Deepings 2nd home game of the season against a unbeaten Shelford side was looking on paper
at being another tough fixture, and so it turned out to be!

Jack Ray starting only his 2nd game with fellow debutant Luke Giddo also in the starting 15.
Influential scrum half Paul Robbo Robinson out - sidelined until Christmas with a groin injury
adding to the growing injury list. However, swelled by 5 finishers on the sidelines, Deeping had a
little bit of depth to the team for once.

Deeping started well, 3 spells of concerted pressure at the Shelford line in the first 25 minutes
unfortunately not able to make a break through; though the effort and commitment was there
for all to see. However, an interception & 2 knock-ons in the Shelford 22, led to 3 Shelford
scoring 3 length of the field tries, which were against the run of play.

Deepings line out functioned well, giving good ball out to the back division. Ciaran T & Joe Debo
making holes in the Shelford midfield, but couldn’t make the decisive breakthrough. Deepings
contested scrum stood firm & the team tackled their hearts out. HT 0-19

After a rallying cry at half time, the second half started disappointingly with 4 unanswered
Shelford tries, 2 catches straight off the kick off and 2 overlapping tries down the wing with
hardly any phases of play of set up. 2 of these were more luck than judgement, but it took the
wind out of the Deeping attack & heads went down. Several changes to the team were made
with the finishers looking to make an impact, but it took time for the new faces to gel, & the team
was a little disjointed.

After 2 more Shelford tries, Deeping dug deep and a rolling maul and rumble after rumble up the
field over what seemed an eternity, finally allowed Johnny to bundle over for a try.

Positives to take, -excellent line out play, powerful forward driving & massively improved support
play, so often our downfall, was really evident throughout the game. However to our detriment
as Shelford’s’ non-committal to numbers at the breakdown & ability to show an organised
defensive line across the field, made progress difficult for the most part. Deeping often
committing a lot more men than necessary to each breakdown, leaving the numbers bare in the
backfield.

Huge amount of effort made, many putting their body & soul on the line, with many excellent
performances throughout the team as a whole. However, having a core group of only half the
team or so at training each week is not helping on Matchdays. What is being worked on in
training is working with the players that are committing. But it needs all the squad to train.
Appreciated thanks does go out to all the guys that showed up to help.