PJF front row put in a mighty shift!

PJF arrived at Thames Ditton with just 15 to play a Paulines side that was determined to get a home win. From the kick off the pack stepped up to the mark and took the game to Paulines. Shoving them off the ball in the set piece and turning them over in the line out. Camped in Paulines 22metres PJF did everything but cross the white wash. Paulines in one rare visit to the PJF half managed to win a penalty in front of the posts and PJF found themselves 3 points down. The game reverted to the previous pattern with PJF piling on the pressure and eventually winning a penalty that Pierce converted to square the game. Loose play and courageous defence from Paulines stopped PJF taking the lead. Eventually PJF managed to create an overlap opportunity for Joey Casartelli to go over. Pierce duly converted. The try galvanised Paulines into action and they strung a few passages of play together and worked there way up into PJF's 22M. A missed tackle and a lapse in concentration saw Paulines go over near the posts. The conversion was some how missed and PJF turned around at half time with a narrow two point lead.

The second half started and PJF had their mid-match lull which saw Paulines spending far more time in PJF's half. It was thanks to the sterling efforts of the front row and the impeccable kicking performance from Pierce Fernando that stopped Paulines talented backs from developing the momentum they needed to cross the PJF line. However they did win one penalty that was kicked to give the home side an 11 - 10 lead. Paulines continued to press and in spite of a sterling defensive effort from Phil Jones a decision which was down to interpretation gave Paulines a penalty virtually in front of the posts. The penalty was gratefully converted by Paulines giving them a 14 -10 lead. Frustration started to get to PJF and from the restart Liam was yellow carded for lifting a Paulines player off his feet in the tackle and dropping him. With the side looking at another close defeat the pack dug deep and although a man down drove Paulines backwards. A penalty awarded to PJF saw Pierce kick the ball dead in the perfect place for the pack to win the ball and from the ensuing play drive over to take a one point lead. Pierce then put the icing on his performance by slotting the conversion. The time ran out on Liam's yellow card and PJF comfortably ran the clock down to win a game that proved more of a problem than it should have done. The huge positives from the game were the performance of the front row, who kept the pressure on the Paulines set piece all game, and Pierce at fly half who produced the perfect performance for a side that had limited options in the backs. Pierce kicked the corners and consolidated the gains from the hard won ball by the forwards. The character shown by the side was also good, never giving up, even after falling behind. If PJF can really build on this performance they should push Reedonians, next week's opponents and league leaders, all the way. We look forward to seeing as many of you at the Pightle on November 4th as possible to cheer the lads on!