Saturday 4th September 2010,  Coventry Saracens 7-22 Anstey

Anstey's good start to the season continues with a workmanlike performance at Coventry Saracens.
An early injury to the Sarries hooker caused a prolonged break, however from the restart the Anstey forwards drove a scrum over and scrum half Bucknor was able to score the try.  The conversion was missed 0-5.
Anstey continued to dominate proceedings, however the home side defended well spoiling and slowing the  ball at every opportunity.  Eventually though they tried the ref’s patience and had a player sin binned. Anstey opted for a scrum and having driven their host to the line a penalty was awarded. Bucknor again tapped and went  and scored his second try. 0-10
Saracens responded well and took the game to Anstey. Defence though was good however just before the break Saracens scored a converted try and at half time Anstey led 7-10.
The second half was much of the same. Anstey trying to attack and Saracens spoiling. Both sides cancelled each other however Anstey’s bench appeared stronger then their hosts and towards the end of the  game  Anstey produced perhaps the only true period of fluent play resulting in try's for back rower John Gough and centre Shane White. One was converted by fullback Hobbs and Anstey ran out winners by 7-22.
Good performance with lots of players. Well done to all.

The Anstey Sevens Squad that won the tournament
at Birstall August 2010

For once Anstey travelled to a competition in good order with plenty of numbers and supporters to boot. With a number of senior players not available it was the chance for the club’s youngsters to stake a place for the coming season.
In the beginning the event lacked cohesion with nobody knowing what was happening and we spent quite a while standing about. The team were well led though by skipper for the day Jack Barnes and his willing assistant Kam Kalia.
Our first game was against the men of Birstall 2nds who looked the part and gave the impression they would be a hard nut to crack. From the start Anstey tore into them with the forwards making life difficult for the Birstall players. Anstey continually sucked in defenders and having made space put away the wide runners and ran out comfortable winners by 45-0.
Our second game pitted us against the useful Burbage side who we had watched dispatch Castle Donnington. The opening exchanges were tense with Burbage having most of the ball but again Anstey defence was top drawer and held. Anstey finally got their hands on the ball and immediately put scrum half Jon Bale in for the opening try. From then on it was all Anstey and the side ran out 26-0 winners.
Anstey next played Castle Donnington who were improving with each game. The game was a little fractious mainly due to the opposition scrum half. Anstey scored first and led 7-0, however seemed to lose the composure and were drawn into a war of attrition and allowed the opposition to come back at them and win 10-7.
The final league game was against Birstall who talked the talk and said they walked the walk. Anstey backed by the wind dominated the first half and led 10-0 at HT. Birstall though came back and drew level with 2 tries of their own. Final score 10-10.
The draw for the semis saw Anstey pitted against Birstall 1s again. Anstey though had learned from their first game and upped their game. An early try saw Anstey lead 7-0 and although Birstall tried to fight back they were lacking the defensive cohesion of the Anstey side. In the second half Anstey scored 2 more tries and ran out 19-0 winners.
In the final Anstey met Burbage who had again beaten Castle Donnington in the semis. Anstey knew they had the beating of them but had to prove it. Once more aching limbs were taken to the pitch and again the team ethos kicked in. The players put their bodies on the line for each other. Tackles rained in and Burbage were quite literally submerged in a sea of Black and silver. Having built a 31-0 lead Anstey relaxed and allowed the opposition a consolation try but in the end had won well.
This was a good day for the players who took part and my thanks go to all who took part. Anstey rotated their players all the time in order to allow everybody game time. All the players did well and this bodes well and is a good starter for the season ahead.

A selection of action photos follow: