Old Patesians – 58
Oxford Harlequins– 5
P laying their first ever game on the Everest Road pitch in dreadful weather conditions, Pats proved that their intensive pre season training has paid off. The junior side set an example to their senior rugby colleagues who face the Oxford side next month, as even when missing last seasons top try scorer winger Jonny White, Pats superior fitness and pace proved too much for their bulkier opponents in a 10 try rout.
Playing 4 x 20 mins quarters it was agreed to allow full squad rotation and playing up the famous Pats slope for the first time the huge Quins pack tested the new look Pats forwards. After a prolonged forwards tussle captain George Carrie eventually ripped the ball clear and slipped a pass to Tom head who spotted Full Back Lee Hathaway a pace on the halfway line and there was to be no catching him as he raced through the visitors defence for the first of what was to be a 5 try haul for the pacey full back. Pat,s looked to play the game wide and at pace but at times the quick off load was their own undoing and a number of turnovers occurred. The home side’s forwards were quicker to the breakdown and were beginning to provide quick ball for their backs. In a move of play a miss move in midfield opened up the Quins defence as centre Elliot Moore put Hathaway into space who scorched around the floundering quins left wing to touch down in the right corner. Pat’s were under pressure from the massive Quins pack but their aggressive tackling forced errors and when Quins knocked on the following scrum saw Nick Chittock dart towards the 22m to feed centre Zach Robb whose lightning acceleration took him over near the posts for a well taken try on his debut for the club. Pats forwards & backs were rampant now but all to often their over exuberance lead to the ball being spilled in the contact area. The rain poured down as the 2nd quarter began and the visitors rallied round attacking up the hill but excellent midfield tackling from Sam Colbert-Smith and Elliot Moore thwarted their efforts and when Fly Half Jamie Leach produced his trade mark hack through the Pats were judged offsite preventing a certain score. Receiving the ball in his own half Colbert –Smith spotted space behind visitor’s lines and produced an intelligent kick taking Pats deep into the visitor’s territory. Lee Hathaway chased and gathered and he found Andrew Cox on his right who crashed through two tacklers but the try was harshly adjudged to be held up. From a line out on the Harlequins were judged offside at a line out on their 5 metre line an Nick Chittock to a tap penalty and darted forwards it was big Will Safe who’s strength took him over taking Pats to a commanding 24 – 0 lead at the end of the halfway stage.
From the re-start Pats found themselves in possession in the Oxford side’s half and after a typical Carrie charge up the middle he offloaded to George Davis who crashed over but again the score was disallowed. With Quins in possession they foolishly chose to kick down the throat of speedster Lee Hathaway again who took needed no second invitation to put the burners on and raced 40 metres to complete his hat-trick, converted by himself. The visitor’s only effective attacking play came from their huge lumbering forwards who rumbled forward time and again. Pressure on the home side’s line came from a series of penalties conceded for offside at the breakdown and when Pat’s did not retire 10 meters penalties additional ground was lost. Quins used their bulk and charged towards the line and the combined weight of their effort proved too much and their number eight bludgeoned his way over for a well deserved try. Indignant at having their lines crossed Pat’s response was immediate and they retaliated with a blistering move right from the re-start. Swift passes along the line and a move off the training ground took Pat’s 5 meters out and ever present captain George Carrie ripped the ball from the maul and fed left winger George Davis who dived over to nullify the Quins try taking the score at the end of the 3rd quarter to 36-5.
Going into the final quarter the contest was long since over and the visitor’s heads were down. In spite of numerous penalties needlessly conceded at the breakdown, Pats physicality and stamina combined with their pace meant they could finish their brave but exhausted opponents off in style. With the forwards finally releasing the ball earlier the backs were rampant and ran in 4 more tries in the final quarter of the match. Fly half Jamie Leich made a scything break and fed back row Will Safe a short pass for him to score his second. Leich himself saw a huge gap in the defence and cruised under the posts through a bewildered looking Quins backline and points machine Lee Hathaway helped himself to two more scores before the final whistle taking his personal tally to 33 points.
An excellent result but much to work on for their tougher encounter against Witney at Everest road next weekend.
