South go down to slick Dudley

Although South went down to play off contenders Dudley Kingswinford the visitors were in no doubt that they were involved in a tough physical encounter as the blood replacements seemed to indicate. If it wasn’t for two very late tries the margin would have been closer and more reflective of the fight displayed by another much changed South side.
South had Kris McFedries and top try scorer Sam Greasley missing through injury while thirteen other 1st XV players were on the long term injury list or unavailable. Well done to those who turned up, played for and with their mates.
Steve Martin was drafted onto the wing with Mitch Culpin playing out of position at scrum half. Mark Bayley, Darren Sharpe and Lewis Moult made up the bench.

South started brightly and with a sweeping move scored first through Connor Smith. Mark Lord converted. They had further chances to increase the lead which unfortunately came to nothing. Lewis Moult entered the game early doors to replace Kieran Collins who joined the ever increasing injury list. Dudley responded with the equalising score and conversion after a dodgy line out. They increased their lead by half time with a penalty, although Lord was wide with a penalty of his own.

Half Time South 7 Dudley 10 points.

South put a great of effort into establishing their momentum in the first half which was immediately undone by an early Dudley converted score. On the hour they struck again to take the score to 7-22 in the visitors favour.
South at this stage were still in the game and attacking when they had quick ball. Unfortunately, there was no cutting edge and the swarming Dudley defence mopped up possession, turned defence into attack and scored two very late tries to take the game and a bonus point.

Dudley are a very good side and it was obvious to see how they have scored so many tries and gained the resulting bonus points. We wish them luck in the play off game versus Rossendale next Saturday.
They paid South the ultimate complement by sending their strongest team to play backed by a horde of supporters which swelled the attendance to around the 300 mark.
It was also good to see Dave and Richard Paddick up from Blackheath.

For South Mike March was his usual supercharged self, taking the game to the visitors at every opportunity, closely followed by Wes Cartwright, Aaron Langan and Stu Bale. Gareth Clarke , however, was my man of the match for some great runs from full back to try and break out of defence and threaten.

It was a disappointing end to the season as this game could have been the play off deciding game if South had been more consistent and not dropped points on their travels. As it is it’s the best finish to a level five league campaign ever with the highest number of victories, the least number of defeats and another County Cup triumph. If only the three draws………….!

Team: Clarke, Martin (Sharpe), Smith, Keeling, Collins (Moult), Lord, Culpin, March, Johnson, Cartwright, Bale S, Langan, McNaughton, Coltman ©, Harris (Bayley)

Man of the Match: Gareth Clarke

Long term injured: Kyle Coltman, Rikki Aley, Chris Bale, Jack Hague, Max Castrogiovanni, Nick Griffin.

In response to the programme notes.

For us retired teachers life is now one long holiday and I’ll see you next season when I’ll try not to go AWOL.
For the two teachers in the South side they need as much holiday as they can get!