Starting line-up

1 Tom Powell 2 Dan Jerrod 3 Tom Elwood

4 Tom Wykes 5 Rik Relph

6 Jonathan Burch 7 Ren Pesci 8 Chris Milne

9 Rolando Pesci 10 Darey Horn 15 Jeff Mercer

16 Richard Cowley 17 James Jerrod 18 Roger McGachen 19 Chric Beddow 20 Eddie Murphy

Manager: Stuart Faben

Match report by Stuart Faben.

A cracking day for rugby, if it hadn't been for a pulled calf, sustained jogging to the warm up, I'd have loved it!! Instead I was ably assisted by Ella Cracknell (booey's daughter), with kicking tee in hand, on the touch line.

Darey started things off with a lovely hanging kick into the sun and Shelford were immediately under pressure from the Renegades forwards. Shelford dealt well with the ball at the resulting ruck and immediately span the ball wide, making their intentions clear. A hangover-less Ben made his intentions clear too and nailed his opposite number with a crunching tackle.

For the next 15 minutes Shelford had nearly all the possession, Renegades tackling well to contain their big centres. The pressure was relieved temporarily by a free kick to the Renegades at a scrum, but then entered a ruck at the side on their own 22! From the Shelford line out Renegades drove them back strongly but as the ball was flung out wide, tackler not releasing! Shelford kicked for goal, 0-3.

At this stage, while fending off Ella, who felt the need to tickle me, Shelford pressure looked like overpowering the Renegades defence.

Another good kick off and Renegades piled on the pressure, Shelford were caught off-side by the, keen to please his assessor, referee. 3-3 Tom C.

Shelford's deep restart was recipricated by Darey and Renegades chased well just outside Shelford's 22. Some impressive snaffling by Rolando and Tom E gave Renegades a turnover, Shelford infringed twice in quick succession and Rolando spotted a chance, quick tap from 8 meters out and he showed good strength to bundle over for the first try, Tom C converted. 10-3

Shelford came back strongly, through their 12 & 13. They were thwarted by medic, then dan, then glove, but 12 then offloaded skilfully out of another tackle to his outside centre supporting well, who ran in an easy finish, converted. 10-10.

Ella was beginning to flag, she couldn't understand why we kept walking up and down the touch line, I explained a game was taking place!

Renegades then lost some inhibitions and ran and supported each other brilliantly, offloading out of tackles. The Powell brothers supported oneanother. Tom C and JB linked up and threatened the 5 meter line, Shelford knocked on, Renegades scrum powered towards the line, a pushover try only stopped by Shelford illegally collapsing. Rolando risked a quick tap then popped to Darey who crashed over. Not converted. 15-10.

Half time, James on for Rik, Ella began sniffing the kicking tee! Eau de chien merd apparently! I refused her kind offer of a sniff!

James's first job was to expertly take a high kick off by Shelford who pressured him in numbers and forced a turnover, they then tried to force things through their impressive centres, luckily for Renegades Dans ribs got in the way, not so lucky for Dan! After a bief pause, to refill his lungs and determine his ribs were more flexible than were designed, he joined the scrum and proceeded to take one against the head! Renegades backs looked dangerous and Shelford had to infringe again. From 10 meters Rolando, again, tapped and went for the line, forcing his way over. Tom converted. 22-10.

Ella now took on diva like status, (arms folded) refusing to retrieve the ball when it went off the pitch!

Roger on for JB. The an interesting and entertaining passage of play in which Renegades kicked for touch from a penalty, not straight at lineout, turned the scrum over, shelford turned the ball over at a ruck, kicked, medic then kicked, shelford kicked, in the mean time Tom W scrummaged, chased, retreated, chased, retreated, then shouted "kick the ball out for fucks sake" medic duly obliged.

Shelford needed a different approach, their centres looking less effective. For the following 15 minutes Renegades dominated, taking scrums against the head, rucking well and running well, notably Tom P, Tom C and Ben, Rolando took the ball into contact well breaking the gain line and Renegades powered forward in a couple of mauls. Shelford, though seemed to be recharging their batteries and after a turnover managed to spin the ball out, some good interplay from their wingers and centres gave their outside centre a clear run at the line with only medic to beat. Medic shirked the golden rule; get head on the right side of the tackle, and took the bigger opponent down with his head, cleverly planted on the 13's knee! The shelford player needed the full 15 minutes allowed off the pitch to recover, before, thankfully, returning. Shelford were awarded a penalty. Kicked. 22-13.

JB now refused to sniff Ella's kicking tee, she explained to him and a Shelford sub that her uncles dog eats cat poo!

From here Renegades were rampant Harry was stopped by a high tackle on a brilliant line, at pace, on the inside shoulder of his opposite number, his brother kicked the 3. 25-13. Renegades didn't let up and turned over a scrum, then worked through several phases first right then left then right again, Darey made a piercing break, offloaded to Harry, who drew his man then put Ben in under the posts! Shelford were beaten! 32-13.

Best game of the season so far, best opposition we've played and in a great spirit by both sides.

try

Rolando Pesci 2
Daray Horn 1
Ben Powell 1

Penalty

Tom Cowley 3

Conversion

Tom Cowley 2

Drop Goal

Nominations

Player of the match: Ben (great tackling and defence). Doughnut of the match: Beaky (for choosing peppa pig over renegades)
Biggest tackle - Medic (ouch!)