Eventually gaining access, we went straight in to change into our kit. As we did so, I heard a comment from the opposition, " Blimey, they're going through to change already, they're obviously quite serious." We had set our stall out from the off.
When Sheppey came out pre-match, it was obvious they were well drilled and confident with it. It was clear it was going to be our sternest test to date.
At kick-off, although we seemed to gain territorial advantage for the first few exchanges, no points came our way, and this was the story for the first 20 minutes. Prop Wilkie was injured when a scrum collapsed about 10 minutes into the game, so partially injured skipper Lait the only substitute,was forced to take to the field, and play in an unfamiliar back-row position. Scrummages were forced to become uncontested, which was an unfortunate situation as we had won all of our own put-ins, and stolen one against the head.
Sheppey eventually broke the deadlock after about 20 minutes, when their winger broke a couple of attempted tackles in midfield and scored under the posts. (5-0) The conversion was surprisingly missed by their fly-half.
New NAG centre partnership Josh John and Paul Jackson soon began to gel, and we started to look dangerous in attack, as the ball was going to hand. We were rewarded after about 30 minutes, when the ball was quickly recycled and spun wide for Forrester to score out on the right.(5-5) The conversion was missed by Opitz. The remainder of the half was quite evenly matched with NAG tackling superbly all over the park, but paying their opposition too much respect. HALF-TIME
After a few observations were discussed during the team talk a new positive approach by NAG 2's was apparent. Sheppey team and their coaches were still talking a good game, but it was NAG who were able dominate possession and territory. From the re-start the ball was caught and driven in to the opposing pack, and mauled deep into Sheppey territory, where NAG were awarded a penalty. Lait decided to have a crack with his left foot from distance, and although the kick was missed, the fielding Sheppey player knocked on trying to catch it. From the resulting scrum Jackson at outside centre cut through the defence to score under the posts. (5-10) This was converted by Opitz (5-12). Some good positional kicking by both Chapman & Opitz soon saw NAG back into opposing territory. McClouglin & Kember were winning everyting in the loose, and when Sheppey did get the ball and attempt to run,their backs were cut down by Jackson, Oram & Forrester who were brilliant throughout. NAG's 3rd try was a result from some good solid foundations laid by the pack, and fast recycling again by the backs. Man of the match Oram, sidestepped and broke through some attempted tackles to again score under the posts. (5-17) Converted by Opitz (5-19). NAG were fully in charge of the game now, and a combination of forwards mauling and Chapman kicking at the base of the set, saw us attacking the posts again. A penalty was again awarded to NAG, as Sheppey ran out of ideas on how to stop them legally. This was in a perfectly kickable position, for which Opitz duly obliged. (5-22)
Now 3 scores ahead, we knew that Sheppey would try and run everything at us. Their skill level didn't quite match their confidence however, and Forrester demonstrated everything good about NAG's performance when he folded his opposite number in half, with the tackle of the day.
Eventually Sheppey found a way through though. NAG were outnumbered in defence and Sheppey flung the ball wide for their winger to score by the touchline. (10-22) Conversion missed.
Sheppey's young full-back had appeared nervous and inexperienced throughout the game, and he was caught out of position for the final score. Kember won a turnover outside the opposition 22m, and it was quickly spun to Opitz at fly-half who had the vision to spot the young full-back out of position and hack the ball through, before hacking again and winning the race to the line to score a superb individual try. (10-27)
At the final whistle Sheppey's coaches resorted to swarming around the referee like a Premiership football team, stating that they were going to claim the game as it had gone to uncontested scrums, as we had not brought a replacement front row.
To me, it just showed that a team who really believed that they had real promotion potential, had had their pants taken down, and been taught a real lesson on their home soil. I suggest next time you keep the gate locked when NAG are coming to town !