It was never going to be a game for the purist, but for blood and guts no holds barred old school fans, there was plenty on display (not surprising given the average age of the teams).
Rucking was fast and furious, with flankers James Humprey and Stephen Brown making a nuisance of themselves around the fringe, while Martin Edwards ploughed in with his size 13s (ask captain Darren Ford about that fact). With the game finely balanced it was the visitors who made the first contribution to the scoreboard with a breakaway try on 7 minutes. Playing downhill in the first half, the forwards took full advantage with their driving maul and forced their way over between the posts for Darren Ford to drop onto the ball. Mike Wood stepped up to take the additional 2 points on offer, and being too impatient to wait for the kicking tee, opted to drop kick the conversion to tie the scores.
The game continued with both teams making inroads, but both falling at the final hurdle. In some instances just a single pass would have led to a try, but with the pitch markings being freshly painted that morning, white line fever was in full effect. The Argaum defensive line has been accused of being slightly stagnant in the last few weeks, but today they were in full flow and nailed everything in their path. But if you keep hammering away, eventually something has to give, and on 39 minutes Sarries claimed their second converted try.
Half time 7 – 14.
The second half started brightly for the Wanderers when James Humprey collected a pass and sprinted in for a try in the first minute. Shockingly Paul Symons stepped forward to take the conversion attempt. Even more shocking was the fact that it went over, 14 – 14.
It only took another 5 minutes for Tamar Saracens to score again, this time it was in the corner following a decent backs move which could’ve easily gone wrong with some forwards getting in their way, luckily for them the ref was unsighted and waved play on. 14 – 19. To be fair, the ref was Martyn Walker officiating in his first senior game and I for one would be extremely happy to see him at Bickleigh Down many more times in the future.
Not to be outdone, the Argaum backs decided to show their flair, with storming running from Kevin Sidebottom and Scott Galloway, they punctured the Sarries line and floated a delicate pass to Owen Belli to allow him to go over on the right hand 15M line. This time Sam Russell was tasked with the kick but failed in his mission with the ball going low, short and wide. 19 -19.
During this session with lost Richard Belli (elbow), Paul Symons (nose), Dave Rawles (ribs), James Humphrey (hamstring), Stephen Brown (being ginger) and Darren Ford (feelings). With so many changes, plus the ½ time substitutions to get everyone a game, we were always going to be a little disjointed and on 34 minutes the away team gave the scoreboard it’s last job of the day, ticking it over to 19 -26.
It was always going to end up like this and all coaches and management from both sides agreed that it was a match worthy of a draw but no one could begrudge them their victory and congratulations go to the Tamar Saracens 2nd string, including Argaum social regular Lee Welch playing in what was possibly his last ever game due to new work commitments.
Man of the match was James Humphrey, who seems to be going on longer than the Duracell© bunny, a completely different story to the one given by Mrs H.