Coalville 1XV 23 - 17 Rasen 1XV

Midlands 2 East (North) results and table

So near yet so far. From a half time score of 17 -17 Coalville managed a penalty and 40 yard drop kick to all but sink Rasen's championship hopes though a promotion play off is still firmly in our sights if all other games are won through to the end of the season.

The red and greens travelled to Leicestershire to take on table topping Coalville in what turned out to be an enthralling match with the forward orientated Rasen game pitted against the pacy running style of the home team.

From the kick off Coalville clearly wanted to play the game at a high tempo and give their speedy backline every opportunity to attack, which soon paid off when having worked themselves close to the Rasen twenty two, an infringement was punished by their fly half with a well taken penalty kick.

Coalville continued their attacking policy, but a thunderous tackle by centre Paul Cook in midfield dislodged the ball and the Rasen pack pounced on the mistake to surge up field. After a series of drives the ball was moved to skipper Dean Hutchinson, finding himself in his old position of wing, to crash over the line to put Rasen into the lead in the ninth minute.

From a line out, which the referee failed to call as not straight, Coalville demonstrated why they have been running up high scores against lesser opposition. Slick handling saw the fullback join the line at pace to create an overlap leaving the red and green defence floundering before passing to the winger who turned on the gas to run in unopposed. The fly half added the conversion and the home team were back in front sending their vociferous partisan fans into raptures.

However this Rasen team has developed under coach Simon Green's tutelage and have learned to become more patient if they go behind. Within three minutes the score board see-sawed back to the visitors when another solid scrum provided the possession for centre Cook to cut an incisive line leaving the home defence flat footed to score close to the posts and leave himself an easy conversion for the extra points.

Coalville soon bounced back with their lively scrum half, who was a constant thorn in the side of the Rasen defence, making another telling break before feeding the dangerous fullback. The spritely nine took a return pass and then fed the winger for another classy try, again converted by the fly half. Undeterred by this Rasen carried on with their game plan and continued to use the forwards before Coalville capitulated to concede a penalty, which was drilled into touch close by the home try line. Like a well oiled machine, the Rasen lineout made a classic catch and drive to force Leigh Dearden over the line to bring the scores level. A seventeen all half time scoreline was a fair reflection of the proceedings with neither side dominating in their contrasting styles.

A pulsating first half had left the spectators salivating at the prospect of an equally thrilling second period, but unfortunately this didn't fully materialise. An early misdemeanour from flanker Ben Chamberlin gave him a ten minute rest in the sin bin and the Coalville fly half gratefully took the opportunity to slot the penalty kick to put his side back in front.

Rasen were left to fight a rearguard action awaiting the return of their miscreant, but Coalville extended their lead by a further three points during his enforced absence. With seemingly nothing else on, the home fullback looked up and launched a drop kick attempt from forty metres. As the ball soared through the air the low groans of the home support suddenly changed into a crescendo of cheers as they realised the ball was going to clear the bar.

The remainder of the half ebbed and flowed with both sides mounting attacks that ultimately came to nought. At the final whistle the sense of relief and joy was etched on the faces of the home team who now, barring an earth shattering mishap, will be promoted automatically at the end of the season as champions.

The whole Rasen team had battled valiantly throughout the match leaving them to ponder if the extra pace of Messrs Everton and Harvey would have made any difference. This is not a denigration of the efforts of those on the pitch as they gave their all. The whole team should be proud of their efforts which gave the large contingent of travelling supporters plenty to cheer about and but for a crucial decision on the perpendicularity of a lineout throw who knows what the final result could have been?

Team: Cole, Oliver, Wootton, Mitchell, Dearden L, Chamberlin, Starling, Hutchinson, Neesham A, John, Dearden A, Cook, Bemrose, Green, Neesham M
Subs: Thornes (used), Barnard and Nicholls (not used)