Both sides keep the scoreboard ticking over in an enjoyable, high scoring match at Smarts Road.

So, a day when the thirds are entertaining Stoke OB’s, and by entertaining I mean shoving Puffa Fish’s head up his own behind so that he is genuinely now talking out of it, and the fourths venture over the border to Bedworth. Clearly not the glamour match of the day judging by the spectators on the touchline though a number of Bedworth’s supporters were clearly out to see their ‘Vets’ see off the intruders.

Broadstreet turned up with sixteen players (not necessarily the same sixteen Tinkerman thought would be there but sixteen none the less). Bedworth had 14, and importantly a ref. Broadstreet skipper, MFC Warne, kindly lent them a player to ensure an even contest, what was he thinking. Though when Bedworth saw a rather scrawny Suckers walk over they were heard to cuss. More of this later…

The game kicked off, broadly on time, though no-one seemed to tell the ‘Street boys. To say they were slow to get into the game is a bit like suggesting England were only a little bit sh1t during the world cup, i.e. a massive understatement.

Bedworth scored a number of swift tries (three) before Broadstreet realised that they could tackle and catch. Indeed one of these tries came from our own Suckers. It’s an interesting nickname for a young lad but maybe its origins are best left unexplored.

Anyway Broadstreet did wake up and did start to play some rugby. The pack were working hard to compete in the set piece and after the first scrum did hold their own. Ably led from the front by veteran Kev Truslove, who felt it only right to deputise for a C. Baines, who let his team mates down for the second week on the trot by failing to turn up.  Cock.

Realising we actually had the beating of their backs the Broadstreet flyers, led by MFC Warne, began to enjoy themselves, throwing the ball around and behaving like Captain Kirk, exploring Space, a lesson the England team could do with learning.

Gavin BarsbyA flowing move through two pairs of hands saw Yorkshire Gav dive over to record our first points of the day. Unfortunately it also saw him take a nasty bump to his hand and conscious of the delegate balance the game was now at he decided to leave the field. Great.

Broadstreet had some trouble with the southern hemisphere interpretation of the breakdown laws, and took approximately fifteen minutes to realise by being slower and knackered they would actually infringe less. This approach was then enthusiastically adopted by almost the entire team, with the exception of Clinton, Captain Jack Barker and James Clifford who continued to compete at the breakdown. And do most of everyone else’s tackling.

Ian and Bill were working manfully in the second row, indeed the Vennard family gave their all with Andy playing in the centre and kicking conversions and Will coming on to help out despite being injured himself.

Broadstreet scored again only for Bedworth, in the form of Suckers to strike back. Signalling the end of the half and with both sides down to fourteen, Broadstreet skipper then asked Suckers to come back to play for his proper team. Not the most sporting of gestures but fully vindicated when ‘Street lost yet another player. Broadstreet made these numbers count when they scored another to remain within touching distance of Bedworth. Bedworth then managed to cajole a late spectator into putting on kit and were back on terms fourteen apiece. ‘Street lost their big prop and to both sets of forwards relief, they were playing unopposed scrums.

At this point ‘Street scored three unanswered tries, from hazy recollection through Sam in the centre, to take a commanding lead only for Bedworth to pull one back near the end. Leaving ‘Street winners in what was a hugely entertaining game for the players, even if the spectators weren’t so convinced.

Thanks to Bedworth for a very hospitable day, a good ref, a good pint after, and a big screen to watch Wales bow out only one game further into the tournament than England. Such a shame. 

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