final score 12-7.

All in all a good win for A&C.
There were a number leaders on the pitch and the team played well.
Good to see Tommy Deane back on the pitch though unfortunately he had to come off half way through the first half with a shoulder injury - hopefully nothing serious.

Scribe: Alexis Goldstein