Match Report: AS THALES vs BRFC: 19-20

Great win guys, and a smashing way to send Tom off.

Thales are a good side, and are top of Division one for a good reason. Big physical pack, and their backs are not shabby at all, and it was interesting to see they played a quite similar game to us, aiming to go forward and when momentum stopped kicking for the corners.

But I think we played this one just right, took them on up front, held our own in the set pieces and I think actually dominated the loose game - add to that some pretty strong defence and it was always going to be a close game, and the difference really was we wanted it more on a pretty miserable November day.

Highlights of the match were the two cracking try's, the first our trade mark kick chase involving Sam hacking on from a kick into space for Tom to touch down under the post - I think we have scored one of these in almost every game? And the second a wonderful counter attack from within our own 22 started by Austen, who offloaded to Paul who took it on strongly to then link with Lauren who unselfishly took a huge hit to put Tom away for a run in from about 40 meters out - two try's on your last game is a pretty great send off.

All in all a good performance, lot's of guys having good games, Jon putting his body and future generations on the line, had a storming game, as did Fred and Paul Baker both tackling like strongly and working hard in the loose at the breakdown and on the carry. Another Strong game from Colum at 13, who showed good communication in attack and defence and kicked really well from both hand and the ground. Laurent and Sam both had strong games on the wings, good under the high ball and willing to counter attack. Mark showed good form at 9, but it was Tom who took man of the match starting at 9 then moving to 10 he had an exceptional game in both attack and defence.

Past that I won't go into too much detail here, but all in all it was a pretty good performance from everyone involved in the match day squad, and more then anything else the team spirit shown by 25-30 guys, who didn't even know each other four months ago, both on and off the field on Saturday was fantastic.

well done lads, very pleased with everyone.