Service can take many positives from a defeat in which they were competitive for the first 60 minutes, having turned round at half time just one try down – pleasingly having avoided the usual 3-tries-in-the-first-10-minutes gift to the opposition.
Service enjoyed substantial possession during the first 40, but were unable to turn it into points against a strong Sarries defence. The only first half try for the home team came after a hopeful punt hung on the wind and then bounced fortunately for the touchdown. Sarries added 3 further points after opting to kick at goal from a close range penalty – surely breaking all conventions of grassroots rugby?
Service began the second half well, but a series of injuries began to weaken the team, resulting in Sarries pulling away in the final quarter.
Positives included: Service’s tight five once more totally dominating at scrum-time, with Isaac Lewis making 3 clean strikes against the head and the Sarries pack regularly going backwards and/or sideways; good lineout ball despite the blustery conditions; hard running from Ross Ruck, Liam Stretton and Pierre Lombard; and an overall sense of purpose and organisation against a very strong Sarries line-up.
FFS make yourselves available next week everyone – let’s do it all again, but a bit better!
MoM: Chairman says Pierre Lombard, I say Isaac Lewis
DoD: Everyone says Stephen Yiend for getting sin-binned after repeated infringements at the lineout – the ref sending him on his way with the immortal words “you should know better at your age”