By Maverick

Webb Ellis Woe

A cold and eerie night descended upon us as we all assembled at the Heathcote to get on the coach. Would we really play tonight, after nearly 2 months of rain and cancellations? Terry Ford appeared and announced "It's on!" - Yes! ... Upon our arrival at Rugby Town's ground Webb Ellis Road that Town shares with their rugby-playing landlords Rugby Lions, we were greeted by some officials who said, "you haven't lost yet have you? - Well, not until tonight!" What a nice greeting!

As the club started to fill, once again with the Gold & Black, we began to wonder when Rugby's reported huge support would materialise? It never did! Whether this was because the match was switched from the NWG at short notice due to the unplayable surface at football's Mecca, or because the Rugby fans can only make it to the weekend games is anyone's guess? Suffice to say that LFC had approximately 150 fans in the ground, whereas RTFC had around the 80 mark!

The match started briskly, with Brakes dominant in all departments, not a bad showing really when one considers the fact that Rugby had had much more recent competitive match action than us. Baga went close with a header and Josh, struggling to regain his early season form also went within a whisker of putting Brakes one-up. Baz Shearsby was then 'hammered' by a Town player with 10 minutes of the opening period to go. The referee however, chose to do nothing!

Forty minutes gone and the travelling North Bank had started to disband and make their way to the bar for a welcome HT warmer! But then Jon Burgess burst down the left, sent over a beautiful cross, only for Josh to miss with his outstretched boot, with the net gaping. The resulting move saw Josh and Baga involved in a goalmouth scramble with the latter being somewhat unfortunate to have his effort cleared off the line. Half time came and went with the Brakes support all puzzling as to why Rugby were top of our league?

Straight from the re-start however, Town scored with a run from the half way line, and a scrappy goal. They all count though! Baz Shearsby was then substituted, with Guy Rippon and Liam McGovern following shortly afterwards as a result of Rugby increasing the physical part of their game. Rugby scored a second killer goal just after the hour as Brakes began to look tired. It was good to see 2 of our Academy coming on for their first team debut's, and Academy keeper Morris looked quite good at centre half!!! Well done Cadzy for giving them the opportunity of playing in a game that Rugby would win at any cost! It seemed that Town had 12 players on the pitch, with one of them wearing black! Never mind though, the match showed that our support was still there, even after a long lay off. I also feel sure that things will be different when we meet Rugby Town again in the more important matter of our two league encounters, when Brakes will have had a little more match practise.