A cloudy morning gave way to some very favorable conditions for rugby on a sunny afternoon at Stormont, as the traditional 2.30 kick off saw us get underway. The early stages of play indicated a much closer encounter than many onlookers had perhaps anticipated. However, CI looked sharp in attack and at times showed good hands across a pacey looking back line. It would be from here that they would take first blood with an ambitious kick through, that was touched down and converted for 7-0 to the visitors. It was shortly after the restart that, absolutely new to rugby, James Murray fielded his first high ball, there was a crescendo of anticipation on the sideline as how this was going to turn out...which was rather well as it turned out. Like a well greased limousine he glided through some would-be tacklers running into space, a feat he would repeat several times over the course of the afternoon.

Some aggressive tackling by captain Graham Taylor, saw Service set up their best attacking platform of the half, winning a penalty and resultant lineout in the CI twenty-two. There was some good stuff here in the tight quarter with Steven ‘the Blender’ Ritchie making some great bulloching runs. However, a handling error would see the play stopped and CI clear their lines. Unfortunately, this would come as a theme for the day - as shortly after some hard running from Johnny McEwen and tenacious sniping from Chris McKee saw Service close to going over again with hopes dashed by silly last second handling errors. The half ended again with Service coming close to a score, with Johnny McEwn again making a good line break and offloading to Thomas Bell who in turn tried to set loose Tim. Tim however, had other ideas and hit the pass on the volley setting up a foot race to the corner which unfortunately the CI winger had the better of.

Half time was supplemented by a glass of good red, a nice cheese and a cracker as myself and team manager, Gareth Lewis, debuted the ‘press hamper’. All who viewed it were suitably impressed and I was filled with considerable optimism when young Richie looked me dead in the eyes and informed me ‘the big man is coming back on’ - I finished the jalapeno olive I was eating and prepared for an entertaining second half.

And start well, it did. Tim kicked deep into the CI twenty two securing good field position. The next minutes saw some strong Service pressure with several scrums close to the try line. The pressure was rewarded with a try from Thomas Bell who barged over close to the posts making the extras an easy kick for Tim. The second half unfolded into some great running rugby from both sides and genuinely entertaining stuff from two team looking like they were enjoying their rugby. Unfortunately at the end a late CI try would seal teh away victory despite a heroic last ditch tackle by Conor Crutchley.

This was a real treat for the spectator, an entertaining game of rugby in splendid conditions. Despite coming up short the Service lads can come away with pride in a really solid performance. A little more accuracy in passing when it really counted and the game could have swung the other way. There were some very good individual performances as well. Tim grew into his position at stand off and Johnny McEwen was destructive with ball in hand. Graham Taylor was notable for a real ‘gutsy’ captain's performance and never taking a backward step. However, this week's man of the match goes to James Murray, for his very first game of rugby and showing us how it's done.