After a lengthy Christmas break, which was cruelly extended by the weather, we headed to Norwich this weekend for a cup outing. Numbers were good and with 18 lads turning out, we fielded what we felt was a strong Crusaders side.

The whistle blows, and the first 5 minutes are even, although we look understandably rusty, we are making basic mistakes but thus far determination and hard work are papering over our errors; it is clear that endeavour won’t be an issue today. However, you can’t keep making blunders and get away with it, especially when you are facing a #10, #12 and #13 combination like Norwich are fielding. 3 missed tackles allow Norwich to make good ground and 2 slick passes from the aforementioned triumvirate sees us concede after 7 minutes; the conversion is missed and we are 5 – 0 down.

In training this week we practised using our forwards in attack, a ploy we intended to use today, but it is becoming clear that this won’t work here, the Norwich pack is a big one, we need to adjust our tactics quickly; and that is what we do. Almost immediately after the restart James gathers the ball from a ruck and fires it out to Tom who in turn launches a long pass that misses Josh R and Ben and lands in the hands of Dylan on the wing. This rapid spread of the play catches Norwich unawares and Dylan finishes in style. Conversion missed and its 5 – 5.

The smiles are back on Crusader’s faces, but regrettably they are short lived. A couple of minutes after we score, Olly goes down hard. He’s a tough nut but he looks in pain; it is clear that he’s hurt. Olly is whisked away to A+E for a scan (which later reveals a broken collar bone) and this seems to unsettle the team. In the next 10 minutes we concede 2 more tries, both of which are converted. Half time and we are 19 – 5 down.

At the break we talk about getting the ball through fast hands and using our width, and this seems to make a difference; the first 10 minutes of the second half is close and hotly contested. However, despite our sterling efforts, particularly from Josh D, Joseph and Archie who are dominating the forward battle, we concede again against the run of play, its converted and 26 – 5 in favour of our hosts.

This set back disturbs our rhythm and we revert to type again, we stop using our backs, choosing instead to hammer away at the Norwich pack. This pattern of play continues for 15 minutes and it takes its toll on the troops, Joseph and Matt and Josh R (all of which were brave enough to come back on in the closing stages) join Olly on the injured list and we have to constantly reshuffle the pack; so much so that the ever-ready Jack K plays in no fewer than 4 positions in the space of 15 minutes.

Just when it looks like there’s nothing left in this game for us, some rare possession for our backs once again bears fruit. James, Tom, Josh R, Jack K and Ben all combine to once again find Dylan on the touchline, and the outcome is the same; he skins the Norwich defence and runs a try into the corner. 26 – 10 to Norwich, but we’ve left this resurgence too late, time is against us.

The last few minutes of the game are messy and frenetic as we try to force it and close the gap; we eventually pay for that lack of discipline and concentration. Norwich get a penalty on our 22 after some foul play in the ruck, they take it quickly and we’ve switched off; Norwich end the game with a cheap try and the whistle blows with the final score at 31 – 10.

There are lots of lessons to be learnt from this defeat. The score flattered Norwich as there is genuinely not much between our sides, but on a day where we lacked imagination, and at times, concentration, we were our own worst enemy; but learn we will.

Despite the result there were a number of players that managed to shine in the shadows of defeat and deserve a mention in dispatches. These include Josh R who was tireless and brave throughout, Jack who showed his versatility once again, The 3 Amigos Josh D, Archie and Joseph who gave the Norwich pack a torrid time, and Will K who has the enviable knack of putting in a performance every week. Ultimately though, the accolades have to go to Dylan for a smart brace and a great all round performance.

Get well soon Olly – you’ll be sorely missed.

Man of the Match – Dylan Ringer

Leigh Beuttell

Crusaders Rugby

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