PJF miss out on a really happy new year at Midwives

PJF came out of the blocks fast and were on the scoreboard within five minutes from a try scored off a driving maul. The first 10 minutes of the game Midwives found it hard to keep up with the pace set by PJF. After 15 minutes PJF, looking reasonably comfortable, conceded a penalty on the 22m which Midwives converted to get back into the game. After this PJF started to concede a whole series of penalties. This took the momentum away from the lads and they began to struggle to string phases of play together without giving up more ground to penalties. Midwives started to exert pressure that eventually paid off when the Midwives prop crashed over from a driving maul that came from a lineout on the 5m line after a kick to touch from a penalty. A further two penalties were added by Midwives before their prop broke through on the flank and went over for the try half way through the second half. The fly half adding the extra points. In the closing stages the penalties awarded against PJF began to abate and allowed PJF to exert some pressure on the Midwives line. At one point the Midwives defence was breached only for the referee to deny the try through being unsighted.
Like so many weeks, there were plenty of good things in the game but the number of penalties conceded cost PJF momentum, ground, morale and ultimately the game. If the side can adjust to the referees' interpretation of the laws they will become a real force in the league. As it was there was plenty of effort with Iain Greenwood, Phil Jones, Joe Dwyer, Joe Casartelli and George Perry all worthy of a special mention.