Super-sub Love has a day to remember

Apr 18 2008 by David Triggs, Chester Chronicle

CHESTER’S match-winner Simon Love could hardly have made a worst start to his debut at the home of rugby.

Within seconds of coming on as a 45th-minute replacement for Simon Abiero, Love found himself underneath a massive high kick deep in his own half.

The winger made a horrible mess of his attempted catch and as the ball bounced forwards off his chest, he was hit by a thunderous tackle by a Birkenhead Park player.

What a welcome to Twickenham – but Love ended the game a hero after scoring a 74th-minute interception try to win the EDF Energy Intermediate Cup for Chester.

He said: “It was unbelievable. As I’ve got the ball, I’ve just heard the crowd and I was like ‘oh my God, don’t muck this up!’

“I was sprinting away and I sort of got my hand up to celebrate – but then I realised I was a bit further away from the try-line than I thought, so I just concentrated on putting the ball down as soon as I got over. I turned round and was so happy to see the whole team just charging towards me.

“It’s the best moment of my career. The elation was immense.”

And what about that dropped catch?

“It’s pretty much the worst moment of my life that high ball,” admitted Love. “I said ‘don’t drop it, don’t drop it’, then ‘oh dear!’

“I just thought I just better hold on to their player because I didn’t know where the ball was. It was a good introduction to the game – a nice stamping!”