Sat 20 Aug 2022, 15:00
A bright start for the first family fun, testimonial, pre-season game and testimonial game to celebrate Rob Aylesey retiring from rugby after playing for many years for both Sharnbrook and Queens.
Sharnbrook with a short kick-off, resetting for a Queens scrum ball. Queens working hands through a couple of phases to find a gap round the outside, scoring a Try with successful conversion 0-7 (3’). Reset and Sharnbrook with the kick, Queens playing through the phases but Sharnbrook holding strong in defence winning the turnover. An unfortunate knock on by Sharnbrook giving Queens the ball who kick for touch, calling an end to the first quarter (20’).
Time back on and Queens dominating the line outs so far, finding their backs over several phases and finding the space, breaking through the Sharnbrook defence to score a second Try no conversion 0-12 (22’). Sharnbrook with the restart and strong chase down, Queens gathering and working through the phases but Sharnbrook holding strong in defence, forcing the error by Queens and Sharnbrook winning the penalty (25’). A strong kick into touch by Sharnbrook and a Sharnbrook lineout, wind gusting around, making it difficult for Sharnbrook #2 Bonas to find his mark and an unfortunate knock on for a Queens scrum. Queens again working through the phases to eventually find the space round the outside to score a third Try with successful conversion 0-19 (30’). Sharnbrook with the unfortunate restart and kicked straight into touch, coming back for a Queens scrum. Queens playing through hands from the scrum and working hard round the outside finding the gap on the wing to score under the posts, Try and conversion 0-26 (36’). Sharnbrook with the restart, Queens gathering and again running through the phases but Sharnbrook holding strong forcing the knock on, Sharnbrook ball. #10 Allen with a successful 50-22 kick to give Sharnbrook the line out. Once again Queens dominating the line out with the steal, Queens return with the kick down field and the knock on bringing the first half to a close (40’).
Second half and Sharnbrook playing downhill, Queens with the kick, Sharnbrook gathering but with a strong chase by Queens, driving Sharnbrook into touch, Queens line out. Queens winning the line out and running through the phases, Sharnbrook getting of the line a little too quick, resetting for an offside penalty to Queens who kick and find touch over on the left side. Queens winning the line out, but hitting the Sharnbrook defence, working through the phases and hands Queens again manage to find the space round the outside to score a Try in the right and corner. Try no conversion 0-31 (44’). Sharnbrook #8 Bliss coming off with an ankle injury. Sharnbrook with the restart, Queens gathering but Sharnbrook with the turnover at the ruck. Sharnbrook playing through the phases and tackled into touch,
Queens lineout. Line out not straight, Sharnbrook’s ball, scrum down. Sharnbrook with the strong scrum, and the kick down field but returned by Queens and into touch for a Sharnbrook lineout. Queens once again with the steel at the line out, driving hard through the phases to find the try line. Try and conversion 0-38 (51’). Sharnbrook with the restart, Queens gathering and running hard down the far side braking through but #7 Lipner with a huge tackle knocking Queens into touch. Sharnbrook lineout but again stolen by Queens who find space and brake through but with the knock on just short of the try line bringing an end to the 3rd Quarter (60’).
Sharnbrook scrum, but Queens stealing as the ball comes out the side. Queens quickly whipping the ball out to the wing to find the try line. Try no conversion 0-43 (62’). Sharnbrook with the restart, Queens working hard to break down the Sharnbrook defence, but they hold strong making Queens work through the phases and forcing the error with a knock on, Sharnbrook ball. Sharnbrook with the quick ball, playing through several strong phases, Queens quick defence beating Sharnbrook to the ruck and turning the ball over. Queens once again playing simple rugby through the phases to find space and the try line in the 73rd minute. Try no conversion 0-50 (73’). Sharnbrook with the restart and strong chase down, Queens gathering and with the quick ruck speed, playing through the phases. Sharnbrook doing their best to hold them off in the dying minutes, but Queens manage to find a little gap in the final seconds to score their 9th try. Try and conversion 0-55 (80’) calling an end to the game.
Even with a friendly against a team several leagues above a good game was had by all and Sharnbrook coming away from their first friendly game of the season with some good areas to focus on.
Final Score 0-55
