Sevens Clinch a Draw In Last Minute Stunner

Being the first match of the day on the Reading sand based pitch meant that the Super Sevens could get a solid warm up. The regulars were assisted by Sam Boseley and Geraint Thomas who were unavailable for their games later in the day. Unfortunately Clooney had dropped out last minute which gave space for Neil Pipe to have a run out.

First Half
Captain Phil Cooper increased his record of winning coin tosses to 9-2 and Sonning pushed back. Although the conditions were humid, the pitch was very dry and bouncy and both teams were finding it difficult to get a rhythm going. Sonning had a couple of early chances including Cooper’s outstretched stick taking the ball off the Keeper’s toe but this trickled wide.

After the first 15 minutes Sonning found their rhythm and started controlling the match. Play was both going through the centre of the pitch via Matt Hill, Ian Hadland and Neil Pipe and wide to the flanks of Russ Syvier, Dave Ransome and Rudi Eagling who had really turned around his spate of sub par performances and consistently drove the ball up the astro. Sonning really did have the domination of the midfield and this continued for most of the game however both teams were finding it difficult to get the ball in the D and get a shot off.

Mitch was remaining solid between the sticks. The Defence was solid and distributed the ball extremely well. Geraint Thomas and Jerry Cresswell took most of the 16s which Bicester had trouble facing up to.

Halftime
Halftime came and the mighty sevens were surprised how strong they felt. This was due to them not giving the ball away needlessly, being strong on the ball and not constantly counter attacking. Sonning had the quality they just needed the confidence and the final ball into the D. During the team talk it was agreed that it was Sonning’s game to win.

Second Half
Bicester pushed back and play continued much as it went before. This was not one way traffic but Sonning were the better team and were due a goal. Sam Bosley had a couple of difficult chances that he could not put away. Bicester were defending further and further in their own half and encouraged the full backs of Andrew Fry, Andy Staig and Rob Hollinger to drive forward. Andrew Fry took a tumble on one of his runs ending his game early but Andy Staig pulled off what could only be called a cover drive of an ankle high ball forcing a save from the keeper.

Five minutes from time,against the run of play, Bicester scored on the counter. This was reminiscent of the battle of Henwick Lane earlier in the season where The 7s lost in the last 5 minutes to Newbury and Thatcham. However this time the heads did not drop and Sonning again pushed into enemy territory. One minute from time the Sevens won a short corner which after some passing around the D from Hadders to Dave, it then made it’s way toward the P spot where Sam “The Prefect” Bosley struck the ball into the bottom corner.

Analysis
Thirty seconds later the Umpires blew their whistle. Sonning were happy with the comeback but felt that they should have won the game. There were a great amount of positives to take from this match and must give “The Boys of the Blue and Gold” confidence going into the return leg after Christmas.

MoM: Matt Hill for his distribution and calmness under pressure.

DoD: Phil Cooper for his poor performance and for forgetting the name of the oppo just before giving three cheers.

Watch out next week for Cooper's Break-Week Breakdown