Nottingham Moderns 1st XV 37 - 17 Grimsby
Grimsby travelled to the Moderns ground in Nottingham for this return fixture in the Midlands 3 East (North) division clash in high hope that the recent successful run of four league wins would continue. There had been some talk of promotion and some questions asked as to what division two would really be like, but this trip soon put paid to any more discussions as Grimsby capitulated quite spectacularly to a very strong Moderns side. With a number of changes through injury and work commitments Grimsby travelled with a side very much drawing on its reserves. Pomfret showed his loyalty and commitment by dusting off his boots to stand in at tight head at very short notice. Moderns started the game strongly and it wasn't long before an infringement at the ruck allowed the home side to kick the first 3 points of the game. From the resultant kick off Grimsby, obviously still half asleep, let the home side's back line in without too much trouble to score under the posts. Not the start that Grimsby had expected 10 nil down and less than 10 minutes played. This wasn't in the game plan. Grimsby settled down a little from the restart and played some steady rugby in patches with Pharoah. Stringer and Lowery linking well in the back line. Unfortunately, Grimsby never really looked like the side of recent weeks. Moderns were unlucky on a number of occasions throughout the first half with forward passes and feet in touch denying them many points - they were definitely playing most of the rugby. Moderns pressure eventually paid off and they scored their second try out wide from a series of well worked moves. The kick was unsuccessful. Draper went off injured following a crunching Moderns tackle, allowing Montague to come on and Davis to move into the centre. Grimsby ended the first half 15-0 down. Heads were starting to drop at the interval and Edwards and Kempthorne did their best to rally the troops. Something must have worked because Grimsby saw their best passage of play in the first ten minutes of the second half. Breaks from Edwards, Norman & Barker allowed Grimsby to move into the home side's 22 for one of very few visits, a quick deft pass from West saw Daly go over in the corner for a well worked try. West was unsuccessful with the conversion but at least some pride had been restored. The jubilation was very short lived however as Moderns attacked from the restart and moved the ball wide with quick hands to outpace the Grimsby backline to score under the posts. The conversion took it to 22-5. Stringer went off injured following an unfortunate bang on the leg allowing the slender frame of Martin to come on and attempt to wreak havoc on the left wing. The scrummage, an area that Moderns had outplayed Grimsby on their last encounter, was stronger this week, but did not seem to afford Grimsby very much advantage. The Moderns back row were very effective all afternoon and closed down much of the space between Pharoah and Daly. Pharoah soldiered on well at scrum half and suffered another blow to his head leading to a spell of dizziness. Thankfully this time no ice was needed and he continued. The fourth Moderns try came from another good passage of play as both forwards and backs combined well to work their way down the field to score in the corner. The kick was unsuccessful. From the restart Grimsby, now reeling and wondering what they had to do to effect a change were caught out by the best try of the game. Quick hands and plentiful good support play from the back row saw the Moderns winger score in the corner. 32-5 was on its way to a real hammering. Edwards made one last substitution taking Kempthorne off and allowing Robson to come on at hooker and moving himself out to wing forward. A quick rethink on how to regain some pride and Grimsby set off again. From a line out deep in the home side's 22 the ball was shipped out wide and then back towards the forwards and Robson's quick and timely pass saw Martin in under the posts for a try. West was good with the conversion. Grimsby sensed that there was something to be salvaged, if only some dignity. At the next opportunity Grimsby secured good lineout ball from Montague and nearly a repeat performance by the Pharoah and Daly combination saw Martin go over for his second try in the corner. West failed with the kick. By now Moderns, secure in the knowledge that the game was won strung one last attack together and once again beat the back line out wide to take the final score to 37-17. Grimsby were well and truly beaten by a strong Moderns side. At this level of competitive rugby this defeat just shows how important it is now and going forward for the depth of players in reserve. Grimsby's next league match is at home on 19th February against Matlock, currently second in the league.
The Pavilion, Springfield Road, Scartho, Grimsby, NE Lincs, DN33 3JF