Service entertained Holywood in a tight match with both teams desperate for the points in order to generate a late season push into mid table.
Service took to the field with a team short some key players after injuries to John and Brett and late call ups to the 1st XV for Kenny and Greg. This coupled with more than a handful of injury worries to Bryn and team captain Stevie resulted in a less than ideal build up to the game.
An undisciplined start to the match by Service allowed Holywood to take an early lead when their flanker took advantage of confusion in the Service back line to score a soft try in the corner following a penalty against Service. Despite somewhat justified protests from the Service players that the Holywood captain had called for the posts before taking a sneaky tap penalty the try stood. Reeling from this early set back, Service were again guilty of basic errors as Holywood scored another soft try and extended their lead to 14v0.
Service gathered their composure and began to press Holywood back into their own half. Kevin was denied a try in the corner when the Holywood fullback was alert to a clever cross field kick from William (that looked a lot like a bad attempt at a drop goal). Chris was also cruelly denied an opening try when he was judged to have made a double movement to ground the ball under the posts (a decision that the Holywood players were honest enough to admit was probably incorrect in the bar afterwards). Service frustrations were heightened when Aaron was trailed back by the last Holywood defender as he chased his kick through to the line. This was the second time in as many matches that Service2’s have been on the wrong end of this decision.
The half time break brought with it a renewed passion and sense of purpose from the Service players. It immediately showed on the pitch with team Captain Stevie Moore crossing the line to round of a fantastic period of Service rucking and mauling.
With the Holywood scrum under pressure and the Service forwards making great territorial gains disaster struck when a speculative kick from the Holywood fly half bounced wildly in the in goal area and looped over the head of despairing Service fullback Ryan and into the arms of the on rushing Holywood player.
After avoiding another scare when Aaron stopped the Hollywood fullback just yards from the try line, Service pinned Hollywood back for the remainder of the match in a late attempt to snatch a win. Their pressure finally paid off when Bryn charged down a clearance kick and won the resulting foot race to score the try. Unfortunately, William was unable to add the extra 2 points.
The final play of the game found Service defending a lineout just 5 metres from their try line. A brilliant steal set the platform for a Service drive that would finish with Chris crossing the line under the Hollywood posts. Holywood offered no answer to the strong rucking and mauling from the Service pack and gave away a staggering 13 penalties before their line was breached. Jason, Stevie Andy and Chris took turns to crash through the gain line after quickly taken tap penalties from the Service scrum half. The resulting try was just reward for Service efforts in the second half.
Holywood took advantage of combination of some errant kicks and a very sluggish start to the first half by Service 2’s. Services’ valiant efforts in the second half were not enough to undo the damage done early on in the game. A strong forward pack created some inspirational rugby and led this drive in the second half. Holywood justly took the points but all things been equal Service should have secured the victory.
Moment of the match: The final play when Service rucked all the way from their line to score a try under the Holywood posts. However, there were some memorable moments worthy of a mention such as Bryn wrongly been pinned for ‘ungentlemanly conduct’ after his cry of ‘take his legs’ was misinterpreted as ‘break his legs’ by the referee. Aarons two try stopping tackles were balanced by his screaming like a girl when dragged from a ruck by his ear.
Man of the match: Owen and Bryn came close for their efforts but Jason earns this honour for the yards created fighting his way through the Holywood pack all afternoon.
