Sat 3 Sep 2022
First league game of the season, Rushden with the kick-off, gathered by Sharnbrook and a knock on, setting up for a Rushden scrum. Both teams holding strong in the scrum, Rushden playing through the phases until conceding a penalty for a double movement. Sharnbrook penalty and a kick to touch, resetting for a Sharnbrook line out. Sharnbrook winning the line out, playing through a number of phases before getting turned over by Rushden, giving Rushden the penalty and opting to kick, first score of the game 0-3 to Rushden (6’). Max McGrellis coming off injured. Resetting, Sharnbrook with the restart and a strong chase down and gathered by Sharnbrook working hard to the try line, getting penalised for a double movement on the try line giving Rushden a penalty, kicking to touch. Rushden line out off the top and Tom Dalton successfully turning over the ball, giving Sharnbrook a penalty, James Paull with the kick and first points on the board for Sharnbrook 3-3 (11’). Rushden with the restart and kick returned, Rushden working through phases and down the wing, Greg Hicks with a try saving tap tackle and Rushden continuing through the phases, Sharnbrook conceding a penalty, Rushden deciding to kick for points again and missing. Sharnbrook with the restart kick, gathered by Rushden and managing to evade tackles to find the try line, try and conversion 3-10 (20’). Sharnbrook restart and bouncing into touch, Rushden line out and kicked away, gathered and kick returned with strong line speed and pressure forcing knock on by Rushden. Sharnbrook tap and go, finding space and Alex Jafarifar finding the try line, scores equal again with a successful conversion 10-10 (30’). Rushden restart, gathered and ran by Sharnbrook up the field, Rushden with a high tackle and yellow card. Quick penalty taken and played hands to the wing to fine Will McGrellis falling short of the try line but finding an off load to Paddy to score the try, Try and conversion 17-10 (35’). Rushden restart and the turn over, moving the ball wide but getting dragged into touch. Line out stolen and ran wide again by Rushden finding space outside, Try Rushden no conversion 17-15 (40’).
Second half and Sharnbrook restart, Rushden kick away before conceding penalty for not rolling away. Sharnbrook kick finding touch, Sharnbrook line out and ball ripped away by Rushden. Sharnbrook caught offside conceding a penalty, Rushden kicking for points again 17-18 (46’). Restart and Rushden conceding penalty for holding on to the ball. Sharnbrook working phases finding space outside, knocking the ball on at the try line. Rushden kick to find touch and the line out, Sharnbrook getting sucked in leaving space, Rushden with the try no conversion 17-23 (52’). Restart and Rushden working through the phases, Sharnbrook defence holding strong, Rushden knocking the ball on 2 yards short. Jack Symonds reading the game, taking the penalty quick, going himself, Tom Dalton in support to finally score the try traveling the full length of the pitch. Try and conversion 24-23 (62’). Rushden restart and gathered, Toby Prowse with a high tackle and yellow card. Rushden penalty, kicking for points 24-26 (65’). Sharnbrook restart, Rushden running through the phases, Sharnbrook holding strong in defence before conceding a penalty. Sharnbrook not dropping ten quick enough, Rushden taking the penalty quickly finding the try line on the outside. Try and conversion 24-33 (79’). Restarting for the final phase of the match before the whistle. Full time
