1st Team
Matches
Sat 01 Apr 2017  ·  Surrey 3
Old Johnians
Tries: (2)Conversions:
12
38
Metropolitan Police Rugby Club
1st Team
Tries: M Cartledge, C Healy, C Kiernan, S Hall, C HollowayConversions: J Connolly (5)Drop Goals: J Connolly
CHANGES IN PITCH MAKE MET SCREAM TO VICTORY

CHANGES IN PITCH MAKE MET SCREAM TO VICTORY

Neil SINCLAIR11 Apr 2017 - 10:29
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Injury to O'Brien can't halt Police

Met Police were back in action on Saturday in the lovely surroundings of Wimbledon Rugby Club, playing against Old Johnians. The game before Christmas was a cracker for all supporters so this was expected to be a fantastic affair with both teams basking in the glorious sunny weather.

It was an unusual start for The Met who scored within the first few minutes, a feat they have failed to do on every previous occasion. Securing the ball from the kick off the Met put a few forward phases together before releasing winger Michael Cartledge out wide to run in the first try of the day. This was duly converted by JJ Connolly.
The Met were soon back in Old Johns 22 and bringing pressure to bear at the scrum. A string of penalties eventually created time and space for Connolly to attempt a ‘cheeky’ drop goal which was successful.
With a 10 point lead, The Met were playing very well in the pack but the sunshine seemed to have a stupefying effect on both sides and the ground lacked any atmosphere. The decibels were to increase dramatically as Gareth O’Brien Took the ball in and landed awkwardly with a large cry of pain. Cries of ‘Man Up’, ‘Come On Gareth’, and I’m sure Russell Turner mentioned ‘Magic Sponge, Anyone’.
The game was stopped for a period of time before the ref decided to change the pitch. From afar the alternative pitch looked fine although very small. Nevertheless it was good enough to play on whilst poor O’Brien received treatment from the opposition. who showed great care and concern for the injured opponent. The spirit of sport and rugby at its finest. Subsequent X-Rays and scans revealed he dislocated his hip and broke his pelvis.
The Met finished the first half well, adapting quickly to the new dimensions, not least Cormac Healy who made the decision to show and go and sped in for The Met’s second try. Shortly afterwards Connolly put in a great chip and that was pounced on by Chris Kiernan, The Mets flying 7, who took the try brilliantly. Half-time arrived with the Met maintaining a clean sheet whilst racking up 24 points of their own.
Queue pitch change 3. As an adjacent game finished the decision was made to move to the now free, third pitch. Old Johns obviously preferred this surface and ran in two quick tries from their very strong 13 runner. The Met regrouped, no doubt remembering the comeback St Johns enacted pre-Christmas. This time, the Met’s team talk worked and the visitors took control of the game; it was not long before The Met scored their 4th try. It came through great play from the forwards and then a pick and go from captain and scrum half Simon Hall to touched down for the bonus point.
A succession of head injuries marred the game’s conclusion as it was reduced to uncontested scrums. The Met’s top try scorer, Chris Holloway, had been waiting all day to score a try and with the last passage of play he did so, in a style more befitting Harlem Globetrotters than grass roots rugby.
The game ended Old Johns 12 v The Met 38. The win obviously coming at a cost for The Met losing Gareth O’Brien no doubt for several months and we wish him a speedy recovery.

Match details

Match date

Sat 01 Apr 2017

Kickoff

15:00

Competition

Surrey 3

League position

3
Metropolitan Police
4
Old Johnians
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Club Sponsor - Met Friendly
Shirt Sponsor - Renzacci UK
Kit Supplier - Raging Bull
MPRFC Sports Ground - Imber Court
Club Sponsor - Powerhouse Fitness