For their 15th game of their season, the Thamesians 2s travelled to Ealing for their bout against the Trailfinder 3s. Undefeated so far in the season, confidence was high.
After an inspiring team talk by Acting Captain Louis Clissold and Team Manager James Sibthorp, the match began.
Matt Lally showed the Trailfinders what it means to be a Thamesian and smashed through 4 of the oppo’s men early on, earning the first Try of the match. Confidence remained high as the half continued. However, after an unfortunate breakthrough after a stellar push from the forwards on a maul meant that the Trailfinders scored their first Try, and no less than 3 minutes later they broke-through again and scored their second.
Tension was high on and off the pitch for the Thamesians.
It looked to be that the Trailfinders were to be successful with a third Try in the first half, but thankfully Adam Turl put his body on the line and managed to stop them. Unfortunately this meant that he was out of commission for the rest of the match, still conscious, still sat up, but off the pitch.
As if fueled by revenge, Ts played their game wide and got the ball to Ian Van-Mourik who ran into contact before popping the ball off smoothly to Donovan Noble. Donovan showed us what it's like to be part tank and drove through their defensive line and scored the Thamesians their second Try of the match.
Halftime was called. 12-12. The heat was on.
Confidence was somewhat shaken, but the tenacity of the Thamesians isn't to be trifled with. And with the burning fire caused by the Actonians still kindling the team was ready to put their best foot forward. The team order was reshuffled ready for the second half, and the Thamesians were ready.
Throughout the half, Thamesians kept the defence well, and even gave Louis Clissold the opportunity for a Goal Kick not once but twice. However, it wasn’t quite enough and the Actonians were able to score one more Try, and even after an aggressive attack over and over full-time ended with a 15-19 loss.
Some matches everyone comes away with bruises, marks, and scars, and no one came away with a bigger one than Ian Van-Mourik as his eyebrow had swelled so much from a devastating tackle that he could no longer see out of his left eye.
The fire in them burning fiercer than ever before, the Thamesians look ever forwards to their upcoming matches. 3 more until the end of the season, and the opportunity to move up a league tantalisingly closer.
