Home vs Belgrave 2s

After 4 failed attempts, spanning a year, trying to get a match report out of Jack Hodges, we finally gave in and allowed Timms free reign of the keyboard. All thoughts, opinions and criticisms are from Timmy's own mind and do not necessarily, but probably do, represent my feelings!

Cosby welcomed belgrave 2s to Victory Park this week on the back of some indifferent league results. With a strong squad out Cosby were looking at this match as a game that they wanted to put a marker down and win, and how they did, from the moment the team was announced everyone was up for the game, prompt to arrive (Smash got lost somewhere but did arrive in time). Brighty sorted the pre-game warm up and got everyone revved up and Cosby were warming up before belgrave had even fully arrived.
Current on field skipper Timms did lose the toss but you can’t win everything, With a large crowd amassing on the side lines to watch this upcoming battle the crowed almost swelling to well over double figures and even a mention to one supported who made the trip to the container side of the pitch too shout his words of encouragement with his dogs, and then getting roped into taking over touch judge duty when cosby needed to make subs (thanks nursey). Cosby started the match at the Narborough Road end with the bright December sun in their eyes not this mattered as straight from the kick off Smash caught the ball with his normal hands up in the air routine and set about trying to run into as many Belgrave players as he could after a few phases of decent cosby play and a bit of two and frowing of possession cosby had a scrum just inside their own half, the scrum was won and the backs with some lovely hands managed to get the ball all the way down the line and into the arms of Glenn who with some blistering speed (not the fastest player on the pitch that day but more on that later) ran round the outside of the Belgrave back line and scored Cosbys first try. Conversion missed. This was to become the blue print for the Cosby attack all day, as Hodges has said many times this season it’s the Forwards who win the game and the backs decide by how many (that man loves a cliché). 5-0
From the kick off between Army Dan (or as he prefers now Sponge) and smash they manged to get about 10m up the field before thinking they were All Blacks and messing up the offload gifting Belgrave a scrum in cosby territory and the centre of the pitch, after some less than brilliant defence Cosby were broken with some nice hands from the belgrave backs allowing the winger to score in the corner. Conversion missed. 5-5
Cosby needed to regroup and that’s what they did quick ball and sensible play aloud the backs to release Glenn again to into the corner, conversion missed again by Timms and Cries of scumbag could be heard from one cosby supporter. 10-5
Cosby were now starting to get a grip of the game and with every opportunity moving the ball around well and making advances forward with every phase. After a few plays a scrum was to take place on the container side of the pitch after a couple of resets Bradley was forced to come off and the Belgrave prop declaring that he was too strong for Bradley on came Jonny and Cosby then won the resulting scrum. Play starting to get a little scatty the belgrave 9 took it upon himself to clear the ball and with a poor kick mixed in with some nice hands down the line allowing lurpak to score in the corner thank fully with Jonny on there was no need for Timmy to kick and with his first kick of the game Jonny kicked it wide 15-5.
Same kick off same result smash taking well and making inroads down the pitch (this was to become a feature of the game) Cosby now have their foot firmly on the gas phases after phases some nice line out work from the forwards and Glenn is in again this time under the post to make the kick nice and simple for Jonny who duly kicks the extras 22-5. At this point I’ve been told that Glenn is now joint top scorer for the season.
Half time (I think)
Changes for Cosby as Sponge is replaced by Sweede, the main talking point for half time was not to let up and keep going for more points but keep our heads play simple and for the first time this season that’s exactly what happened. From the off Cosby where straight on it again with play that we’ve been trying to produce all year simple and effective Cosby ball, the forwards punching holes in the Belgrave defensive line and the backs taking full advantage as lurpak with a lovely line and offloads to whitey to score an easy try Jonny slots the kick, there were rumours that this shouldn’t have been given as a try even whitey looked confused but that may be his normal look as he made it across the white wash. 29-5
Within 3 minutes the ball was being recycled quick and effectively and with Hewins pulling the strings like an Austrian conductor Cosby where playing to a sweet tune, the ball somehow made it out to Kyle who with 4 Belgrave defenders in his way turned on the speed never looked like he was interested in passing the ball out to Timmy who was outside broke one tackle ran past another and was pushed through the third (your welcome) to score another Jonny now finding his rhythm slots the extras 36-5.
This is where it becomes a little more difficult due to the fact that the pitch side score keeper has left to go to the Mecca so I may make up a little bit for the last few scores but what can you do.
Belgrave kick off again and find smash AGAIN either they really liked him and wanted to give him the ball or just ran out of ideas and hoped he’d fluff his lines (on the basis that surly he can only catch so many before he drops one) we don’t know, what we do know is that with the resulting kick off and in one fine move smash takes the ball and without hesitation offloads to whitey catch and pass in one move from Smash yes you read that correctly, am not sure who was more surprised Cosby as a whole, Belgrave as a whole or smash? But off Cosby wen again this time straight up the field and this time a different scorer with Jim Freer taking the try with another fine passing moves in the backs and out gunning there opposite numbers Jonny on this occasions lost his bearings and slotted just wide from a tight angle. 41-5
After a slight lull in play with both teams looking for a second and in some cases a third wind cosby kept applying the pressure but with some stout defence and the odd penalty here and there the score board was untroubled for a short spell that was until the backs who I’m told have been practising a new move at training (for those of you that don’t know training it is what we do on a Tuesday down the park in the cold hopefully every week) unleased said move and with pin point accuracy aloud for lurpak to score his second of the game, missed extras. 46-5
The next kick off Belgrave tried a change of tact and instead of kicking to Smash went longer only to find Timmy behind him who picked up on Cosbys 22 and rode a couple of tackles to out run everyone on the pitch with pace that cannot be measured some have said that it was a sight to behold, some have said its one to tell the grandkids but for the few lucky ones to have witnessed it first-hand they won’t forget it in a hurry. Jonny made it a full score. 53-5
Another Kick off another Smash run and as he set off boshing into anyone who dared to come near him breaking a couple of tackles for good measure and clearing enjoying himself as he defo throw a pirouette in there like a young Bruno Tonioli (one for the Strictly fans amongst you) cosby showed some grit with rumbling forwards and pacey backs to allow the allusive Jim to get his second of the match and compounding an already impressive outing for the home team.
Final score Cosby 58-5 Belgrave 2

Special shout outs go to:-
Glenn for a wonderful first half hat trick.
Bradley for lasting 10-15 mins then coming off to a ‘serious’ shoulder injury only to be found in the bull sinking pints like they was going out of fashion and missing his taxi?
Lurpak for claiming he moved about a foot from when Timmy got the ball to scoring.
The forward pack for dominating in all set plays
The backs for bringing a new move to the table and it working (Kyle was so excited)
Kyle for doing his best impression of Hodges with the ooo I’m hurt but ill soldier on!

This week’s Man of the Match goes to Smash for his constant running, only getting pinged a couple of times and his work rate for most of his defence, think that’s the best game I’ve seen off him in a Cosby shirt.

Thanks for the support, as always enjoy Christmas & see you all boxing day for a festive swig.