 |
Pay Subs On-Line |
 |
|
|
Contents |
|
|
|
Who's Online |
|
There are currently, 12 guest(s) and 0 member(s) that are online.
You are Anonymous user. You can register for free by clicking here |
|
|
|
|
|
Forthcoming Fixtures |
|
11 September (RFU week 2)
1st XV play London Exiles 1st at home kick-off 3.00pm
2nd XV play Bec OB 2nd/3 at home kick-off 3.00pm
3rd XV play Staines 4th/4 away kick-off 3.00pm
4th XV play Woking 2nd/2 at home kick-off 3.00pm
18 September (RFU week 3)
1st XV play Old Blues 1st/3 at home kick-off 3.00pm
2nd XV play O.Tiffinian "Club" at home kick-off 3.00pm
4th XV play O.Walcountian 3rd/3 away kick-off 3.00pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
Latest Results |
|
|
04 September (RFU week 1) |
|
| 1st XV | | 34 |
| Old Actonians 1st/4 | | 19 |
|
All results |
|
|
|
|
|
Player Registration |
|
|
|
|
OPs 1st XV chalk up 3rd win of the season |
|
Posted on Thursday, October 29 @ 13:45:13 BST by jacksonc |
 Old Paulines 1st XV 29 - Andover 1st XV 15
Saturday 24th October 2009
London South West 3 League game
Match Report by Squire Radcliffe
Having lost our first home game in a year to Old Wellingtonians obviously did not sit well with the Old Paulines. The old boys, sporting their quintessential OP blazers would hardly have stood for 2 consecutive home defeats.
OPs got off to a good start playing the vast majority in the Andover half. The pack looked solid in the scrum despite the notable shape differences in the front row. The line-out still a little shaky but we cleared up any stray balls well. The score at 0-0 and the OP’s camped in their 22, it appeared, to all but the official, that the pack’s rolling maul had resulted in Raynor crossing the line, only for it to be given held up. It was fair to say that Raynor’s reaction was of displeasure, but watching him go redder than a baboon’s arse with disdain was highly amusing. Some might say it was karma for pi**ing off to Malawi the week before (sorry Rob, last time I’ll bring it up). The pressure remained and soon after a try was scored out wide with the OP left wing being on the receiving end of Trigger's good hands. Considering the wing had dropped a sitter before, it was the least he could do. Sam converted from the touchline impressively….note this compliment is only included in light of what was to follow!!
After the restart followed more of the same from Old Paulines as they rumbled up the pitch. The pack looked hungry for work and Morris happy to provide it. Andover weren’t without their own pressure and in parts looked good in the back line, testing the OPs defence. After another good 5 mins in the Andover 22, Dan Wellings’ welcome return was credited with a try off a well-worked move. Andover finished the first half well but OPs managed to see off the first half without conceding, 14-0 to OPs.
Everything was going relatively well and there was potential to finally get OPs into a positive points difference. Andover had other ideas! Against the wind and with the sun in their eyes they came at us. Soon their 13, who may spend more time in the gym than he does anger management classes, offloaded in the tackle and despite OPs best efforts, could not prevent the resulting overlap leading to a try, 14-7. OPs had to gain their composure or face a torrid second half.
The team responded well and were soon on the offensive. With Morris pulling the strings, he spread the ball wide to the left wing. Dan Wellings, obviously shares a similar ethos with the injured Roberts as he loitered outside the winger looking for glory. Unlike Roberts has managed to do once this season, Wellings scored, finishing off an overlap created and put on a plate for him by the left wing but still showed good gas to score. This gave OPs back their cushion despite Lawrence missing the kick, 19-7.
Looking more settled and keen to make sure they secured victory, OPs responded to the restart well and married life must be going well for Morris as he looked spritely. It wasn’t long before he put Macca through a gap and for an old man he showed good pace and natural aggression to carry all the way to score under the posts. Considering Sam L had made a kick from the touchline, against the wind in the second half and has missed only one so far this season, you would think he would slot this one no problem….obviously not! 24-7.
More of the same followed from OPs with opportunities to score more spurned easily. If it wasn’t looking like a potential win already, no doubt a rollicking from Rod and Liam would have been on the cards. Donal came close to running in one from outside the 22 but some good scramble defence prevented his loveable but ample derriere, aka the J-Lo of props, from crossing the line. Trigger, whilst always reliable in defence and strong going forward, looked to be away until he spilled the ball in contact. Eager to make amends for a rare error he was soon seen striding his long legs up the pitch to step the full back and score under the posts. Sam missed the conversion, it’s almost as if he misses Maxi!
Andover still came back with great credit and their lively scrum-half soon went over for a try in the corner and with a penalty brought themselves inside two scores, but the game finished 29-15.
With a considerably different pack from the previous week, there were some welcome additions most notably Andy Wills’ debut and a return from the bench for Nillsy gave the coaches much to smile about as competition for places looks to heat up. A real depth to the squad will aid our ability to climb higher in the league as the winter sets in.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Related Links |
|
|
|
Article Rating |
|
|
|
Options |
|
|
|
|
Sorry, Comments are not available for this article. |
|
|
|
|
|
