OC's
36 - 19 Old Pelhamians
A
six nations weekend with England v Wales, Ireland v Italy
and Scotland v France meant an early kick off for the rematch
with Pelhamians. All in all, as the Colonel might say, it
was a finger licking good prospect for this jam packed weekend
of rugby.
In the OCs previous encounter with the Pelhamians, the OCs
were beaten 45-12 and it was a comprehensive victory for
a team 2 or 3 leagues above ourselves. Talk was that if
we had our full back line out, the game would have been
much closer. So, with early commitments from many of the
OC team and with an unusual amount of injuries (mainly comprised
of the older '94 models) the team needed a bit of rejigging.
As George Lucas said: "everybody has talent, it's just a
matter of moving around until you've discovered what it
is". So with props needed, Tom DW bravely stepped up to
the plate at prop (and performed admirably) and RM kindly
stepped up as our new number 5 (solid in the scrums and
every tackle). Maybe that is where their "talent" truly
lies... Coupled with a strong backrow and a solid midfield
comprising of Matt Mann, Rod and Euan, it was a tantalising
spectacle in store for the fans (Gor put initial estimates
at over 100).
As their team took to the field, you could tell the Pelhamians
were (a) the bigger team and (b) a bunch of dirty players
(mainly because they were primarily made up of low class
South African citizens). From the kick off, Pelhamians were
showing us why they beat us the last time we met. Their
pack and back line consisted of powerful runners with the
necessary skills to ensure a punishing score line as per
the last game. From a turnover ball in their 22, they managed
to show off some silky skills, excellent ball retention
and the art of the offload to score the first try of the
game. It was a great try and looked all too familiar for
the OCs.
However, this was only a blip in the OC game plan. From
then on, it was the OCs who reigned supreme. At both line
out and scrum, the forwards produced solid performances.
Much of the praise should go to the front five (Rob Coles,
Steve, Tom DW, RM and Josh) who locked out any drives by
the heavier Pelhamian pack. The OC pack also produced another
fine display of line out work with Steve Hartland hitting
his man every time. In the first half, the OCs touched down
4 times with some fine interplay between forwards and backs.
The first of the OC tries was a superb line out, set and
drive and a couple of good passes down the line for Rod
gave him the opportunity to round his man and the full back
to touch down. There was, however, no celebratory jig from
the left footed side-stepper.
The most notable moment of the first half was a plethora
of Matt Mann dummies starting from his own 22. Matt Dawson
dummied 4 people in the 1997 lions, the crowd reckon Matt
Mann doubled this figure in his scorching 50 yard break
deep from the OC half (how they did not realise he would
dummy again after the 4th time, no-one knows). Having made
it to the opposition 22, the ball was beautifully recycled
quickly through Rob Gillon, Ben, George and Gabriel on the
left side of the field and the ever present Wagon was on
hand to support with a quick pass out to Rod and a blistering
line from Paulos meant a touch down to score what could
be a contender for try of the season.
The third was another fine line out followed by three or
four phases of recycling and then fed out to the backs by
a slick Tom Humphreys pass, followed by a dummy scissors
miss to Paulos who then fed Rod to touch down under the
posts. There was no celebratory jig from the hair-highlighted
pikey.
The fourth try was a simple backs move in the opposition
22 with a crash ball for Rod. Once again, he failed to dance
after scoring.
In the second half, it was the Pelhamians who scored first.
Obviously, the potential humiliation of losing to a side
they have thrashed 45-12 and who are 3 leagues below them
fired them on; and it worked. They began to use their number
5 through the midfield a lot. His size was initially a fear
factor, but with the like of George and Steve Hartland psychotically
going to the guy to tackle him each and everytime, he was
rendered ineffective (and very eggs on). He did, however,
on this occasion take the tackles, offload to supporting
backs in the midfield for the pikey inside centre to feed
a pass to the winger to go over.
Whatever. A minute later, the OCs secured their scrum in
the middle of the field. A crafty run and loop from Matt
Mann and Euan with a pass to the Kellett on the 22 lef the
winger with space to run but work to do. Work he did as
he cut in and then out and rounded their winger and full
back to touch down.
A 3rd try for the Pelhamians was conceded softly and our
final try (and his fourth of the day) was scored by none
other than Rod. In the end, the OCs gave it their all and
rightfully triumphed. The Pelhamians showed why they are
disliked as a team (and a race) by their off the ball antics.
Eye gouging, unnecessary stamping off the ball and throwing
punches is not the way to play. The OCs took their medicine
and walked off the pitch victorious in more ways than one.
"It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor
the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change"
Charles Darwin - this is what the OCs are all about...
Our thoughts are with Ben Pusey who played a valiant game
with some excellent tackles and made a nuisance of himself
at the breakdowns but who, unfortunately, broke his wrist
in the last minute of the game. He will be missed for the
rest of the season.
Chausettes D'Or goes to Matt Mann who produced an unbelievable
display at 10 by turning over their ball in nearly every
tackle, making some great breaks and generally dictating
the way the game was played.
Awesome.
K-Lo
For
above quotes, please visit: http://www.quotations.me.uk/