Mens Own 12 S&L 3

S&L knew that the trip to Ashton was going to be a difficult game, following on from Mens Owns disappointment at Towcester last week, and so it proved as S&L produced their worst performance of the season.

Mens Own forwards took the game to S&L, did the basics right, and out muscled the S&L eight, their back row were also a yard quicker to the breakdown.
Mens Own game plan revolves around the catch and drive; this works well and put S&L under pressure.

S&L looked edgy as the game started, making unforced errors, and turning over the ball too easily, however as they settled and won some ball, the backs looked as though they might profit, however the availability of good ball would prove to be in short supply, all afternoon.
Pressure on the S&L 22 produced a try for Mens Own, which was added to 5 mins later when they again went through the midfield, to take a 12/0 lead.

S&L hit back with a Kirk Lindsay penalty on the half time whistle.

Second half S&L tried to get their game going, but were not winning any lineout ball at all, and when John Robson had a 10 min rest their lineout options were even more limited.

With the dominance of the lineout and quicker to the breakdown Mens Own kicked for position deep into S&L territory and invited S&L to score from deep, this they failed to do, and the game petered out with Mens Own claiming the points.
Having been beaten by a better side on the day, S&L will need to regroup for the visit of Banbury next week.

S&L2 27 Mens Own2 12

Trys from Dave Gilmour 2, Ian Hanson 1, Alec Morgan 1 plus a con and pen, and a Gary Mitchell con, saw S&L home in a closely fought encounter.

3rds lost at Mens Own 19/7 Stuart Scott try and Mark Williams conversion