Spirited 2nds fight valiantly

This week saw the Kings Cross Steelers 3rd outfit travel down to Central Park for their Merit 6 West fixture. In a real rarity of this league both teams were able to at least start the match with 15 players (but more of that later!)

Exchanges were even for the first 15 minutes bar a penalty kick slotted by the Steelers in form kicker.

Despite the D’s being camped in the oppositions 22 for long periods of time unfortunately the Steelers used their pacey backs to add 3 scores against the run of play. It seemed at one point we could be on for another drumming like the previous week!

Dagenham held their cool though and finally got some just rewards for their efforts with Billy Kelly punching through the steelers defence to touch down before a quick penalty taken by Jason Lindsey meant he could add a score of his own as well!

Steelers managed another score just before the whistle. Half time score 22-10 to the Steelers.

The D’s came right out of the blocks after half time, Jack Andrews driving through for a score putting the home side within 7 points and pushing on.

Steelers broke away and scored before The D’s moved the ball wide to Kenny Fricker on the wing who fended off a couple of tackles to go over the line.

Both teams were evenly matched and going toe to toe however things then took an unfortunate turn for the hosts.

Through injury, exhaustion and players wanting to come off for a fag break Dagenham found themselves down to 12 players.

Jack Andrews (broken arm), Jonny Smith (now on crutches) and Kenny Fricker (CT scans and broken rib) were all able to share the petrol money up to Queens Hospital!

With the extra players Steelers were able to ship the ball wide and finish the hosts off.

However with 5 minutes to go Dagenham’s spirited 11 and a half players (Lumpy barely able to walk) kicked a penalty to the oppositions 5 meter line. Line out caught, a couple of pick and go’s then yours truly was able to dive for the line and use my go go gadget arm to reach for the try line. (For our younger players who don’t understand this reference please google “Inspector Gadget”)

Special mention to Emilio on his club debut making some good runs and hard tackles.

Thanks to everyone that pulled on a shirt. Some of who only came over to watch only to kit up to help out!

Team:
Middleton, Waller, Fricker, Newson, Hatch, Emilio, Andrews, Lindsey, Jack, Lumpy, Jonny Smith, Bill Smith, Jake Taylor, Riley, Yates, G Francis (Captain), Kelly

Tries:
Kelly, Lindsey, Andrews, Fricker, Newson

Conversions:
Lumpy x 1