Sileby Town RFC

Love was in the air, but it was a specific love. A love for one of Sileby’s longest serving players who was making their 150th first team appearance. And what an appearance it would be. Starting on the Wing, moving to Inside Centre and then finishing the game at Fly Half. We love you Jon.

Anyway.

Another weekend where the Vikings were one of a small few who managed to have a game, this time thanks to Stamford College Old Boy’s new ground at Uffington Road (a definite upgrade, good on them). Some minor drama in the morning as Mattie Lewis pulled his calf during a particularly effervescent game of paddle (if one such kind of game exists). This meant Harry Greenbury would once again step in at Scrum Half, and Dan Collison make a welcome return to the Wing.

Good start to the game. Within five minutes Flanker Callum Swift had scored, a carry which started in the Sileby half and left defenders flailing. It should have been two a few minutes later. A precise touch finder from Hooker Ash Rideout gave Sileby possession in the SCOB 22, with the maul moving forward Greenbury broke to the short side, only for his pass to Griffths in space to go to the floor. Rubbing salt in the wound it would be Greenbury who scored next, picking from the base of the scrum and diving over a few minutes later.

Fortunately for Griffiths he would not have to wait long. He and Centre Nathan Thornton would secure the bonus point before half time. The first was a stronger finish in the corner after more Sileby pressure. The second was a turnover in the Vikings half which Thornton collected and ran clear. In between tries Greenbury would carry from behind the Sileby try line, feed Dan Collison who would stretch his legs into the home team’s half before putting the ball on the toe. A final score came from Swift stealing the line out and breaking clear. 33-0 at half time.

The second half started well. Collison was having a fine game on the wing, first of all claiming a miraculous one handed take and then offloading out the back to keep a move alive. Then he was on hand for a highlight reel finish in the corner diving over a would be tackler.

Then things got a bit silly.

SCOB are never a team that back down. Throughout the game they had shown flashes of good play, especially hard carrying in the midfield through their strong runners. However it always felt like they needed something else to make meaningful inroads and cross the white wash…

At 55 minutes, replacement Prop Kian Wright was sin binned for having a nose bleed. At 60, Second Row Aaron Thurlow was sin binned for an infringement at a break down he was not even in. In those few minutes the home side scored twice. The first converted good territory and possession into a try. The second was penalty try following Aaron’s ‘infringement’. Frustrating for the players, but at least the sideline was enjoying unpicking and unpacking some of the decision making.

The rest of the game belonged to the Vikings. Three more tries were scored, two from Full Back Zak Loveridge and another by Griffiths. A final score of 59-14 was a good result against a side very difficult to beat at home.