On a wet and blustery day at Motspur Park, home of Old Blues PJF and Blues faced up to each other. It was to be a scrappy game as this was the first game either side had played in over four weeks. After weathering the first 10 minutes in which PJF hardly saw the ball, PJF started to work their way into the game and opened the scoring after about 15 minutes from a penalty in the Blues 22m in front of their posts. From the restart PJF conceded a penalty in the same position at the opposite end, 3-3. PJF returned to the attack driving home their advantage and eventually going over close to the posts, the extras were added, 3-10. Further pressure from PJF followed that was rewarded with another penalty close to the posts. This was duly kicked, 3-13. Blues started to develop some pressure of their own close to the end of the half. After a misunderstanding between the PJF scrum half and the referee the PJF scrum half kicked the ball into touch 5m from the PJF line thinking it would be the last act of the half. But the referee said there were still a couple of minutes to run. Blues one the resulting lineout and drove their maul towards the PJF line, but they were driven back. The ball was then passed out and a maul set up close t the posts. From the maul, Blues managed to force themselves over. Having added the extra points the half drew to a close with the scores standing at 10-13.
The second haf started and the game remained scrappy with both sides off their best. After some harem scarum rgby that went from end to end PJF earnt another penalty which was successfully kicked. The lead had been stretched to 10-16. The game continued to meander to and fro with PJF edging the exchanges when a particular passage of play saw PJF break out of thier 22m and kick into the Blues 22m the ball was fielded and Blues shugged of the pressure from the follow up and returned the ball down field. The ball was turned over and from the ensuing passage of play Blues went over in the right hand corner. The difficult conversion, made even more difficult by the wind and rain was well taken and Blues were in the lead for the first time in the game 17-16.
With 3 minutes on the clock plus injury time PJF were staring defeat in the face. Blues tried to manage their way to the end of the game but were turned over on the edge of their 22m. PJF went through the phases, but time was running out. Blues avoided getting involved in rucks after the tackle and PJF were not making sufficient headway to get to the Blues line. Just when PJF had blown it a Blues player tackled a PJF player between the 22m and 10m line having come in from an off side position. Blues protested that it was in open play, but the player had been off side to start with and had not got back onside before making the tackle. Penalty to PJF. A tricky kick into the wind and slightly off centre to the posts. Joe Rendell stepped up and prepared to kick the penalty when the final moment of drama occurred. Phil Jones thought the referee had indicated that time was running out for the kick taped the ball and ran with it only ot be called back to be informed that there was still time to take the kick. Joe Rendell teed the kick up and cooly slotted the ball between the posts and PJF had sneeked it at the end 17-19.
Both sides were ring rusty, on the balance of play PJF probably just deserved the win. But most importantly PJF had ground a win out and had worked their way through last minute adversity. Next week PJF entertain Chipstead at the Pightle. The game will be preceded by lunch. If you would like to attend, please book you place now.