First and second placed teams Deeside RFC and the Jolly Boys clashed at Counteswells in a highly physical match which saw the Jolly Boys lose at home for the first time this season. Both teams arrived with a full 22 man squad, with every player utilised by both teams throughout the match as a result of injuries throughout a brutal match.

The first 10 minutes saw Deeside pressuring the Jolly Boys in their own half, though strong defensive play never saw the try line threatened. Eventually a penalty was conceded which was easily scored by Deeside’s goalkicker.

However, the Jolly Boys then began to apply pressure of their own from the kick-off, forcing numerous errors from Deeside to slowly make their way to Deeside’s 5 metre line. Deeside’s highly organised and very strong defence meant the Jolly Boys could not threaten the try line, and saw Kyle White having to leave the field injured after being tackled around the neck and suffering an injury to his knee. Gordonians won penalties from on-going infringement, with 2 attempted penalties missed by fly half Duncan McIntyre. Substitute Ivan Mauloed then also had to leave the field shortly after coming on, knocking himself out cold headbutting Paul Watt’s testicles after making a big hit on a Deeside player. Ewan McLean who had made his club debut from the bench went to the hospital with Ivan depleting the Jolly Boys bench. Both teams were relieved to hear later on that Ivan had recovered from the knock out and had swiftly busied himself fighting and arguing with doctors to be let home.

Deeside continued to hold out against the Jolly Boys pressure and worked their way down the pitch once more, scoring a well worked try in the corner and a further penalty to lead 11-0.

The first half ended with the Jolly Boys once again pressuring Deeside deep in their own 22, continued infringements in the rucks finally seeing a sin bin at the 40 minute mark for a Deeside forward. Desperate defending by Deeside saw further penalties given to Gordonians with numerous tap and gos by the Jolly Boys as they sought to end the first half with a try. However, Deeside held firm before winning a penalty and kicking the ball out of play to end the half.


HT Jolly Boys 0 – 11 Deeside RFC


Despite having a man advantage for the first 10 minutes of the second half, Gordonians still could not score, excellent defence from Deeside holding out the tireless running attacking play of the Jolly Boys. The intensity of both teams defences increased in the second half, with both teams suffering further injuries in the forwards forcing the scrums to go uncontested. Both teams were denied tries in the corner due to the determined defences of both teams, though Deeside finally scored a second try after drawing in the Gordonians backs and squeezing in the corner. That was to be the only score of the second half, spirited defence and handling errors in attack by the Jolly Boys keeping the score at 16-0 to Deeside.


FT Jolly Boys 0 – 16 Deeside RFC


Although disappointed to lose, there were many positives for the Jolly Boys to build on with an excellent spirit shown by every player on the pitch, in a display every player in the squad could take pride in. This was also the first time this season that Deeside had not taken the full 5 points from a league game, so to limit a very well organised and solid team to only 2 tries and force them into numerous errors where many other teams have crumbled was also encouraging.

Thank you to Deeside for a good game of Rugby, and we wish them the best of luck for the rest of the season.