For many years this rivalry has given both teams an excuse to get out of the house on Boxing Day, with last year’s encounter resulting in Cryptians coming out on top after 9 years of back-to-back defeats. However, holding onto the mighty horns would not be easy. As all champions know, winning the title is one thing, but retaining the title is something totally different.

This winter has been a stormy one, but even God himself wanted to witness a passionate game of rugby so he sent the weather away for the day. This meant great rugby conditions with soft ground, a slight breeze and the sun in the sky.

The game kicked off, with the home team receiving and setting the tone as Old Richians' very own “Milky Bar Kid” bumped off self-proclaimed “Best Player” Callum Drury. The conditions meant Cryptians had the wind and sun at their backs so they knew they had to be clinical and get points on the board as soon as possible.

Fortunately for Cryptians, the Old Richians scrum-half had clearly been taking passing advice from our very own Rob “The Daisy Cutter” Trigg and couldn't pass higher than the fly-half's ankles. This led to the first of many scrums. At this first set-piece, the Richians pack demonstrated why they are a league above Cryptians, clearly dominating with both weight and experience on their side. Cryptians’ only hope was to fire the ball back to Will Duckworth at Number 8 as quickly as possible and hope that he could deal with it! Thankfully he did so very well and managed to get us back onto the front foot.

The first points on the board came mid-way through the first half and it was Cryptians that broke the deadlock. Once again the Richians scum-half gave his outside-half an awful pass giving the visitors time to close him down and put the pressure on. This led to a charge-down from Marc Blackford and an opportunity presented itself. A quick scramble for the loose ball was then picked up by a Cryptian as he fell over the line. The try scorer was none other than Mr “Stick-To-The-Game-Plan” James King who extended his lead as top try-scorer. Blackford converted. 0-7

The second notch on the scoreboard came from a good turnover at the breakdown from centre Callum “The Jackal” Drury which led to a penalty. Cryptians turned to the trusty boot of Marc Blackford who didn't disappoint with a long range nudge between the sticks. 0-10

Rolling subs saw the introduction of Cryptians’ new signing Chris Downes for Chad Crosby who had clearly had too much turkey over Christmas and needed a breather. Luckily for Cryptians, Downsey is slightly larger than Crosby which helped out immensely in the scrums, giving Duckworth a bit more stability at the back of the scrum.

After a good lineout Cryptians shifted the ball through hands and a very well-timed pass from Drury gave Gareth Flounders space out wide to use his "superior pace", gaining 40m and putting Cryptians back into the Richians half. A couple of phases later and Cryptians won a penalty at the break down. With the posts in range, the decision was to take a shot at goal. Blackford missed. However, due to Richians moving around after being told by the referee to remain still, Blackford had the chance to redeem himself and have another attempt! Surely he couldn't miss again... wait, yes, yes he could.

After a lucky escape for Richians, they began to battle back and used their long ball option in the lineout as a key point of attack. They gained yards and played deep into the 22m and after good forward-play their Number 8 managed to sneak over the line for their first try of the game. The decision to award the try was controversial as the ball appeared to have been held up by Flounders and Duckworth. Both players were in absolute shock at the decision, but had to gather themselves under the posts while the Richians fly-half slotted the extras. 7-10

Cryptians had to answer back soon with points of their own. There was no better way than by using last minute recruit from the Second XV, Will Duckworth. Great work from the forwards had him bulldozing over the line with support from the now aerodynamic Mike ”It Was Nice Knowing You” Simmonds. Blackford converted again from out wide despite the wind. 7-17

HALF TIME - The first half drew to a close with Cryptians on top. The team talk from Captain Ash Bawden would be a crucial one to keep everyone switched on for the second half.

Cryptians were to receive the restart and they realised how distracting the low sun was.

Just minutes into the second half and poor defending and communication in the Old Cryptians back line left a gap for the full-back to hit a line and go through to dot down for a converted try. 14-17

This was going to be a long second half with the game still able to go either way. The close score line led to both teams becoming frustrated from any mistake which of course meant handbags started flying from both teams. The referee warned both captains that today was a "friendly" and he didn't want to have to send anyone off, but that he would do so if this behaviour continued. We can confirm that for once this was not directed at northern monkey Sam Blaney who had travelled for 4 hours from Yorkshire, leaving at 6am just to make his Boxing Day debut!

Richians had a clear game plan for the second half of rugby. Kick to the corners and use the elements until they won a line out. Then they would use their superior lineout to win quality ball. This was a great game plan, until debutant Downes had enough of them mauling Cryptians back and sacked every lineout thereafter with occasional help from King. Richians were stuck. Their best option had been taken away from them and they had to find answers elsewhere.

Another penalty was given away by Richians in their own half within Blackford's range. It was a good day for Blackford as he slotted it beautifully. 14-20

Sloppy play from Cryptians at the breakdown gave away another penalty, giving Richians’ kicker and scrum-half the chance to close the gap again to just 3 points. 17-20

Old Cryptians won a lineout of their own and good ball off the top gave Blackford a chance to put Drury in through a gaping hole which he darted through and found himself low on support…but luckily this was Callum Drury. The same man who goes quickly from every penalty and scores 100m tries after refusing to put the ball down in his own dead-ball area. If anyone could be trusted to beat his man one-on-one it had to be him. However, it seemed that age was catching up with the poor lad as, for the first time ever, he didn't back himself. Luckily enough for him, Duckworth came from nowhere screaming for the ball out wide. Alas he didn't have the pace the beat the winger and was caught. But the question still remains, where has the old Callum gone?

This attack led to Richians conceding yet another penalty at the breakdown for not staying on their feet. Blackford, who was having a very good game, slotted another. 17-23

With the difference at just 6 points, Richians changed their tactics, focusing on scrummaging to get close enough for a converted try. Their plan was sound but they were unable to capitalise on the opportunity despite having Cryptians camped in their own 22m for 15 minutes and left without a score.

With just minutes left to play Cryptians cleared their lines from a penalty and won a lineout in the opposition half. Cryptians best lineout of the day was followed by a fantastic drive down into the opposition 22m. With gathering momentum, Owen Barton left his wing and hit the pile for an extra push. The noise of the supporters willing Cryptians on kept them going. The call for inside centre Callum Drury to hit the maul came and he gave the extra shove followed by outside centre Sam Blaney! At this point, only scrum-half Jack Medcroft, fly-half Marc Blackford, full-back Gareth Flounders and winger Rich Langbridge were not in the maul! The maul broke down and 2 quick pick-and-goes led to Crypt having the ball on the Richians 5m line under the posts. Blackford sat back in the pocket and was screaming for the ball. With the last play of the game, Medcroft fired the pass to Blackford who casually nudged over a drop-goal! 17-26

FULL-TIME - CRYPTIANS RETAIN THE HORNS

SPECIAL MENTIONS

- Marc “Spanner” Stubbs, for not being the last person out on the field due to Callum Drury's inexcusable lateness.
- Congratulations to Mike “It Was Nice Knowing You” Simmonds on his engagement! He has not commented on the cause of his bad back on Boxing Day morning, however I think we can all guess…
- A huge thank you to all the supporters that came along to Old Richians to watch Cryptians retain the mighty Horns!

Finally I would like to thank everyone with their patience waiting for the “Better Late Than Never” match report.

Gareth “Deadlines” Flounders

Old Cryptians RFC

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