PJF Give Oppo Heave Hove
Rusty Nail, 25 January 2010 21:52
HOVE
33 PURLEY JOHN
FISHER 27
Purley John Fisher claimed a moral
victory on Saturday despite losing 33-27 to hosts
Hove in this London 2 SE League match. Recent matches
between these 2 sides have seen the south coast side
win quite comfortably with a hefty points margin to
show for their supremacy. However this match threw up
a warning to sides further up the league that they
should not sit on their laurels because PJF are ready
to make them sit up and think.
Once the rustiness of snowbound
enforced rest had subsided both sides rolled their
sleeves up and entertained the well stocked crowd. A
supreme team performance lead from the front by
Skipper John Cox saw PJF come within a whisper of
stealing the game, in fact had the game been 10
minutes longer the result might have been a win. Hard
graft from the forwards took the game to their
opponents as Sia, Lorraine and Leather worked the hard
yards and put PJF on the front foot. A sprightly
performance from scrum half Davies kept the pressure
on and allowed the dangerous Campbell-Carson and Tuke
centre pairing to pose many questions for the home
side's defence. Knight and Brown constantly sought
possession from the breakdown and enabled many an
attack to start from turnover ball. Such was the
cleanliness of their work they were penalised by
an official who maybe missed the subtlety of their
art.
The scoring ebbed and flowed throughout
as PJF hit back whenever Hove looked to take control.
Full credit to PJF who in the past might have lay down
and rolled over, in fact you got the impression that
this is exactly what the opposition was hoping for;
instead they bit, snarled and growled their way
through this game. The home side's Axis at Number 6, 8
and 10 saved their more rusty colleagues putting in a
performance that was obviously superior to that around
them. PJF stuck to their task and responded
whenever it was necessary. Tries from Tuke, Murphy
(2), Davies (plus 1 conversion) and Knight kept the
side in touch by 6 points. Alas it wasn't quite enough
but the performance, again another characteristic
spirited one, bodes well for the remaining matches of
the season.
PJF's Second XV ( 25-10 v Mid Wives )
and Third XV ( 13-0 Old Cats) both posted
good wins against local teams. Respective
Captains PJ O'Donnell and Tony Mawer both
congratulated their rusty teams for concentrating and
focusing on winning their matches. Special mention to
Steve Bruck who assumed Bob Scarborough's flopping
duties for 5 points, whilst the latter was resting in
the sin bin.
Next Saturday PJF entertain League Leaders
Tonbridge Juddians at the Pightle.
|