I am getting
fed up of saying this, but once again, the Old Boys turned in one of their best
performances of the season to defeat one of their local arch enemies.  Lets face
it - it kind of has a good feeling that we beat them!!!!   This was also coupled
with the fact that the conditions were freezing but both sides managed to produce
some good running rugby and made for an entertaining spectacle, as well as having
the best referee the 2nd team has had this season.

In the first half the Old Boys played with the slope and the wind, and it was quite clear from
the outset that it was going to be a war of attrition between the 2 packs.  Their
front row was very experienced with their tight head prop George Heyd - Smith having
been a veteran of 1st and 2nd team rugby for at least 30 years.  He was up against  new young pup Simon Barnes who is enjoying his first regular spell in the 2nd team.  In the scrums, there was nothing to choose, but it was in the lineouts and backs that the Old Boys were superior.  

Once again, P.J was fantastic in the lineouts and Martin "Jim  Brannan" Kirby was very accurate with his lineout throws.  The backs began to put some moves together with Fuckers and "Brain of Britain" Craddock pulling the strings.  It has to be said (and I hate to say it!!!!!) but Keating at scrum-half had an excellent game , making some telling breaks , particularly from tap penalties which had the opposition defence reeling and struggling to cope.  This became none more so evident than when their scrum half deliberately tripped
a supporting player when Keating made a break that he was sin-binned for 10 minutes.  

Shortly before that, the backs made a telling break with Keith Finson scooting up the blindside with "Black prince" in support.  But foolishly he never released the ball to the winger at the vital moment, and a try went begging.

Composure also let us down at the vital moment as we had at least 2 chances for kickable
penalties, but we chose to run it in an effort to score tries, but this was the wrong decision, despite players like; Frosty ,Danny Saunders and Ainsley making big dents in their defence.  But sure enough, pressure always leads to points and with 25 minutes gone the forwards were close to the rushden line and were looking
after the ball.  At the telling moment, Frosty the dullard made the break from 8 yards out and managed to score despite the attentions of some defenders.  The conversion was missed but the Old Boys were on their way.  Rushden certainly did not give in, and they also tested the Old Boys defence with some good running and
probing kicks by their fly half.  But they were met by some fierce defending particularly
from Donks and Jamie "Magic Torch" Raines who was playing out of position at centre.  As the half wore on, it looked more likely that they would not score before half time, and Rushden began to loose composure and tempers began
to fray.  This only served to make the Old Boys more determined to shut them out.  However, handling the ball due to the cold conditions sometimes proved difficult for the backs, none more so than for Carl Hanley who basically could not catch a bleeding cold all game - useless git!!!!!   Although things changed for him in
Saturdays game against St. Neots! With 10 minutes to go, Rushden infringed again near their line, and this time the right decision was made and Keith Finson slotted it over to make it 8 - 0

The 2nd half started and Rushden had the wind and slope, and wasted no time in pinning
us in the corner in the first minute.  This was quickly repelled, and the Old Boys went straight back down the field with great kicking, wonderful back play and once again, the forwards as a unit who were absolutely magnificent  As Rushden tried to rebuild phases, their fly half knocked it on deep in their 22.  The scrum was
awarded, the opposition infringed and we were awarded a penalty.  It was a difficult
kick, and against the wind but Finson slotted it with some ease to stretch us out
to an  11 - 0 lead.  This really meant that Rushden had to really pile on the pressure. Both teams made some substitutions but desperation began to set in for Rushden.  Take nothing away from them - they played very well and put us under a lot of pressure, but we managed to keep them at bay.  Old Boys backs proved a constant
threat and often got across the gain line which was a delight for everyone to see.  There was an opportunity for us to score but they infringed, another penalty was awarded, and Fison slotted that over to make it 14 - 0

Into the last quarter, and Rushden really did pile on the pressure.  The defence was awesome, but a moment of  pathetic petulance from Postman Fat Pat Payne meant that for 10 minutes, we played with 14 men.  Amazingly, we managed to hold out for a famous win.  Once again it was not just the win, but the manner in which we performed.  
Everybody played well apart from "Girly Gloves" who could not catch a thing - only joking!!!!!  Players in for particular praise were Frosty,
Fuckers, Donks , Danny Saunders and "Jailbird" Ainsley.  
I would also like to take this opportunity to also thank the subs (the ones that
played as well as the ones that didn't) and the supporters considering the very cold weather conditions.