Styles Make Fights

As the saying goes ‘styles make fights’ and an Old Bedians vs Pendle fixture is a game that is always sure to entertain; both teams have a healthy mix of skill, strength and intent whilst also a healthy/competitive rivalry of each other meaning the game is always one spectators can enjoy. Pendle took the spoils at their place with a last minute pushover try and Bede’s were quite keen to return the favour in kind at Millgate Lane.

With more preparation going into the game than D-Day courtesy of the most bizarre league fixtures in all of Christendom, where games come along as regularly as Halley’s Comet, Bede’s were understandably eager to get out of the blocks and get stuck in. From the outset Bede’s were able to put Pendle under pressure with the forwards able to make yards through the middle and outside centre Vince Betty creating havoc out wide. The dominant field position saw some infringements from the Pendle pack with Bede’s unable to capitalise through penalty kicks in very difficult kicking conditions. After another scoring chance infringement Rob Naughton was able to calmly slot one over, Bede’s hit the lead.

Pendle, however, are riding high this season and as it seems to go with teams in this position confidence means they will make you pay for any mistakes, and two errors saw Pendle over for two tries. It’s worth commenting on their first through their scrum half; a quality run which beat several would be tacklers and finished off with one of the best hand offs I’ve ever seen. Fair play.

Just before half time the Pendle were penalised for another ruck infringement, rather than subject Naughton to another pressure penalty kick the captain turned to his pack with a tap. Leading off was Richard ‘Larry’ Thompson an absolute workhorse of the pack, followed up by strong runs from Mike Tarling and Pat Willis and finished by evergreen Ali Webly driving over from close range. A well-deserved reward for their efforts. 10 -10 at the break.

The second half played out much as the first. A bright bit of news was the re-emergence of Rob Oliver from the bench. Bede’s were able to control the game well - new scrum half James Gaffney acquitting himself well in organising the attack and new flanker Tom Kitchener outstanding in all areas. Defensively the rotating backrow of Tristian Punnett, Eley and sub Davis made some strong tackles. True to form though luck was not with Old Bedians and any errors were capitalised on by Pendle, their scrum half finishing with a hatrick robbing Bede’s of possession on two separate occasions, his second try with a chip and chase only just shaded by his first effort. While the third after a somewhat dubious call from the linesman where a ball clearly in touch was not given and the scrum half raced 60 metres downfield for a try. Was it a try, clearly not. Should you always play to the ref’s whistle, yes.

Bede’s went straight back at Pendle and Rob Oliver showed his class to ghost through the opposition only to be adjudged as held up. From the ensuing scrum Bede’s were able to get the score they deserved with lanky fly half Mike Gallagher using his six foot frame to his advantage to stretch over from a few metres out. With minutes remaining Bede’s threw everything at Pendle who once again swooped on a turnover caused despite a heroic attempt to take a bad pass only to cop a proper beating by Ben Owen, a certain try stopped by an enormous tackle from Kitchener which caused a crucial turnover. Unfortunately Bede’s couldn’t find another score in the closing seconds and found themselves again on the wrong side of a tight scoreline. A superb effort lads, if we keep it up our luck will turn.