WINTER IS COMING

After the resetting of the league last month and an unplayable pitch two weeks ago, Toc H 3s went to Rochdale to play their first game of the season. Before the league had been reset the 3s had beaten Rodale at Simon Field conclusively with a 78-10 win. This game was however at Rochdale, in very cold conditions against one of the better sides in the league.

Play was delayed by ten minutes due to Rochdale only being able to field 13 and waiting for extra legs. The game got started the way it was to continue with a well worked move that lead to a quick try. Paul Petrie got the first of his hat trick and James brooks narrowly missed the conversion. Play started quickly again, and a good job too as the temperature plummeted to freezing with a wickedly cold win. This was one game where no one stood still for fear of turning into icicles. Enita Okodiko filling in at scrum half was an ever present danger, picking the ball up from the half way line, shrugging off a couple of tackles and scoring. He also would go on to score 3. Rochdale were determined however and due to cold Didsbury hands, were able to bundle the ball over for a try. Some discipline problems in the 3s defence allowed a penalty which again Rochdale were able to score from. However Toc H bounced back and a try for new 12 Alex topped off a very impressive first half.

The second half started the same as the first with a quick try for toc. Unlike the first half Rochdale were not to score. Toc Hs defence was huge and the trys kept coming. Ben Griffiths scored with a splash dive that would have not looked out of place in a swimming pool. Flanker Harry, debuting for the 3s, scored a very well worked try that came from the constant pressure of the forwards. Back row Freddie Sullivan scored after a long run, so long in fact a rest was needed afterwards. Ollie groves, a constant threat on the wing also scored. The game finished with a nice move that lead to lock Ben Oldale putting an opposition player on his rear end and scoring.
All in all a great start to the season and a great way to stake our claim.

Team:
Dewel
Collins
Crabtree
Churchill - Captain
Oldale
Harry
Holding
Panton
Enita
Brooks
Griffiths
Ward-Lilley
Petrie
Groves
Buchan – Vice Captain
Cancel
Sullivan
Pinney