As the teams took to the field at the start of what turned out to be a real tough local derby they could not have envisaged that they would beat Scott to the Antarctic within 80 numbingly cold minutes. The conditions turned colder and wetter with every passing minute but the Teries showed huge amounts of guts, determination and sledging ability to defeat their plucky opponents and keep them from ever crossing the Force try line.
There were a few brave Force supporters, from drookit mums to snow-bound octogenarians and from shorts wearing yetis to figure skating fathers, but they too stuck it out to the bitter end to witness an excellent result against tough opponents.
The Souters had insufficient front row to allow for contested scrums which was a shame as every one of the nithered backs would have volunteered to join the front 8 for a warming set piece had the chance arisen but the likes of the tireless Harris Brogan relished these frosty conditions.
President Hamilton won the snowman building competition on the touchline before disappearing to the sound of ‘I am going inside, I may be gone for some time’ and was later found warming his extremities in a cold shower. This was as cold and inhospitable a day as many of these lads will have played in but it did not put any of them off to their great credit, despite snow falling throughout the second half.
Plaudits have to go to the likes of Kyle Brunton whose intelligent kicking kept the hosts playing from behind a snow drift and to Murray Renwick who was constantly burrowing his way into good positions from which to create havoc. Young Cian Riddell is as intelligent an outside half as there will be in this league and he was ably supported by hard running and fine tackling from the likes of Jack Chelley and James Delaney. However, the forwards won the day with hard work, speed skating and commitment throughout. Steven Mabon was a man amongst boys and he encouraged his team to advance through the ice caps at every opportunity like a scrum cap sporting Ernest Shackleton. Mabon and the ever-willing Corey Tait scored barrelling tries in the rain sodden first half both of which were ably converted by Brunton.
Despite the referee awarding 27 penalties to the hosts for every law breach except throwing snowballs the Teries kept surging on in the second ice-age until they were rewarded by two excellent tries. Firstly, the swinging pigtail of Glen Welsh sliced through for an adventurous try and then the walrus like Aidan Fairbairn burst out of a ruck to plunge over in the corner. As the game advanced towards full-time the Force continued to dominate up front and the bonus point win was no less than their heroic efforts deserved.
Make no mistake these conditions were simply awful, the pitch became a snow covered paddy field and the hands of many became blocks of ice, but the player who most epitomised the can-do spirit of these lads was Chuck Welsh, who frequently slalomed his way through opponents as though on a black run and whose handling of persistent high balls was as secure as a veteran circus sealion.
Well done to the Force, let’s hope that you have warmed up by this Saturday.
