A stellar defensive performance from the 2s weathered the visitors and the rain for a final score of 14-7, despite going down to 14 men twice throughout the game.
The game started off a with a strong wind blowing across the pitch and kicks were exchanged from both directions. A couple of Acton penalties put them defending a line out in their own 22, but disruption from the pack and the ball was back in Actonians possession.
A running combo between Elliot Rice, Reece Williamson-White, and Euan Gray broke through the I&U defence for Euan to put the ball down at the other end of the pitch. Elliot followed up with the conversion.
Actonians continued to defend for the remainder the half, stopping the opposition just short multiple times and even holding the ball up.
Unfortunately the penalties continued to pour in and the referee eventually decided to award a penalty try at the start of the second half.
With the score tied up and the rain beginning to fall Acton had to press on the attack. Forwards pressed up the pitch, but were stopped just short themselves. When a poor clearance landed right in the hands of Chris Maillard, he ran back past multiple defenders before offloading to Mark Stuart to dive underneath the posts. Elliot followed with a second conversion.
Despite the attacking prowess, Chris was shown a yellow card for a tackle that slid high, more for an accumulation of penalties by the team.
The defence continued to hold fast, but Raphaël Losson, one of our limited supply of front rows, went down with a knock. There was concerning talk of the scrums going uncontested and Actionians having to drop another player, but Tom Durno heroically stepped up to hook as though he’d been doing it for years.
Even following the first yellow, Actonians continued to slip up and Thomas Wilkins was also shown a yellow card following a high tackle. The 2s were down to 14 men for the final defensive.
Ickenham & Uxbridge threw phase after phase towards the clubhouse, but Acton retained their structure well, made all the necessary tackles and finally forced a knock on long after last play had been called. All in all a solid defensive performance somewhat marred by a few too many penalties.
Man of the match was awarded to Elliot Rice for his tenacity both on and off the ball, while Tom Wilkins and Chris Maillard shared the mantle of dick of the day for their yellow cards.