After last weeks abandoned game a trip to Littlehampton was always going to be a tough call. They were relegated into our division last season and clearly one of the favourites to bounce back up again. Coupled with our recognised front rowers being largely unavailable it was down to messrs White, Miller, Hodson & Flower to deputise and take on the challenge that is a very experienced and heavy LA pack.

As ever I have completely forgotten/blurred the majority of play action, but do recall the scoring moments.
The first try was strait of the training astro... the pack drove in and up the field from a line-out about 40 yards out, after 5 or 6 phases of good recycled ball it was time to let the back line fly, a fine finish and first club try for our youngest addition Harry Pavis. Time Laker with the aid of mother nature slotted the conversion. A score of 0-7 after 16 minutes. Nick Miller (playing with broken fingers) was subbed and replaced by Roy Flower in the front row, taking the age of our front row to about 120!
More of the same followed and even more pressure was applied, this time it was Mooey who did his usual mole like attack on the try line. Tim once again added the 2 points to give us a 0-14 point lead after 30 minutes. Tim was slightly off when a penalty attempt hit the upright. This was shortly followed by PJ Harley having to leave the field with what has now been diagnosed as a fractured collar bone - on behalf of us all, we hope he has a full and speedy recovery - this was a crying shame as his impact on games of late has been huge. PJ was replaced by the effervescent Andy Finnis, much to Andy Whatley's delight!!!

Half time and the call within the huddle was for more of the same...

Second half and LA came looking for the game, sadly for them they were up against a wall of red. Some fierce and aggressive defensive work left LA with nothing. Paul Williams made way for Karl Jackson on the wing.
From a scrum about 40 metres out Jez picked up from the base and shot off down the short side (no pun intended!) and was followed by Sam Frankland (under the stewardship of the touchline committee!) only to be stopped just shy of the try line, the Norfolk pack arrived en masse and Jez was able to snipe over the line. Sadly Tim was unable to add the 2 as he was now taking on mother nature. 0-19 after 60 minutes.
The Norfolk kept the pressure on in both defence and attack. It was from more pressured defence work (pushing the line up as one, another from the training grounds) that Karl Jackson intercepted a LA pass and tore off for the try line which was 30 metres out, a clean pair of heels was enough. Tim once again was thwarted by MN. The score set at 0-24.
The last ten was very similar and again, Norfolk Arms didn't look like giving up at any point. Tyler White cam on at 70 minutes for Andy Finnis.

All in all, a wonderful team performance. Impossible to really call a man of the match as each and every player would put forward a genuine argument for the award. On a personal note, I am very impressed with the performance of the front row, playing against opposition that have surged together for over 10 years is testament to your character.
The training is hopefully paying off and the focus recently on the aggressive defence was evident to all.
Lets try to carry this great performance forward to St. Francis at home next Saturday and give the NOBs something to cheer about.

WELL DONE ALL