Team effort pushes Men's 1s to outstanding victory

Our Men's 1s arrived at todays game bouyed by a good performance last time out at Sunderland and England's morning rugby heroics. However they knew they faced a stern test against a Uni 3s team that always presents a strong challenge, especially in the light of the absence of 3 regulars, and Cockerill and Waterhouse's struggles with the alarm clock!

An even start proceeded, with both teams looking for openings. Jesmond struck first through Captain Duffy, Stenhouse with the cross and Heyward with the assist. Although the uni continued to press 1 quickly became two, Craig playing a penetrating through ball that Robbo reached before their keeper, Stephen's lifted finish too much for him to handle. The closing spell of the half was marked by strong pressure from the Uni forwards, with a series of short corners repelled by a combination of saves from goalkeeper and defenders alike. Whilst our possession was always put under pressure, the back 4 did a fine job of retaining the ball, Baker and Nicholson in the middle calmly distributing with robust support from Allen and Basta in the full back positions.

The half time team talk focussed on the positives and the need to start strongly, anticipating the response to the game situation from our student neighbours. And the response did come, a period of pressure finally leading to a goal to make it 2-1 and putting the overall result into question. But the response of the Jesmond players was superb, better composure in possession, clear decision making in defense and a couple of quality finishes making the difference in the closing stages. First Captain Duffy ignoring the plaintive cries of Robbo imploring the left slip to strike powerfully, low into the bottom right hand corner. Then the move and goal of the game and early contender for goal of the season. Steve Allen with the aerial, (ignoring the desire of some to slow the play down) from the left back channel, finding Robertson up to who proceeds to skin his defender inside then out before firing a rocket finish in off the crossbar.

The final score 4-1, a 5-way split for man of the match votes between Allen, Robertson, Duffy, Nicholson and Greenshields reflective of what a team effort this was.

Uni 3s defeated, just like England we need to refocus on next week's challenge, the Uni 2s!