A quality-looking team sheet before the game suggested a good afternoon was ahead for the Met Police’s boys. Old Haileyburians came into the game without a win for the season so far, and on paper looked there for the taking, but the Met knew this would be no walkover. Old Haileyburians provided a nice playing surface, but the high winds throughout the game would prove tricky for everyone involved.

The first half was played at a high tempo, dictated by Old Haileyburians. Old Haileyburians were here to play and make a game of it. They utilised the offloading game to good effect, and the Met appeared to struggle early on. Some poor handling by Old Haileyburians allowed the Met to stay in the game. The referee appeared to struggle to police the breakdown adequately or identify many Old Haileyburians infringements, which further stifled the Met’s ability to play. The Met stuck to their game plan, but some disjointed phases and insufficient support at the breakdown allowed Old Haileyburians to stay in touch. The Met were unlucky not to get their first try with two near-the-line efforts held up. Some effective running by the Met midfield soon produced the first try, Will Markham slicing through untouched and under the posts. Old Haileyburians didn’t stay down for long, and were soon on the scoreboard with their own seven pointer, poor tackling and slowness to the breakdown allowing Old Haileyburians back in. Old Haileyburians continued to run at gaps and offload, putting the Met on the back foot more than they’d have liked. Some miscommunication also caused the Met some scares.

7 apiece at half time.

The second half was much the same as the first, but the attritional nature of the game soon became apparent, players from both sides keeping the physio busy. Simon Hall sadly had to leave the game due to injury, after a tough afternoon at the coal face, putting in a solid performance. A rejig of the backline followed, but this did not affect the Met’s efforts. Two differing styles of play continued to collide, with neither side gaining any major advantage. Poor discipline by the Met, coupled with the referee’s continued inability to marshal the game, turned out to be the difference between the two sides. Two seven pointers from Old Haileyburians made the Met’s job increasingly difficult. Some good work by the Met pack allowed the backs to attack the Old Haileyburians back line. This was typified by David Mills at blindside flanker who put in a quality individual performance. With Will Markham off through injury, the further altered back line continued to attack well despite the changes, with James Beck and Joe Billyard now working in midfield together. Lawrence Stone, now at full back, provided some robust tackling in defence, some fearsome hits coming from the committed winger. Joe Askew also succumbed to injury after an outstanding shift in the engine room. A trademark jinking run from Jo Billyard, gave the Met some hope as he touched down for the try. Some tough running from the Met pack was the highlight of the game, especially from Bakkies Porter and Matt Iles, but the lack of physicality in defence and at the breakdown allowed Old Haileyburians to take advantage. Despite Joe Billyard’s late try, the game was lost, the scoreline slightly flattering the Met after some inconsistent work in defence.

Special Mentions:
Lawrence Stone - tackling like a man possessed
David Mills - An individual performance reminiscent of Richard Hill at Blindside Flanker. Silent assasin.

Man of the match - Joe Askew for his sterling all round work rate.