League match.

   Having a spare hour I thought I would set up the pitch and try a league match, and also try and open the game up a bit! So Halifax took on Bradford Northern, I decided on 20 minutes each way, being a suitable time to try out different theories. When possession is established, I would when practical, resort to tactical kicking to gain ground. This seems to work well enough, without making the game easy, in fact the first half finished nil nil.!! The play ball scenario of league speeds things up a little, but scrums instead of line outs probably take up just about the same time. A fortunate tactical kick by Bradford put the ball in the in goal area, and despite a game blocking flick, Bradford swerved neatly around the figure and scored a try. The resulting conversion attempt sailed beautifully between the posts leaving Bradford leading 6 nil. Near misses by Halifax were becoming somewhat frustrating, until in the final 2 minutes a brilliant tactical kick put them in a very favourable scoring position, a poor blocking flick resulted in Halifax securing a much needed try. All that was needed now in the dying seconds was a conversion to draw the game, sadly the attempt literally just brushed past the outside of the left hand post, and full time being up the final score was Bradford Northern 6 Halifax 4.
                The more I play this game, the better I like it, there is still a way to go with the rules, but it's fun trying out different ideas. It is probably some 40 years too late for the game, and it is never going to compete with all the electronic gizmos, but to people like me who prefer hands on, I think it just may still appeal.
            Rugby Union season has just started, so I had better stage some union games, watch this space for future matches!!!!