Service will be bitterly disappointed with the manner of the loss as the referee failed to spot two players knocked out after a head on collision. With players gesturing wildly at the prone figure of Jack Duffin and spectators horrified at the sickening sound of the clash Virginia players were allowed to walk the ball over the line to score the winning try having been pegged back to 19 - 19.

A chilly but clear, still day was perfect for rugby and both teams were hitting hard from the whistle. The action was based around the half way line as neither team was budging and both were tackling hard and shoring up gaps quickly. A high kick was well fielded by Manager Arthur Kerr on the touchline but apart from that the tight match didn't give much to shout about. Phil Patterson, returning from a long time away from the game was starting off well at number 8, a number of strong runs coupled with some big big hits on the travellers. Lineouts were shaky from both sides with a number of slap backs and neither team was rally making much with possession, however 10 minutes in, Virginia looked to have worked a clever overlap but, while outnumbered in defence, a clever interception from centre Chris Burns saw the speed merchant set off on a 50 metre run unopposed to the line to score the first points of the day with Peter Hoskins converting.

The game continued in similar form for a while with both sides very evenly matched and unable to find a chink in each others defences. A long kick downfield seemed to have caught Service out but the covering flyhalf Steven Powell used all his nous and knowhow from his many many years of playing to get back. Using every single one of the extra yards in his head he slid in just as his opponent did the same, a sure try at stake as the almighty collision crashed in and the wily Service veteran came out the victor.
Service's defence was performing well but with a strong attack suddenly broken up they were once again caught cold as a kick downfield was left unguarded and suddenly Virginia were level as they scored a simple converted try to level the match.

Virginia were back in the game and shortly after their elusive scrum half evaded his counterpart, Simon Hamilton, and broke well with Hoskins having to make a great covering tackle. The recycled ball was well used and the visiting fly half gave a quick dummy and raced across the line for a second converted try. With Hoskins missing a tricky kick at the end of the half it appeared the ball had stopped in the dead ball area but with shouts going unheeded the ref adjudged it to have gone dead and blew the whistle for half time with the home side 14-7 down.

The second half began with some early pressure on the Service line. The defence was very disappointed as one well executed long pass wide cut out the defence and left winger Ciaran O'Reilly hopelessly outnumbered and Virginia had the simple task of touching down to give them a credible 19-7 lead. With captain Michael Murray exhorting his team on it was disappointing to see the kickoff sliced twice and a scrum on half way given as it did not reach the required 10 yards. Matt Robinson and Greg Brown were having to work extra hard as flankers as the scrums solidified for the hosts they held back the visitors attack with mobile front rower Ben Morgan forcing a knock on. A smart blind side move saw Stevie Powell send an expert pass out to club stalwart Dan Cartland, playing at centre. There didn't seem much on at first as the versatile player took the ball over the half way line but with a dummy and a step the snake hipped veteran warhorse was suddenly past 3 defenders and the crowd roused with anticipation. The senior back player left opponents half his age lying in his wake as his deceptive turn of pace and slaloming style bewitched onlookers and with opponents falling at his feet he triumphantly outraced the young pretenders to breathlessly touch down to the rapturous applause of the crowd who were delighted to have seen a try of such verve and class.

Service were right back in this match and the confidence was spreading through the team. Wingers Emmett McKimm and Ciaran o'Reilly were both proving evasive and unfortunate not to quite wriggle free on a couple of breaks and when hard yards were required Scott Harper, Jack Duffin and Michael were there to do it. When a long kick was once again covered in defence by Stevie Powell the crowd were worried as kicking from hand had been poor in general but he drilled a beautiful exocet of a kick back into the opposition 22. With the lineout well spoilt by Michael, Service were able to set up an attack and recycled it to the right hand side. While the crowd were in some confusion as to who scored in the ensuing maul it looked as though the returning Phil Patterson had scored to level the game up at 19 each after a comeback had perhaps appeared unlikely at half time.

Virginia were growing desperate and, knowing that anything but a win cold scupper any chance of them catching Ophir at the top of the league they threw everything at the Service line. Unable to breach it they tried drop goals but on 3 occasions the ball sailed wide as the defenders pressurised quickly. A number of times they were held at bay and as the clocked on through 9 minutes of injury time they began to think it as over until the moments that decided the match. A dubious free kick was awarded following a 5 yard scrum. Virginia gave the ball to their biggest player who crashed towards the line only to be hit by brave Jack Duffin who drove into him hard, putting his body literally on the line for his team. The crack as both collided was sickening and thy both fell motionless to the ground but crucially the referee allowed play on. With the Service defence rushing to the aid of the stricken players Virginia players, possible unaware of the situation touched the ball over an unguarded line as the ref blew- not to stop the game as should have happened for the head collision but to award the try, much to the aggrievement of the hosts. Both players were attended to and well looked after and made full recoveries but the final moments left a bitter taste in the craw of both players and spectators who had watched a hard fought match that neither team deserved to lose and certainly not in such circumstances.

Next week Service will look to take out their injustice as they travel to play Derry YM but with a much improved performance they will be heartened prior to the long trip

Man of the match: Dan Cartland- a superb balletic try out of nothing as the experienced centre showed he's still got it. Good performances all round though as Phil Patterson impressed upon his return and Jack Duffin gave everything he could.

Team:

1. Scott Harper
2. Richard Anderson
3. Ben Morgan
4. Jack Duffin
5. Michael Murray (c)
6. Matt Robinson
7. Greg Brown
8. Phil Patterson
9. Simon Hamilton
10. Stephen Powell
11. Ciaran O'Reilly
12. Dan Cartland
13. Chris Burns
14. Emmett McKimm
15. Peter Hoskins

Civil Service (NI) RFC

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