Sat 18 Oct 2025
A great day at Legends Lane for those wearing the black and amber!
Legends gave the Peacocks the biggest defeat in the history of the two clubs with a superb first-half performance. Apart from a thirteen-minute spell after the break, Shelford were never in this game. Thirty-three to nil down by half-time, with Josh Parkhouse sprinting in for three. He could have had four but fed inside to Will Titherington to finish. Liam Fitts, who had a fine game, dashed through the cover, adding the try bonus point, and Josh Sharp added four of the five conversions.
Fitts worked tirelessly across the field, assisting in two tries, making several dominant tackles, and taking a blow to the head which required blood to be staunched in his Player of the Match performance. Brendan Marume had a fine game too at full-back — fast and elusive, he kept Shelford pinned in their own half by kicking long and running into space. He was involved in several tries and shared Player of the Match with Fitts.
It took until the second half for Shelford to realise looking wide was not the option, and for fifteen minutes they dominated possession, driving through the middle with Oliver Rudling and later Willian Dorasamy making ground.
Legends, frustrated by their lack of possession, were penalised consecutively, giving Shelford field position; Frazer McGown being yellow-carded for repeated infringements. Shelford's forwards punched on and, after several phases, found Rudling wide, who fed Lewis Cracknell, who popped up to Dorasamy, who was cheered over the line by a relieved bench who had feared a rout. A few minutes later, Cracknell scored after some fine driving, eluding several tackles on his way over the line, and a revival was whispered.
Legends had lost their rhythm, but their defence stayed steady. From a scrappy scrum, Sharp moved the ball, Josh Parkhouse ran from his 22m followed by brother Charlie. They got a little tangled and the move ended, but confidence was restored. Possession and territory followed. At a scrum, Legends were awarded a free kick; Sharp tapped and Jones thumped on, the ball went wide to Marume, who outflanked the cover, passing inside to Arun Johal to score.
Cracknell restarted, Gibbs found his way barred and fed inside to Tom Lewis, who set Adam Green striding upfield. He popped it to Connor Turner, who passed to Tim Hughes to close the match under the posts.
Inevitably, with so much possession, Legends left a couple out there, but the handling is much improved, as is ball retention in the tackle. Jones, Walker, and Tim Hughes made the yards; Marume used his speed, joined the line, and the ball quickly and smoothly found Josh Parkhouse, who took full advantage. As the pack settled, the scrum penalties came, and Sharp found the corners. With the ball in hand, sweeping movement now typical at Legends Lane extended the defence, and opportunities followed. Titherington at 12 punched back into the forwards, and Tom Avis then Chris Gibbs moved the ball effectively, with Josh Sharp distributing in space and time, creating tries near and wide.
A comprehensive victory, held in check by a spirited and resilient Shelford, but they were outpaced in the backs and outmuscled up front.
Next week, Legends travel to Rochester to play Medway RFC, currently 7th and struggling at level 5 but not to be underestimated.
The next home fixture will be Westcliff, and all lunchers can book in with Les Wilsher on 07827 373937.
