Match report.

     The next round got under way with Oundle playing Warmington.

                                          Warmington having won the toss, about to kick off.
        A very tight game to begin with, both sides being extremely careful not to give anything away with nervous mistakes. Scoring opportunities did not present themselves until out of desperation Oundle attempted a drop goal to put some points on the board.

                                      This attempt was successful, and was the only score in the first half despite some very good runs from both sides. Defence was so tight that neither side could break through for the much needed try.
                                   Half time score:   Oundle 3    Warmington  0.

                         The second half was virtually a carbon copy of the first until this run in from a scrum giving Warmington a try under the posts which was easily converted. Oundle replied with several good attacks, but were unable to penetrate the Warmington defence. A penalty almost on the half way line was missed by Oundle, and similarly a penalty attempt by Warmington went just wide.

                                  Oundle managed a good bout of possession at the end of the match and this drop goal 1 minute into injury time went over, saving some face on the game.

                                         Final score:    Oundle  6    Warmington  7.

Solo play.

   All the games are played by myself administering the rules equally to both sides, there is no bias otherwise Tansor would still be in the competition. I can see no point in favouring any side as the outcome is then controlled, I may as well just write a match report and dispense with the need to set everything up! I think the beauty of table rugby is the fact that solo play is possible more so than any of the other games. In football, it really needs two to play a proper game, as manning goal and shooting is somewhat tricky!!
                  It may be a mind set, but I have never liked cheating, in fact in the real games, with all the technology available today with instant replays etc, I do not see why decisions cannot be overturned, then hand of god incidents would be rightly penalised. In athletic events, if a participant is found to have been using drugs, the decision is overruled, so why not the rest of sport?

Knockout.

   Have decided that it would be fairer to have the remaining four teams all play each other as opposed to a sudden death system. The finalists will be the two teams with the most points, whilst the other two teams will play for the third place!!!

More action shots.

                                                    Scrummer in action before put in.

                                               And after, ball came out the right side for the team with the put in!!

                                         One of the better penalty attempts!!!

                                                    A dangerous line out situation, despite having the "throw"!!

                                        It doesn't always go according to plan, the ball bounced between the two lines,but rolled the wrong way for the side with the "throw"!!!!

Group tables.

Group A	PLAYED	W	L	Points
Fotheringhay	2	1	1	14
Cotterstock	2	1	1	13
Oundle	2	1	1	21

Group B	PLAYED	W	L	Points
Warmington	2	2		20
Tansor	2		2	18
Glapthorn	2	1	1	19

From the tables  a couple of shock results have turned the whole competition round.

From group A Fotheringhay and Oundle go through to the next round, and from group B Warmington and Glapthorn go through.

      Next week then Warmington will play Oundle and Fotheringhay will play Glapthorn.

    I am not sure whether to do a straight knock out, or to have all teams play one another and decide the final and second place games from there?  Any comments on this greatly appreciated!!

Action replays.

                   Unlucky long penalty attempt by Tansor.

Position after scrum with Glapthorn about to attempt a drop goal.

                Good effort but not enough height!!!

Group B final match.

The final match in group B was between  Tansor and Glapthorn. This match was bought forward a day because of work commitments!!

The two teams out on the pitch prior to the kick off of the final of the group play-offs.
             Glapthorn won the toss and started the game.

Despite a good start by Glapthorn, Tansor were able to come back with a blistering run and go over for a try with only 4 minutes of the game gone.

   The conversion attempt was easily put over, giving Tansor the lead. However ,shortly after this an offside infringement gave Glapthorn a penalty which they easily put over.

               The first scrum of the game went to Tansor, and despite a good run from this position, they were unable to score.

                  First line out was this dangerous looking position, a bad error by Tansor gave Glapthorn another penalty right in front of the posts. The play got very tight from here with little in it for either side, but another off side mistake gave Glapthorn yet another penalty just before half time.
   Half time score was Tansor 7 Glapthorn 9.

   A spirited start by Glapthorn in the second half resulted in this try, which they also converted.
   The resulting counter attack from Tansor was a little over enthusiastically resisted which gave Tansor a penalty that they easily scored from.
     A similar situation occured the other end of the pitch, which gave Glapthorn a penalty for off side, this they easily scored from. With 5 minutes to go, Tansor were awarded a penalty just over the half way line, which they went for goal with but just missed. With the minutes rapidly ticking away, a scrum deep in Tansor's territory resulted in a drop goal attempt by Glapthorn, but this just failed to get the height to go over the bar.

                                     Final score:  Glapthorn 19  Tansor  10.