4:39pm Monday 8th March 2010
By Trevor Newnham
ON a miserable and cold afternoon, struggling HSBC pulled off a shock win over an uninspired Vigo outfit.
With the crowd initially buzzing about the recent car bombing in this sleepy village, their interest was not aroused any more by events on the field as the two sides indulged in a turgid first half.
Two gilt-edged try scoring opportunities were spurned by the Villagers through poor communication and passing.
HSBC also missed a couple of eminently kickable penalties but were generally forced onto the back foot by Vigo’s pack.
Injuries disrupted the flow of the game, with players seemingly falling to the ground every five minutes.
There was more of the same in the second half, less the try scoring opportunities.
Vigo camped deep in HSBC territory for almost the whole of the second half, but the Bank’s defence, although sorely tested, never broke.
The importance of kicking was doubly underlined as Vigo missed three easy kicks at goal, which would surely have been despatched by either of their front line kickers who were sadly unavailable.
Their deputies, understandably rusty, were unable to convert any of the three penalties.
Alas, for the Vigo, HSBC had one chance in the second half a penalty kick at goal - which Ned Taylor managed to slot over.
With minutes to go, Vigo mounted one last raid and gained a penalty kick themselves, which was close but not between the posts.
The whistle was probably a blessed relief for players and spectator alike.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/trade_directory/