Scribes Men returned to the pitch at Rupert Park on Saturday after a two week snow-induced hibernation, to face United Rugby Club in Division 2 action.

United showed strong intent in the early going, but some physical and occasionally desperate tackling in the centres from Scribes prevented what could have been a pair of important line breaks. United continued to press forward, however, owning the majority of the time in possession during the game’s first ten minutes. After a quick move into the 22m area, United were able to find a gap in the Scribes tackle line about seven metres from goal and punch in the game’s first try for a 5-0 lead.

Scribes came back with a spirited response, getting their first serious time with possession of the ball, showing good physicality at the breakdown and turning phase play into penalties and territory. A brilliant kick to the corner off one such penalty left Scribes with their first attacking platform of the game, only five meters from goal. Following a perfectly executed line-out, maul and drive, flanker Marcus Treacy pressed the ball down in goal to level the score at 5-5.

The two sides remained at level pegging for most of the first half, with Scribes gaining the edge in penalties and causing fits for United ball carriers, who were held up in choke tackles on a trio of occasions. United held the edge in the scrum, however, winning their put-ins with relative ease while forcing Wongie to be at his best at scrumhalf for Scribes, with the pack retreating towards him.

United broke the deadlock, sailing a penalty home from mid-range to take an 11-8 lead into the break.

The second half was physical, with yellow cards handed out to both teams. Some quickly escalating altercations were pulled apart before anything got out of hand, but it was clear that the points on offer were going to be fiercely contested and that neither side were intending on backing down.

The turning point of the game came in the 55^th minute, as Scribes used their front-row players as ball carriers to great effect, smashing their way to within a couple meters of goal and earning a penalty. Having already scored a try from the rolling maul earlier in the game, the Scribes chose to go for the lead and confidently kicked to the corner. Scribes then won the line-out, but were unable to push forward and had to settle for a couple of quick phases five meters out. Scribes then spun the ball out wide, sensing there might be something on, but full credit to the United defense who shifted out quickly, made the tackle and turned the ball over with a penalty.

United extended their lead with a well struck penalty in the 60^th minute and added a late converted try during a 15 on 14 advantage to extend the final scoreline to 21-8.

Scribes’ Men’s Team travels to Surrey on February 25^th to face a very strong Beavers AA side at Sullivan Heights. Kickoff is scheduled for 1pm.

Scribes’ Women return to the field as well on February 25th, when they host Ridge Meadows at Rupert Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:30am.

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