Broadstreet RFC

10 wins from 10 - Beavers maintain impressive unbeaten league run!

Earlsdon Development/2^nd XV vs Broadstreet Beavers

15^th Jan 2011

With the majority of Cov Uni lads back from holidays plus a large number of Senior Colts all available, this week’s selection for the Beaver’s XV was never going to please everyone, and this problem was made worse with our inability to find a last-minute fixture for the Badgers XV.   Therefore, not for the first time this season, we were forced to ask our league opponents if they would allow us to exceed the limit of 5 replacements in return for them having rolling subs.  Initially Earlsdon were happy with this concession, however after further discussion, a last minute change of heart meant disappointment for 5 of our replacements (Apologies to Steve Devoy, Liam Hill, Joe Boyle, Adam Naylor & Lewis Clarke!).  Despite the tempting proposition of wandering over to the adjacent pitch to ask Cov Tech if they could join in their “kickabout”, on a cold and blustery day most of the lads decided to wrap up warm and/or retire to the bar to watch us attempt to continue our unbeaten streak.

Actually, the majority of the people on the sidelines probably wished they’d stayed indoors in the warm, as this wasn’t exactly a free-flowing game of rugby.  Now some may say that the state of the pitch, the fierce wind and a tricky crossfield slope didn’t help matters, but the main reason Broadstreet never really got going was the dogged defence of a young, determined  and resolute Earlsdon Development XV.

An early injury to open-side flanker Chris Zutic gave Joe Berry  the opportunity to shine in the back-row alongside 3^rd XV stalwart Mike Bednell, and veteran Dean Watts, playing his first game in 12 weeks since breaking his hand in the friendly against Pinley.  Despite plenty of chances, Street failed to make the most of the majority of the possession in the 1^st half and just 14 points separated the sides at half-time, with tries from fly-half John Warne and centre Mark Furze, who did extremely well to outpace the full-back after some clever footwork dumbfounded his opposing centres.

HALF-TIME:        Earlsdon  RFC 0 - Broadstreet RFC  14

During the break, John Warne kindly stepped aside at fly-half to make way for promising Colt Jack Howlands,  George Chrisp replaced Mark Furze in the centre,  Cov Uni’s Dave Lewis came on in the 2^nd row and fellow Uni soap-dodger Lee Betts took over from Robbie Holmes at full-back.

These changes seemed to provide the spark that Broadstreet required, with all the replacements having immediate impact.  As a result,  Street soon put the game beyond Earlsdon’s youngsters with a penalty from Jack Howlands and a try from speedy wingster Mark Brittain (after several thwarted attempts), and a superb individual effort from big 2^nd row Dave Lewis, who defied his bulky frame to show an impressive turn of pace over 25 yards, which was rounded off by an audacious side-step!!

FULL-TIME:         Earlsdon RFC 0 - Broadstreet  RFC 29

Elsewhere in Warwickshire League 1, Old Laurent’s beat Barkers 21-37, running in 7 tries, and Newbold beat Spartans 29-17.

This Saturday (22^nd Jan) sees us at home to Stratford RFC, with OL’s away to Leamington.  The Badgers are at home vs Coalville so everyone will get a game this Saturday.

MotM: A number of people returning after enforced absences did extremely well.  University layabout Rob Cannon had a great game on the right wing, proving that a month lying on your’ parents sofa watching Daybreak is the perfect mid-season pick-me-up.....and fellow State-spongers Sam “Seth” Vale, Lee Betts and Dave Lewis also made fantastic contributions.  Jack Howland’s 2^nd half stint at fly-half proved why he has been put forward for England Colleges, however this week’s MotM goes to Joe Berry – a constant menace when he came on at open-side.

DotD:

Mark “Rabbit” Fisher – constantly threatening to do damage to anyone that moved, however the only damage he appeared to do was to his own voicebox.