The 2XV boys were in action at Hughenden mid October aganst West of Scotland. Having won their league early doors last year Cahoon and Gareth’s team were set for a hard season this year. The loss of a number of players, including a few heading on up to the first team has hit the 2’s hard, they’ve put in a good showing this year but are struggling with the standard. Playing in the top 2XV league they are excelling their 1XV counterparts, and playing against teams of a similair standard to those in Prem 2/3 – so say the crowds.
The frustration of constant squad changes isn’t something to rattle King Cahoon, however, laid back as ever, verging on horizontal at points, the silver bullet has kept his boys heads up and there has been some good rugby on show.
Without the luxury of an actual match report to nab bits from this will be an assortment of remembereds. There was some good interplay in the backs, some strong running breaking the West line, but a lack of sharpness in support meant little was made of these chances. The back row did well through the middle of the game, strong in the contact, and running with the backs, however with some slow distribution the sharper West defensive line were able to smother any Hills possession.
Special mentions this week to Orange Boots(Oh my! Just like in the first blog? Well, the same but different. Different man, different boots, different skills…same colour?) well done to Smiley Scott Busby who looked dangerous in attack, running some good lines, gaining ground, and tireless in defence, kept his head up when some others seemed to have given in. Also a mention to Cammy Hogg, returning from injury to the back row, who ran his little socks off, looked dangerous off the back of the line out and out running with the backs, back to full fitness he’ll be a dangerous asset in this league.
Awards this week, from King Cahoon the Chosen One is Andrew Jebowski, the guy who looks like Richard Nixon…who played well and consistently, covering some positional changes and saving a few points with his relentless last line of defence. Ladies Choice, from special guest lady, who was, it must be said, not terribly impressed with the performance as a whole, was Carlos the speedy winger, who put some good pressure on the West back 3, but didn’t have much opportunity with ball in hand.
All in all, not a great result, but some flashes of good rugby. It’d be good to see a bit more support down for the 2XV, they’re holding the fort in a very hard league this year, in the unfortunate position of being subject to smash and grab raids on their squad when the firsts are struggling – Granty does the smashing, Keithy does the grabbing…quite a team really.
So get your bahookies down to watch the 2XV if you’re not keen for being travelling support, introduce yourself to King Cahoon, buy him a drink, and you may get a free match analysis session in the bar post match in his dulcit Irish tones. You don’t have to listen, just let the Irishness lull you.
