Park See Red as Dukes Defy The Odds!

Over the past weeks there has been something brewing in the Dukes, maybe Special’s unwashed kit, maybe Scott’s new beard, maybe even the Aussie’s use of Strawberry smelling fabric softener on their kit, we’re not quite sure. But after an elongated summer for some, a Win against Wasps IIs and a stellar performance against Scottish “4’s” the lack of training and extended summer of drinking appeared to have been shaken off and the Dukes have been playing some good rugby.

This weekend presented a tough opposition with the arrival of top of the table and undefeated Rosslyn Park. Never ones to shy from a contest the Dukes, most of whom surprisingly arrived early for the already pre-emptive early meet time, immediately set about psyching themselves up in the changing rooms with a rousing rendition of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline”. A brief but thorough warm up followed and although “Their (Rosslyn Park) warm up looks far more professional….they are doing grids” with a record crowd in support (thanks largely due to new offspring in the off season) the Dukes were ready for kick off.

Having played Park a number of times the Dukes were aware of their strengths and, whilst execution is key, the game plan was simple; Slow the ball, frustrate them in the forwards, tackle tackle tackle and play the game in their half. True to form Park started brightly, shipping the ball quickly through the hands, running hard and direct in the backs and earned themselves an early penalty (0-3 Park), an early warning to the Dukes. The warning was headed and the response almost instant with a Tim Gibb try. The Dukes pressure continued throughout the first half with the forwards in control, the backline repelling everything Park threw at them and overall defence immense led by example from Herr Studt, drawing “Ooos” from even opposition for some hits. The Try of the game, a true team try, coming from a 13 man driving maul from the 22 with ~10 minutes left on the clock (19-3 to Cornish), the only forward not involved Tom, who was waiting for “The pop”. There was time for one final score on the stroke of half time, following a turnover 10 out, the ball was popped to Timm Gibb with no defenders to beat for his first half Hatrick.

With a large squad, boosted by the return of a couple of Dukes old guard, and after a huge first half effort the changes were rung at half time in search of fresh and in some cases simply old legs…with one message: More of the same! The changes also saw the return of Steve, allowing the Ginger Twins at prop for the first time in 3 years. Full credit to Park here who didn’t let their heads down and came out gunning again from the whistle and put the Dukes under immediate pressure. Having discussed at the break wanting to play the game in the right areas, clearing when in our 22 etc etc all received a huge surprise when Rich received the ball from a turn over deep in our 22 and immediately decided to run…. more surprising than seeing a prop run was he not only make it out of the 22 but all the way to Parks! (Many won’t believe this but fortunately it was caught on camera. https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/londoncornishrfc/videos/rich-fisher-the-winger--lcrfc-60692.html.) The “frustrate them in the forwards” was working and with 10 to go their skip was shown a straight red, not one to let his team mates be bullied (and following on from the lung busting run) Rich opted to join him on yellow for a well earned rest. Specific mention here to Jimbo and Ben for stepping out of their usual position on the wing to play flanks.

Final Score (36-13) A great team performance and well earned victory for the Dukes, one to be built on in the coming weeks.

Team: Rich, Tom, Matt, Charlie, Mike, Kev T, Phil, Tim, Wheels, Parso, Dave, Ronan, Bob, Ed, James, Ben, Brendan, Ged, Jimbo, Dix, Beeby