Minch Rams 39

Gordon League 31

MINCH Rams started the new year with an highly entertaining and challenging fixture with Gordon League at Holly Bush.

The Rams, unfashionably for them, commenced the game with both determination and control. The forwards and backs linked well to keep ball possession and gain territorial ground. So when Gordon League turned over a ruck on their try line and their backs whizzed 100 yards to score The Rams knew this was was going to be belter of a match.

With props Wood and Macallum stirred by Maller, Burfoot and Bell in the engine room it assured scrum dominance thus allowing the backs good clean ball on the front foot. However, The Rams all too often kicked away possession giving Gordon League golden opportunities to run from a-deep and touch down after some excellent moves despite heroic tackling from Stride and MaClaren.

Mellor had to make an early exit due to an injury but not after a fantastic 20 minutes of rugby. Burfoot as substitute carried his batten with powerful runs. Beaumont tidied up a lot of loose ball and managed a few critical ruck turnover’s.

As the backs gained confidence their handling and dynamism saw The Rams scoring tries by McLaren and Hudson with 40 yard runs. Eagles dived over after a dummy pass at the back of a ruck and when Fruin cut through his opposition to score The Rams were on the verge of a magnificent victory.

With captain JJ Wood encouraging The Rams to maintain their concentration, after Gordon League muscled a late try, Minch held on to enjoy a exhausting 39:31 victory.