Saturday the Barbarians travelled to Avonmouth for their league fixture, and it turned out to be a very entertaining game with a rollercoaster of emotions on display.
From the off the home side had the visiting side on the back foot and could’ve and maybe should’ve scored a couple of tries but they were met with by a resolute defence.
Things took a bit of a turn when Barbarians scrum half Phil ‘Alan’ Maclean was yellow carded and spent 10 minutes on the side-line doing what all good 9’s do, protesting his innocence.
With a man down the inevitable Avonmouth try came when after a quick tap penalty and the Barbs over committing at the ruck the home side took the lead taking the score to 7—0.
Going a score down jolted the visitors into action and they were on the score board soon after or so they thought when winger Bradley Penny went over in the corner only for one of his size 18 feet touched the side-line and the try was ruled out.
The Barbs kept the pressure on and were rewarded or so they thought again when Luke Dymond went over only to be pulled back for receiving a forward pass.
With the visitors now back to a full compliment on the pitch and yes you guessed it, Mr sin bin himself, the Hangover extra went over to bring the score to 7-5.
With a solid scrum and an effective lineout in operation this gave centres Billy McGowan and Craig ‘The Hand’s Spiller the opportunity to run at the Avonmouth defenders and one of the home side backs missed a tackle and Billy went over to take the half time score to 7-12.
The second half continued with Avonmouth tapping every penalty and trying to run the Barbs off their feet and the Barbarians driving at scrum time.
Avonmouth lost their hooker to injury and with the reshuffle in the pack Barbs second row Dougal Broom started to steal a few of the home sides lineout ball. From a ball won against the throw the ball was spun wide for winger David Paxton to bosh his way over the line (Pako told me he boshed the guy, so I’ve had to put it into the report personally all I saw as him flop over the try line) to take the score to 7-17.
The visitors went looking for the bonus point try and after a wayward kick from the home sides outside half, full back Kyran Gitsham outpaced the defence to dive over in the corner, OR SO WE THOUGHT but yes, you’ve guessed it the away sides lines man and the most honest man at the Barbarians Mr Steve Chidgey raised his flag for a foot in touch.
From the lineout and a not straight ball called by the referee the Barbs called for the scrum and after a couple of rucks Luke Dymond scored to take the score to 7-22.
There was still time for a bit of dram and another yellow card when the Avonmouth tighthead did his best WWE impression when the Barbs player was celebrating his try. (Disclaimer I didn’t see any of this as I was still stuck at the bottom of a ruck so if its incorrect, I apologise)
With the game petering out the Avonmouth outside half took a quick penalty and went over for Avonmouth’s second and If I’m honest deserved try to take the final score to 10-22.