Spartans RFC 1st XV 15Pts vs Towcestrians RFC 1st XV 18Pts RFU INTERMEDIATE CUP

6th February 2010
  
Towcestrians travelled to Sutton Coldfield for this quarter final game of the Intermediate Cup to play Spartans for the first time, and in this keenly contested and well disciplined game between two evenly matched sides, Tows eventually came out the narrowest of winners to move into the semi-final.
 
Towcestrians started the game showing good form to take the early initiative, which only seemed to stir the big mobile home pack who roared back to cross the Tows line for an unconverted try. The brisk tempo of the game continued and although both sides pressed hard to secure an advantage, both forwards and backs countered the efforts of the opposing side.  However, in the final phases of the half, Tows at last found a way through the Spartans defence when centre Martyn Harvey broke tackles to find a gap and make ground.  The Tows forwards piled on the pressure and as they battered the Spartans line, prop Joe Chambers emerged with the ball to burst over the line and score.  When full back Matt Yuill slotted the conversion, the referee blew for half time, and Tows were marginally ahead.
 
Spartans showed their intent at the beginning of the second half as they split the Tows defence to score a converted try and secure a 12Pts to 7Pts lead.  Tows fought back only to lose momentum when both fly half Chris George and Capt Dan Banks left the field with injuries. Facing an uphill task, the Tows forwards rallied against their bigger opponents and in taking the game back to the home side, it was prop John Causebrook who was on hand to cross in the corner.  Both sides now went into all out attack and giving their all to secure the outright winning score.  Penalties were exchanged between both sides, first to Spartans and then by Yuill for Tows. 
 
With time running out on the misty Midlands pitch, there was real drama as Yuill dropped a 35m goal to give Tows the lead.  In the final minutes, Spartans refused to accept defeat and despite Tows’ attempts to ‘close out the game’ in the opposition half, the Spartans forwards retained the ball with a series of pick and drive moves taking them up field towards the Tows line.  As Spartans surged forward, the Tows defence held firm, and then with a handling error from the home side they finally conceded the result to Tows 15Pts to 18Pts, after a wholeheartedly fought game.   
 
Towcestrians offer their thanks to the players, supporters and officials of a special rugby club who were truly magnanimous in defeat.
 
Next week Towcestrians RFC 1st XV return to League action with a HOME fixture against Northampton Old Scouts RFC 1st XV.  Kick Off 2.15pm.
 
Dunstable RFC 3rd XV 21 Pts vs Towcestrians RFC 3rd XV 0Pts
 
COLTS Oceanic Cup
Towcestrians RFC COLTS XV 13Pts vs Northampton Old Scouts COLTS 0Pts
 
For more information contact:  Bob Price on (01604) 858795 or
David Taylor on (01327) 352248.   e-mail:  david.taylor@towcestriansrfc.net