Berry Hill 15 Saint Marys 18

Berry Hill 15- 18 SMOB

No easy games in the Forest of Dean and so it proved again with Mary’s edging a resurgent Berry Hill team who are fighting for Glosprem survival.

The game was played on the second college pitch which was perfectly playable despite there being a severe frost on the main pitch at Lakers Road. The fog rather than the state of the pitch was the key question as to whether the game would be played as at kick off the ground was still shrouded in mist and you could barely see one set of posts from the other end.

Hill kicked off down the slope and from the off played their aggressive 1-out game with their lumpy forwards coming around the corner. Dan Downman took the early brunt of this being skittled over in his first tackle but bouncing back to his feet nailing the same chunky prop on his next attempt at breaking the gain line.

Early scrum pressure was exerted by Hill but Pritchard and Chamberlain battled well and it was SMOB who won the first scrum penalty to ease pressure. With the benefit of the slope the Hillmen continued with their round the corner running game but the SMOB defence was holding out with the back row of Payne, Mitch Bourton and Selman putting in big shifts and hits around the breakdown.

Mary’s gradually came into the game and as half time approached won a series of lines out on the Hill line. Despite throwing and catching well, SMOB were unable to drive the Hillmen over and when Holway moved the ball out width opportunity was lost due to a lack of depth in the wide channels.

Still Mary’s came back with more pressure and this time Reeder manufactured the most ungainly of cross kicks in the general direction of Robbie Woodward who needed no second invitation to charge towards the try-line and finish clinically in the corner, bouncing off 2 would be tacklers in the process.

Payner was injured in the build up to Woodward’s try and was forced off at half time with his back in spasm. Rhys James came on into the row and skipper Wilkinson moved to 8. With a half time lead of 5-0 and the slope to their advantage, SMOB should have played for territory at every opportunity, however the small dimensions of the pitch encouraged the players to run when they should have kicked and an early infringement saw Hill kick a simple penalty to bring the scores to 5-3.

At last SMOB started to kick for territory with good kicks from Callum, Harry and Tom Moore gaining good field position. The SMOB defence was working well and as the Hillmen started to tire, SMOB mounted a sustained period of pressure on the hosts’ tryline, which saw Mitch Bourton wriggle over for the second try.

Downman came off to be replaced by Jordan Sheppard who moved to the wing and Mason Ball who had some excellent runs and hits, came in at 13 and Edd Loughran replaced Selman at blindsinde, who had emptied his tank.

SMOB had their tails up now and came back for further points – the first up tackling of Berry Hill was holding strong and it took another cross field kick towards Woodward who again needed no second invitation to finish superbly with a try in the corner.

Harry Owens missed the conversion - it was not going to be Harry’s day from the kicking tee.

This third try seemed to re-invigorate Hill who egged on by a hugely partisan touchline crowd scored two quick tries through driving mauls from line outs that had resulted from SMOB penalties. The last penalty seeing Pritchard harshly sent to the bin for a dangerous high tackle, leaving SMOB down to 14 for the last 10 minutes and a prop light. Hill converted the try and the scores were now 15 all.

Showing the resilience that comes from fitness and a winning habit, SMOB successfully closed out the game, to the disappointment of the home crowd. Good field position and high intensity rugby resulted in Hill giving away a penalty just to the left of the posts, and it was left to ice man Callum Holway to step up and knock over the penalty to give SMOB the lead with a few minutes left on the clock.

A win ugly performance on the road in the Forrest – great to see our strength in depth with strong performances from Jack Bradshaw, Edd Loughran, Rhys James, Dan Downman Mason Ball and Jordan Sheppard.

Next weekend is the critical home game v Hucclecote and we need a full squad attendance at training to help with preparation and to push for places. Only 18 can take to the pitch but you can all play your part.