Old Blues vs Streatham and Croydon

The Old Blues resumed league duties away at Streatham & Croydon on Saturday. The day looked set for a cracking match between two old rivals on a clear day and on a miraculously well maintained pitch. However, the game got off to a scrappy start and pretty much stayed that way for the rest of the half as both sides kicked, scrambled and failed to put any real shape on the game. The highlight of the half came when the Blues managed to combine well in midfield and run in a try after 25mins. This should have settled the Blues but they still seemed strangely incoherent as a unit and the half time whistle came (mercifully for those watching) after another 15mins of headless chicken stuff with the score reading 7-0. Some harsh words at half time appeared to get the Blues fired up and the second half did indeed seem to be played with a little more structure by both sides. The Blues managed to keep the scoreboard ticking over with a penalty kick. However the Blues still seemed strangely lifeless until Alex Demenis was sin binned for showing one of the S&C flankers his shiny new studs. This appeared to give the Blues the kick in the ass they needed and the S&C line was unlocked once more with some astute kicking by Weeksie who chipped over the S&C line to put Kobby through. The result was sealed when some good pressure in defence saw the Blues win a turnover in the middle of the park and Mike Weeks run in for the Old Blues’ third try with about 15 mins remaining. However the home side were clearly intent on getting back into the game and were maybe a little unlucky not to go over themselves, making a couple of good breaks and getting caught about 10m short. The final 10 saw the S&C boys throw everything at us but the Blues managed to hold firm and the final whistle went with the score line reading 24-0 to the Blues. To be brutally honest, it was a lethargic and rusty performance from the Old Blues with the only positive being our defence in the last 10 mins. Accordingly the HdM tankard was awarded to the result as no one was deemed to deserve it. Although I think TC was just jealous that he wasn’t playing….