This was a game that could so easily have been a vastly different story, if the young Teries had applied themselves through 80 minutes as they did in the last 20. It took a skirmish on the pitch, and some handbags off it, to waken the Force from a slumbering first hour where too many tackles were missed and insufficient ferocity was shown. Kyle Brunton kicked sensibly and the front row scrummaged hard but in most other aspects the lads took an hour to get going. They were not helped by an injury to young prospect Ewart Cameron to a highish tackle within the first 5 seconds, indeed the match was bookended by injuries as mercurial outside half and Abba fan Cian Riddell was carted after another highish collision from an opponent with the last play. Throughout Mathew King was as immense as anyone can be at 4 foot 8 inches but other than a penalty from Brunton and a deserved try by Aidan ‘the tanker’ Fairbairn there was no other scoring by the home side despite plenty of opportunities. Brodie Graham showed up well in the backs with the strong running technique he has taught to his brother whilst Ben Swailes was again a very willing soldier in the mud of every breakdown.
Girn is a four-letter word, but we don’t mind seeing it used at Mansfield Haugh. Perhaps next time we can show the city slickers it from first whistle to last and get the victory our abilities deserve.
Man of the match today, however, was Andrew Boles. His dedication to the Force lads throughout dealing with two serious injuries and a wide range of other ones was an example to all. He acted very quickly to spot the serious nature of Cian’s head injury, stabilised him, and lay on the grass for 30 minutes with the stricken player to maintain his head position until the blue lights arrived. Ably, and gratefully, assisted by Dr Morag Robertson (there is nobody better in such a situation) these medics were dedicated, attentive, knowledgeable and correct in everything they did to ensure that Cian was properly treated throughout. In sport we take it for granted that injuries will occur but we often forget that those treating them are the most important persons at a rugby club.
Andrew’s day job is working as an ambulance technician and so we are lucky that he finds time to help his fellow Teries on a Saturday after such a tiring weekday job as he has. He showed, in bucket loads today, how he is a certainty to succeed as a Paramedic after his exams in March next year. The Force may have lost in the game but their medical team won the most important battle.
