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No Hallowe’en nightmare for OP 2s |
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Posted on Wednesday, November 04 @ 11:29:52 GMT by jacksonc |
 Old Pauline 2nd XV 22 vs Bec Old Boys 2nd XV 14
Saturday 31st October 2009
Friendly
Match Report by Paddy King
With the 1s having a well-earned rest week after recent skydiving exertions, it was up to the 2s to provide the showpiece at fortress TD on a day when rumours abounded of Dan Luger and Matt Perry adding to the ex-Lions contingent in the Vets. A solid-looking team took to the field, and with the oppo hailing from the league above it was promising to be an interesting game. A rugby friendly is usually an oxymoron, and thus it proved to be a niggly and physical encounter. Bec Old Boys had a few massive units up front, and a particularly useful 12. Johno probably realised that a little late, when sat on his arse having been handed off in gifting him an easy try.
However, despite giving away about 20 stone in a makeshift second row, OPs competed well up front: the scrum held its own (good work by the on-loan Jack and Rogan), the lineout functioned well (even better when Bec removed their second jumper so Ben was going up without competition) and mauls were rolled like a Cuban between a maiden’s thighs. It was clear that when the ball managed to make it out past our midfield that we had the oppo on the run out wide. Tiny’s opposite number, in particular, must be having nightmares of being skinned with only inches to the touchline - shades of Jason Robinson at the Gabba, 2001. It was unfortunate, therefore, that the ball barely made it past the centres. Unfamiliar combinations? Poor passing? The jury’s out, but the number of handling errors at times left the pack more vitriolic than Cunis after discovering an erroneous apostrophe.
Other highlights included Jack being sent flying by Popham (clearly Bec Old Boys’ enforcer), a great line-breaking try by Carrsy, Tim Addison gleefully accepting Evsy’s pass down the blindside and cantering in from the 22, and Jon Walters eschewing three easy pop passes for an attempted American Football throw to Trigger that went woefully wrong.
The massive crowd may have been disappointed by the lack of ex-internationals on show, but they were given a compelling game, if sloppy in parts. Bec’s two tries came from two stupid mistakes, but it was tribute to the defence showing more dog than Crufts that they didn’t look like troubling the scorer on their own terms. So three wins on the bounce and a lot of good things to take into a crunch merit match against Old Wimbledonians. This team is building some good momentum and self-belief. Thanks to everyone who turned out/stepped up/stepped down.
Team:
Joe (Tom B), Tiny (Gaz), Trigs, Tom S, Carrsy, Johno, Evsy, Jack, Stu, Rogan, Tim (NFL), Ben, Atty, Jon W, Paddy
Scorers:
Tries: Tiny, Tim, Carrsy. Conv: Tom S (1). Pen : Tom S (1)
MOM: Jon Walters, open-side hero
COM: Jon Walters, no NFL hero
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