Felsted travelled to Manchester GS for the Quarter Final for the NatWest Cup with the winner taking the first place in the 2016 Semi-Finals at The Allianz Stadium on March 4th 2017!
Felsted having gone up the night before were joined by the large group of travelling supporters who have now become the extra player on the pitch for the XV on the day. Manchester GS kicked off at 2.15pm under the cold grey skies synonymous with the North West.
The home side were certainly fired up, helped by the tuneful pupil support and the less tuneful accomplishment that was the drums. For those who have suffered at the hands of the barmy army while settling down to watch a day of test cricket will understand the noise being generated by the Manchester GS pupils on the touchline. The rope keeping the spectators back had quietly been edged closer to the pitch adding to the atmosphere on this tight, but excellently presented pitch.
Manchester GS regained the kick off and for the next 15 minutes dominated proceedings as they pressurised the Felsted XV when not in possession and kept the ball moving well when in possession. Felsted under this pressure gave away two early penalties that were easily converted and it was certainly the strong and powerful Manchester GS backrow that were writing the headlines. It was soon 11-0 to Manchester GS after a skilful lineout had got them within 5 metres off the line before knocking on. Felsted had the opportunity to counter, but in kicking possession immediately away directly back to Manchester GS they conceded a try near the right hand uprights. The missed conversion at the time seemed of little consequence as Manchester GS were well in control of the match. Felsted continued to work hard and slowly started to build some phases that were making inroads into the opposition defence. Manchester transgressed and O. Walker knocked over the penalty to get Felsted on the scoreboard. It was at this point that the next two meaningful plays in the match ultimately dictated the result as Felsted grabbed the momentum of the game that they never really relinquished excusing the last few minutes.
Manchester GS having capitalised on a poor lineout made 50 metres with the outstanding Manchester GS No8 being felled 2 metres short by an match saving tackle by O. Walker. Manchester GS recycled the ball, but when the chance to utilise the large overlap on the left materialised they fluffed their lines with a little help from the covering J. King. It was then only moments later that the dangerous P. Martin who looked threatening all afternoon for Felsted picked off an interception, hung on to the ball and pinned his ears back for the corner. This try was maximised by the conversion from the touchline from O. Walker and from 11-0 to 11-10 in a flash with Manchester GS visibly stunned and now on the back foot. Felsted started to keep the ball and build the phases and despite the disappointment of a disallowed try for the industrious W. Barker, Felsted did add another 3 points from the boot of O.Walker to leave Felsted 13-11 up at half term. R.Willis was brought on for the injured T. Hitchcock with J.King moving to centre and R. Willis onto the wing.
The second half started with Felsted suffering at the hands of penalties and it seemed that despite having the ability to get into some excellent field positions, the infringements kept Manchester GS in the game. After a number of penalties in a row against Felsted M. Gilham was given a yellow card for persistent offences and the Felsted XV need to shuffle the backs a touch to fill in the gaps. The 14 men managed the game extremely well and the work upfront from H. Brown, L.Bury, M.Barton, J.Rye, O Stonham and the jack in the box G. Oxlade was immense during this period and when M.Gilham returned the score remained 13-11 to Felsted. M. Gilham, O. Hills and O. Walker were managing the game well with some excellent cross field kicks pushing Manchester GS back and with Felsted playing most the game in the attacking half the game seemed in control.
This control was confirmed when a clever backs move saw M.Gilham crossing the white line to give Felsted what was still a nervous lead of 18-11. The game was fierce in the middle of the park and both sides endeavour was cancelling each other out a touch and with mistakes creeping in, Felsted were able to keep Manchester GS away from their line. This lead was added to by another Felsted penalty and a great pressure kick from O.Walker. The offense saw Manchester GS lose a man to the sin bin, but with a deficit of 21-11 they really started hitting the breakdown hard and creating a few gaps. This led to a try after Felsted for fell off a couple of tackles not seen for a while and an extremely tense finale. The last 3 minutes or so seemed like 20 minutes and after a prolonged last play due to repeat offences by Felsted, eventually the ball was knocked on and M.Gilham cleared the ball to queue the celebrations.
As always, it is tough on the losing side who gave their all in the game and Manchester GS can hold their heads up high after not giving up, but the Felsted XV can be extremely proud of clawing themselves back into the game after a difficult opening 15 minutes to add 21 unanswered points to seal a famous away victory and a place in the Natwest Cup Semi-Final. This victory was very much a team effort with the 22 boys in the squad all crucial to the outcome.