Just say yes

We had been to Bognor Regis before and often the games had been shortened when we were winning quite comfortably. We started very well and had all the possession however our passing was too slow and we hit it flat instead of at speed, and Bognor were very good at defending. On the occasions when our two wings Craig Dent and John Matthews finally got the ball it did look dangerous and we got a few good strides forward.

20 minutes into the match we beat their scrum again and finally passed it out to the left where George Carbone turned up and we were up 5-0.

Second half started with Ollie Lewis running up the pitch with the ball – twisting and turning like a Brazilian football player. Ole, Ole his father shouted – reminiscing his own rugby youth??

That unfortunately kick-started Bognor and our mistakes came flowing as fast as their tries. 12-5 – and while Bognor were getting ready for their conversion, our boys (expecting a Paulo Di Canio bollocking from Coach Jones), received a quiet question from Coach Robison. ‘Do you want to win, boys? We coaches have done what we can do; it is now up to you!’
And our Green Army just said yes.

Ben Murphy was moved from inside to outside centre and his strong forward runs made sense now and he got a great try – easily converted by Josh Medley.

Coaches did the final changes and all subs were on. With the luxury of five substitutes not everybody can be guaranteed a game but we have so much depth in the squad now, that it certainly doesn’t make us any weaker. Especially Tom Hamblet in a new role as hooker and Sam Wheeler with his speed lifted the team.

New full-back Jordan Bell did a side step and put it under the goal – before Ben Murphy got our fourth try in.

We might have thought it was a walk-over, but Bognor certainly came back. We won’t get away against the better teams, but the sun was shining, Mary Jane was just 50, Sam MoM, three conversions, four tries and bonus points. Because when asked – the boys just said yes!