Pythons too Strong for Sheffield Medics
The Pythons welcomed Sheffield Medics to Station View for their last game of the year. “The Medics are a skilful and well drilled side and cause oppositions big problems with their pace and running lines,” said Dan Bird before the game,” We’ll use our strength up front, especially in the set piece, to gain ground. We have the same starting backline as last week so that will give them something to think about,” he added.
Will Clough’s well placed box kick put the students under pressure from the off. A hurried clearance kick gave the Pythons a line out on the 22 catching the away side off side in the midfield. Clough kicked the penalty, 0-3 (1min). From the restart, the Pythons forwards and backs combined will and Jon Pickard spotted a chink of light in the Medics defense to score the opening try, converted by Clough. 10-0 (4 mins). Jed Carr’s clearance from the kick-off saw The Pythons once again steal line out ball and set their phases up in midfield. Strong running from Tim Evans and Dan Shortman moved the gain line closer to the away team’s try line but a knock-on gave the students a scrum on their own 22. Scrum penalty to The Pythons was pushed just wide.
The Pythons continued with the pressure with Carr making decisive breaks from his preferred position at 10, supported by Matt Leach and Like Price-Gerrard. A knock-on with the line beckoning gave the away side a scrum 10m from their line. A successful strike was cancelled out as The Python’s pack drove over the ball with Clough practising his Christmas dancing skills to cross the line and add the extras 0-17 (35mins).
A Pythons penalty once again put the students on their 5m line. Not straight and the students elect for a scrum driven back again with The Pythons winning the ball at the resulting ruck and Will Butler powering over 0-22 half time.
With the conditions worsening little ground was made by both sides. A scrum 10m out gave The Pythons the chance to set their controlled phases up once again with Ed Challis and Joe Bentham carrying well. With a successful ruck just short of the try line, Hugh Tatlow proved too strong driving over the line and Clough adding the extras. 0 – 29 (60 mins).
Continued pressure in the 22 gave Rob Cooper an opportunity to place a perfectly weighted kick within 5m of the try line, Steve Lennox first to the ball picking up and driving though the defence to touch down, 0 – 34 full time.
A solid win for the Pythons, which sees them climb to 3rd place in the table.