Peter’s bounce back
A dogged effort from underachieving St Peter’s was enough to secure the victory in this fluctuating match against a hard-working LMH side, but it was a result that achieves little for either college. Peter’s were playing merely for pride; LMH would now appear unable to win the title, and may rue the fact that they were missing several key players for this crucial fixture.
With Keble on course to top the league, it would have been easy for LMH to accept defeat when trailing at half-time; equally in the face of a spirited LMH comeback, Peter’s could have caved in with little riding on the outcome. However, both teams refused to give up given their impeccable character, and at times the match was played at an almost frightening intensity, with two players sin-binned and the scrums deemed to dangerous to be contested.
Peter’s were quickly out of the blocks, clearly determined to reclaim their reputation as a tough side to beat following disappointing defeats to St Catz and Keble that had seen them drop out of the title race. Their sheer passion seemed to shock and intimidate LMH, and Peter’s looked to capitalise on the mental edge they seemed to hold over their opponents for the whole first half.
Peter’s scored their first try after only five minutes, and with Joe Stewart putting over an impressive conversion they were ahead 7-0. A shell-shocked LMH were barely able to get out of their half for the next fifteen minutes, with some flowing moves from Peter’s forcing them into desperate defence. By the twenty minute mark, LMH were beginning to look like they had weathered the storm without conceding another score.
Finally gaining possession in Peter’s half proved the title challengers’ undoing, however, as it gave Peter’s the chance to launch a rapid counter-attack. A speculative Peter’s kick along the touchline from the half-way line resulted in a race to the ball between the LMH defence and the lightning quick Joe Stewart, and there was only going to be one winner.
The Peter’s winger touched the ball down in the very corner to spark jubilant scenes among his team-mates, who were looking on from some forty yards back. With Peters’ players clearly growing in confidence, they began to play some fluent rugby, keeping the ball for several phases and spreading the ball to the wings at every opportunity. More slick passing led to an expertly dispatched penalty, making the score 15-0 at half time, with LMH seemingly out of the match entirely.
Peter’s continued where they left off as the second half began, with LMH still lacking the belief and verve needed to win fiercely fought rugby matches such as this one. That is not to say they lacked determination; their last-ditch tackles were magnificent all afternoon and at times they defended their try line as if their lives depended on keeping Peter’s out.
They simply did not believe they could overcome such a vibrant Peter’s outfit, whose pressure was rewarded with a penalty to make it 18-0 on 60 minutes. At this point, the contest seemed dead. Indeed, the referee had made the scrums uncontested only minutes previously. But the match was sparked into glorious life following a high tackle from Peter’s Jaimin Allen.
The referee, criticised by fans and players alike after some bizarre earlier decisions, showed Allen the yellow card for his challenge immediately, reducing Peter’s to 14 men. Allen was furious with the decision, correctly saying that there was no intent; LMH were furious with Allen for risking their player’s safety. The fact that the victim did not come close to injury, or even that Allen did not mean to tackle him so high, is not the point.
There is simply no room in rugby for the high tackle, and the referee was right to take decisive action. Freshly fired up, LMH looked to take advantage of their man advantage. To make their life easier, Peter’s seemed to plunge into disarray following the sin-binning of Allen, and never came to terms with playing with 14. Soon after the incident, Tom Murphy broke through the Peter’s defence, allowing Jack Wallace to score under the posts and revive the game.
For the next ten minutes, Peter’s were camped within their own 22. But by showing admirable tenacity in protecting their lead, they were able to frustrate LMH and drive play up the pitch. However, similar to the first half, it was the release of the pressure that allowed the score. Peter’s lost the ball while mauling in LMH’s half, and an excellent break saw Tom Murphy touch down to make the score 18-14 with just under ten minutes to play.
LMH sensed the possibility of completing a remarkable comeback which would keep their title challenge alive. They redoubled their efforts, but showing impressive resolve and character, Peter’s took the game to LMH, believing attack to be the best form of defence. Their strategy paid off, and they added a penalty with five minutes remaining to stretch the lead to 21-14.
This ended LMH’s second half heroics, and Peter’s played out the match with little alarm, adding another try at the death to make it 26- 14 and all but end LMH’s unlikely title challenge.
2nd Nov 2006