Over 25s 19 Under 25s 19
Grimsby RUFC got the New Year off to a fun start with this traditional fixture and, with spectators lining the touchline and an equally full clubhouse after the game, it was clear that this was a tradition to be maintained. Much had been said before the game about the strengths of the O25s team, but could they reproduce their obvious abilities at the bar on the field of play? During the pre-match team-talk O25s'2nd row and Club President Matt Hood was heard to comment: this game will pose many questions for us today - Why did I get up? Is there more to a warm-up than standing by the radiator next to the bar? Will there be oxygen at half-time?
The game got off to a slow start, a pace at which the O25s preferred to play. The tactic of keeping it tight, which had been well rehearsed by the O25s whilst the U25s preened themselves for the team photo, seemed to be serving them well until a spilled ball was cleaned up by the U25s and travelled out to Matt Leitch on the wing for him to open the scoring. The conversion kick from Fly-half Jordan Hill was successful. The game continued in similar vein with the U25s having to contend with wave after wave from their admiring parents' on the touchline! Eventually, Hill received the ball in midfield and with a swerve and a dummy deceived the O25s' defence and went over for a try, which he converted. More of the same resulted in Leitch scoring his second try of the game, but despite his protests the referee ruled Hill's subsequent conversion kick wide leaving the score 19 0 to the U25s at half time.
During the break stern words from senior player Major Nigel Starmers-Kempthorne resulted in the Port being passed to the left, as the O25s' refreshed themselves in suitable style. O25s'back-rower Colonel Tom Montague-Smythe then tried to rally his team by offering to move out to the wing, although it subsequently became apparent that his offer was motivated by a desire to be nearer the refreshments!
Club Chairman John Scaife's cries of I only wanted 10 minutes were cheerfully ignored by O25s' coach Mark Spreadbury who had decided to play a numbers game there were eighteen O25s players on the pitch at one stage in addition to the referee!
This tactic appeared to inspire the olduns and some good work from the forwards led to centre Ben I'm only just over 25 you know Pharoh finding space to go over to open the scoring for his team and the conversion kick from Jonny Makka Wilkinson was successful. The U25s then went through a period when they could just not please the referee, who penalised them frequently and this continued throughout the 2nd half. On the back foot the U25s could just not stop the rampaging Makka who added a try to his tally, converted by Charlie Montague-Hodgson.
Despite some strong words of encouragement to his team from U25s' captain Neil Young Corry no resurgence came and soon O25s' prop Charlie Price-Saleh Faulkner broke through to score another try. The conversion kick went wide and the ref blew for full-time. The result a resounding draw!