Flying start for the police

West Midlands Police (WMP) RFC started the season with a fantastic hard-fought victory against the RAF, who arrived with a large squad made up of players from national divisions one, two and three. They had prepared for the game for three days and were using it as a warm-up for their cup campaign.

The game started at a fast and furious pace, with an early try conceded by WMP providing the early wake-up call the police needed and their experience began
to take a grip, with both scrum and lineout dominant, and led from the front by the legend known as “Sumo” to his mates, Mark Linnett.

Then Captain Blake Bennett at number 10 called the shots and went through a series of finely-tuned moves, using the speed and quality of the talented back line to result in a number of excellent tries. “Tootsie” Andy Turner danced over for three tries
and winger Dave Sproson for two.

The police forwards began to dominate their younger opposition and, in WMP tradition, started to bully them into submission.

Such was the domination of the front row – made up of old boys Sumo, Tom (who halved the front-row average age) and Daz (I am Spartacus) Moore – James Rook touched down twice from pushover tries, the second being from at least 20 metres out.

Towards the end of the game the police switched off slightly and conceded two late gifted tries and the final score was 41-19 to WMP.

This game was a tough encounter but a great test of
character and kicked off a very full early-season programme for the squad.

Team manager Inspector Steve Blake said: “We have a great opportunity this season of progressing in the police cup but we need commitment, which I have seen in abundance today, and with old boys like Mark and Daz coming out fighting every game, hopefully, this could be our year.”

WMP then played against West Midlands Fire Service RFC before the PSUK regional finals.

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