The difference between this time and last time was the pack, for the majority of the game, we were outmuscled and struggling to hold Sheffield, and when you're on the back foot then life ain't easy. When i say "pack", Sheffield do have the big lads at the back too and because their team was making inroads that meant there were many chances for Yere and Co to hit the defensive line at speed. That made it a contest.
With Sidlow and Kavanagh off we were seriously lacking . To me, that will be at the front of Rohan's thinking, I'm sure he knows that the foundation of any good team in this league is a big, mean pack that comes out on top.
On the plus side, some of our kicking (I'll ignore missing touch) was a real treat to watch, Sheffield were at times mesmerised, and I love that off-the-cuff stuff, but especially when you're good enough to make it come off 8 times out of 10.
Also, despite being outmuscled, we dug in, gritted our teeth, and got the job done. Despite an infuriating effort from the ref and his touchies, who as we won I can state were maddeningly random and inconsistent. I actually quite rate the ref, he shows promise, and has a calm style, but when he watches the video he'll think it wasn't one of his better days.
A win's a win, even though it's a disgrace we were ever in the sellling plate, we have some welcome cash (including from a decent all-pay crowd) and let's hope it is enough to keep the wolf from the door.
On the minus side, Green suggested we should get to the ground early, and spend with the Bulls rather than outside the ground. So i did. I made my way to our allotted shrine behind the stand, and ordered a pie and a pint. "Sorry sir, no pies". Why not? Some feeble excuse that made no sense. What is this? A Final, and we can't even get some fscking pies in? I thought that was pretty bad - until I sat down and the lady on our table said they didn't even have any crisps. "Shambles" isn't the word.
Anyway, that's this dire season done, finishing to me on a (relatively high note:
a) we're still here (if only just)
b) we now at last have the backbone of a half-decent squad and promising juniors
c) we won something. It may be shoite, but it is, apparently, our first trophy for 10 years. So I'll drink to that, and to next season, where if we can sort out how to finance it, we could be a whole lot better.
