PJF's Woes Continue

Of the two Purley John Fisher started the brighter penning their hosts in this London 2 South East League match deep in their half for the opening 25 minutes. PJF's improved scrum allowed possession on the front foot and through quick hands saw the backs begin to release the potential they have. From an early attack full back Ryan Tracey joined the line and jigged across to open PJF's account.

The home side rallied and fought their way backup the hill but were met by a resilient defence, marshaled by centre Campbell-Carson who soon had his opposite number on his back, with some characteristic crunching tackles. This thwarted any hope the home side had of running back at PJF. From this base PJF began to swagger and take the game under their wing. Veteran No.Eight Scarborouogh was one of the beneficiaries as the stronger scrum allowed him more time and space to control things.

And so it looked encouraging until some form of implosion took a hold and ruined PJF's afternoon, allowing their opponents off the hook and back into the game. Constant infringement around the breakdown followed by backchat to the official had PJF marched back 40, 50, 60 yards at a time yielding hard fought ground and luring their opponents in to a sense of security. From a rare attack the OD's fly half produced a measured cross kick for his winger to collect and cross over.

Fuelled by this and the continued plethora of penalties, the home side's tails raised and they began to believe in themselves. A penalty was followed by a steal at the lineout which saw them charge down the wing and cross over in the corner to produce a converted try. Such was PJF's temperament at this stage that they conceded a penalty during the conversion. And so to half time 5-15.

Any remorse about their first half treatment of the official, fell on stony ground as PJF tried hard to comply only to be thwarted and confused by some of the decisions made. With their heads elsewhere PJF were soon another 5 points adrift as another turned over line out was put to good use as OD's scored another try. Re-grouping was led by a blistering attack from winger Murphy who ran deep and hard into the home side's territory. Hard graft by the forwards in re-cycling the ball quickly allowed fly half Malcolm to float in under the posts and convert to take the score to 12-20. For a 10 minute period PJF looked impressive as they knitted hard forward drives with quick release and fast hands releasing the backs down the paddock. Three things stopped PJF from winning the game in the dying minutes. Discipline, flamboyance when safety was the best option and some rotten luck that defied the laws and conventions of reasonableness. Bounces falling into opponents hands time after time, an aggressive scrum that crunched the home eight only for their scrum half to make a 60 yard break, the inconsistent decisions by the match official allowing OD's advantage and denying PJF the same.

So 3 games and no points, heads are being scratched and jaws rubbed as the whole Club looks to rally round and work hard at turning the season round.