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In what was an early afternoon kickoff, the Thamesian boys were already savagely disappointed. No bacon sarnies on stand by, no post game port, and once again, the cheerleading division were late and most definitely not in scantily clad uniforms! (We all know Greg was dying to get the legs out).
Bolstered by a fantastic turn out on Thursday, selection was made quite tough with many players competing for a starting place. Adrian 'Sky' Walker returned as captain to lift the team against a Quintin side that, having looked strong early in their 3rd season in the league, began I drop off as of late. Cookie also returned to the pack, giving the Backs less stress over whose make up and hair was the most delightful to be in charge of kicking (We'll let Jacko decide!)
Receiving kick off first, Thamesians made their game plan obvious... Run the damn ball hard! Glamma taking a short pop off the prop turn 10 Billy the Kid, and smashed three players off before deciding he needed to lie down and let someone else have their turn... Adrian or Rory perhaps? They were very happy Glamma decided to share. With their play pattern the cornerstone of the play book, the T's began to roll and playing at a pace that was unbelievably quick (How Billy kept up, some divine power only knows!). This inevitably forced Q's into conceding a cheap penalty and the LooseHead, stood up to slot it oh so comfortably. From the restart, Tramp, who had been promoted to the 2nd row alongside Adrian, took the ball up and as he got past the first tackler, had a football challenge after. The cheerleaders (Finally arrived, but no uniforms still!) took exception to this, and it was quite clear it could be a volatile game, had the referee not kept things calm in the middle.
Now, following the immense hard work of the pack, the Backs decided to get on the catwalk and strut their stuff. The ball spread wide and the space was found, placing the wingers in good line breaks, with Budha charging up the rear... That's what she said. However, a breakdown and another penalty in the Q's 22 came. Cpt Walker? Points please!
10 in the clock, 6-0 up. Looking glam! Yes! Glam! And then things went wrong. A drop kick off, a knock on, and Q's were getting quick ball! Even worse, T's were giving away silly penalties and killing themselves. Something had to give and eventually, Cpt Fantastic was sent away for repeated infringement in the red zone and off the next play, the space was found and Q's were in for a 6-7 lead.
Spurred on into action, T's lifted and camped up in the Q's 22. This eventually led to a side to side phase, giving the offload to Yatesy who crossed and crawled his way over the line. I believe that takes him above Johno if my maths is wrong. Still a man down, still in charge! Coming to the end of the second half, camped in the Q's 22, Adrian returned and billy gave him a welcome back gift, try time! Reminiscing his catch phrase against Uxbridge, the "Later Bro" man stepped his humongous glutes over the line. Conversion, and half almost out, Glama punched up again and the support still going strong, another penalty kicked for the half time score of 20-7.
The greatest of starts to the 2nd half, a quick penalty and kick to the corner and the piggies dragged cookie over, but he was obviously exhausted from his exploits to add the conversion, but a timely penalty helped take the T's to 28-7.
As is the way though, with a great lead comes a great backlash. Q's shifted the gears and began to get into the breakdown quicker, turning the T's carriers over and forcing their way into the T's 22. Eventually pressure tolled again and Q's went in over on the left and converted to lift their score to 14. And soon the pressure came again through T's penalty count, repeat offending and tap and running led to 10 minutes on the T's line. This try however was frustrating as the T's got the wheel on and turned it 90, even 180 for the Q's 8 to fall over the line... Confusing to say the least, the conversion went over and the game was on for 10 more minutes but the T's found their fire again, pressing into the Q's half, throwing the ball with flare, still pushing for a safety and bonus point score, but alas only another cook penalty was only taken, to make it 31-21.
One last throw of the dice, side to see again and the gap was their, Botha to Budha to Arlen to Cookie.... COOKIE! The man put the foot down for 5m and tried to bash his way through the tackle... But alas. And with that, the final whistle went.
Tries: Yates, Adrian, Cookie
Convs: Cookie (x2)
Pens: Cookie (x4)
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