The game started in a less than desirable fashion for Slough. Alex Allen departed the pitch injured after his first touch of the ball – “lasting 30 seconds is the bane of my life,” he later explained. Drifters came out of the blocks quickly and got an early try within the first five minutes. A successful conversion made that 7 – 0.

The Greenies regrouped under the posts - the backs could be over-heard talking about tactics and running lines, whilst the forwards made a series of grunts and other low pitched sounds before returning to the half way line. Whatever was shared under the posts clearly struck a chord with the Slough, as they returned to the game with a ferocious intensity. Two quick pods up the middle of the pitch saw Drifters give away a penalty inside their own 22. A quick tap from James Flisher drew Slough within 10 metres of the line. At this point Robbie Morrison, still brimming with rage from his country’s appalling autumn Series campaign, made a thundering run around the blindside. Tom “Peripheral Vision” Young popped the ball to Robbie Morrison who Scythed through the defence and scored in the corner. Max Miles missed the conversion. 7-5.

After the kick off and some brutal phases in the middle of the pitch, Slough conceded a penalty just outside their 22. Drifters slotted the kick, 10 – 5.

From the restart Drifters cleared their lines. A sublime lineout followed and Ben “Trundle” Ambrose charged down the middle of the pitch, shrugging off two defenders as if they were extra-large happy meals. Continued pressure meant that Drifters gave away a penalty. Slough went for territory. A catch and drive from the lineout saw James Flisher get over the line, but no try was awarded – “Held up,” said the referee “Scrum 5 to Slough”.

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PITCHSIDE INTERVIEW – AMAN GREWELL:
How are you feeling about the game today?
“Umm, feeling positive, we’ve started the first five well, dropped the ball a couple of times, but judging by the last few games I think we can keep the momentum up. Also I scored twice in the Semi’s.”
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Dominance in the scrum would be an understatement. With a powerhouse front row of Matt Fenwick, James Flisher and Ben Ambrose (Charlie Spiller and Daubroy Delahunty coming off the bench later in the game) Slough pushed the Drifters pack all over the park. Drifters gave away 4 penalties from the scrum on their 5 metre and eventually the referee had no choice but to award the penalty try. With Max Miles finding his kicking boots, he made the conversion and Slough went ahead. 10 – 12.

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PITCHSIDE INTERVIEW – COLBY SHORT:
Are you excited about a potential Slough victory today?
“My knee is pretty sore and I’m still tired from Thursday night but apart from that I’m feeling good.”
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A well contested 15 minutes followed to close out the first half. A high tackle from Drifters saw Craig “Ann Boylen” Fullicks nearly beheaded. Continued pressure from the set piece saw Slough control the scrums and lineouts, whilst handling errors saw them lose possession unnecessarily. One of the most remarkable events of this period saw Matt Fenwick personify the words of Miley Cyrus as he “came in like a wrecking ball,” flew up out the line, and made a hit that bounced a Drifters player over the border into Middlesex. In the dying seconds of the half, Slough conceded a penalty and Drifters did not waste their opportunity to edge ahead just before the whistle. 13 – 12.

*****************HALF TIME******************

From the kick off Drifters re-apply the pressure straight away. Quick hands result in their winger making a 50 yard break before getting stopped with a gutsy try saving tackle from Max Miles. They get the offload away but Kinter Zvokunzwa makes another covering tackle and this time puts Drifters into touch. Slough’s exit play is good, they turn the lineout over and following some powerful carries from the Greenies front 5, Drifters give away a penalty. Max Miles gets the kick. 13 – 15.

Some scrappy play after the restart in the centre of the pitch results in another penalty to Drifters just outside Slough’s 22. They opt for posts and miss again. 13 – 15.

From the drop out Slough marched up the pitch to halfway. A penalty allowed Max Miles to draw Slough within 5 metres of the Drifters line. 10 minutes of sustained pressure from Slough was met by some truly impressive defending by Drifters, who eventually counter rucked and cleared their lines. Max Miles was back to collect the ball and clearly fed up with kicking, decided to run for the first time in the game. After gaining 40 yards he looked set to execute a perfect draw and pass and put Tom Young in for a try, if it weren’t for a cynical deliberate knock on from Drifters. Max Miles stepped back into kicking duties, after briefly fraternising with some cardio, and bagged another 3 points for the Greenies. 13 – 18.

A huge 50 yard break from Drifters saw them run from their own half into the Slough 22. Some heroic tackles prevented Drifters from scoring however Slough conceded a Penalty on their 10 metre line. In the midst of a highly tense passage of play Johnny Spandley was caught having handbags with the Drifters prop resulting in both players being given yellow. Eventually Drifters excellent handling allowed them to recycle quick ball and score in the opposite corner. Missed the conversion. 18 – 18.

A fast paced final 10 minutes saw Drifters intercept a pass in their own 22 whilst on the back foot. They shipped the ball wide quickly and ran 70 yards to put over a well worked try. Made the conversion. 25 – 18.

With the clock ticking Slough dug deep and remained composed. After winning a penalty Max Miles put the ball just outside the Drifters 5 metres. The ball was thrown in and the catch and drive was good. One more pod followed until Robbie Morrison (visualising the 27-13 defeat to Wales) crept round the blind-side and forced his way over from 5 metres. Max Miles made an extremely difficult kick from the 22 on the touchline to draw Slough level. 25 -25.

And so… that was the end of the match. The final whistle went. Coaches and officials gathered in the centre of the pitch, brows furrowed, deep in discussion. The players shook each other’s hands with an air of uncertainty about what was to happen next. “Golden try...” and “extra time” where suggestions being muttered on the side-line. “A foot race between the front-row of each team” was the most unique suggestion made by Martin Tilby…

… It would be fair to say that the majority were surprised by the decision of a “sudden death penalty shoot-out” to decide the match. Usually, the only time rugby players see a penalty shoot-out is when they are watching match of the day to see if they have won money on their accumulators. None the less the show went on. The first round of kicks (in front of the posts on the 22) were successful for both teams’ kickers.

The second round (taken from the 15 meter line to the left of the posts on the 22) saw the Drifters kicker miss. He fell to floor. Max Miles stepped up. He brushed the sweat off his brow. The sunlight danced off of his boots, and he stared at the posts with a look of determination in his deep brown eyes. He narrowed his gaze… started his run up… *kick*….

… Four of the longest seconds in Slough derby history crawled by…

AND THE BALL SAILED THROUGH THE CENTRE OF THE POSTS!!
Miles wins it for Slough!! In emphatic fashion!! The team run from half way to celebrate with their captain, and Lisa Miles could be heard sobbing with pride from the side-line.

A great day, a great game – a great team. Go Greenies.

By Rhys Amos

Slough RFC

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