Buxton Thirds 0 Knutsford 40

This was the Thirds "Battle of Maldon",

Mind must be harder, spirit must be bolder,
And heart the greater,as our might grows less
Here lies our leader in the dust , the hero
Cut down in battle. Ever must he mourn
Who thinks to go home from this battle-play.

Despite the scoreline, the Thirds were magnificent in defeat. In appalling weather they produced a performance of pride and courage that as they left the Knutsford clubhouse produced a standing ovation*. Knutsford were made to work and to fight for every point, never, not once, not for a moment did the Thirds flag or let their heads drop. To have been part of the team today was an honour. To name individuals is invidious but you can't have a match report without it. so here goes.

Captain our Captain was outstanding. His rallying cries spurred the tired and weary legs on, and he was a threat and a thorn in the Knutsford side all afternoon. Bearman, Uprichard, and Fussell, battled and battered their opposite front row all afternoon. Dilworth and Rose provided the power behind and as the game wore on Rose began to get about the park a bit and make a nuisance of himself. Dilworth as always gave his all. Allen we have mentioned but he grows in stature every game, and Henderson was the rock. Even his kicking had a certain style to it. Anthony was fearless at open side and with experience will come guile and an awesome prospect (even if he does come from Longnor) and when he tired the old fox Dawson appeared to snap and cause them confusion.

Tom Edge stepped up to the plate and took on the tricky role of scrum half. He grew into it as the game developed and made some feisty breaks to show what he can do. Stratford was calmness personified, an oasis of tranquility within the surging maelstrom around him. He has taken to the strategy and like a Kasparov or an Adams finds innovation in the chaos that it creates.

To the three quarters we salute you. Your defense at times was so solid that it forced Knutsford to make errors, so that we lucky forwards could indulge ourselves in yet another scrum. You never gave up nor did you waver;

He told his troops
To make a shield wall and to hold it fast
Against their foes....Steadfast they stood
as Stratford stirred them on
Bade Seth, Gaz, Geoff and Dan to concentrate on defense.
And at the back, standing firm
In the mud and rain, there was a rock,
A lintel, unflinching in the face of the onslaught,
Ali Packer our brave last line.

Remember all the speeches that we uttered
Often when drinking beer, when we made vows
Upon the benches, heroes in the hall,
About hard strife. Those that had true
Courage shewed it.







*Okay it was applause and they remained seated, but it was heart felt and those guys had been in a game today and they knew it.