Old Patesians – 0
Old Albanians – 15
Old Patesians dreams for promotion to National League Two were dashed when they were beaten by Old Albanians in their play-off at the Woollams Playing fields.
Pats can be proud of their achievements this year and there was no disgrace in losing against the runners-up of National League Three London and South East. They went down to a side who’s players are all paid and the club seems to have limitless resources and magnificent facilities.
OA’s programme notes announced that this was a day of destiny for both clubs with no quarter expected or given and to the victor promotion and the vanquished, nothing! This proclamation was a trifle dramatic but the day was perfect for open running rugby, dry, bright on a huge pitch and OA’s had all the tools for to exploit the conditions.
Man for man their pack was bigger than the Pats and their backs were tall, muscular, very experienced and throughout the entire game never wasted possession. Pats struggled in the tight from the kick-off and their normally ever so reliable catchers let the occasion get to them and they dropped or fumbled the high ball at crucial times.
OA’s fly-half Richard Gregg had the ability of all the quality players to make time for himself when under pressure and his touch kicks and lofted garryowens kept his forwards on the front foot and the Pats pinned deep in their own half. OA’s opened the scoring when Pats knocked-on inside their own five metre line and with the scrum advantage number eight Ross Hamilton was unstoppable as he barged over for a try in the right hand corner.
Pats were brave in the tackle and their defence was sound, although always stretched and it seemed that one mistake would lead to a certain try. OA’s dropped out open side flanker Paul Gustard to be first receiver from their dominant scrum and this created an overlap for centre Terry Adams to loop with his wing partner and go over for a smart try converted by Gregg.
Now Pats were really under the cosh with their scrimmaging regularly being wheeled on their own feed and OA’s being awarded the softest of turnovers. OA’s backs feasted on the glut of quality possession and they were good to watch as all along the line the ball was taken and moved on in full flight. Pats lived off scraps of possession but then the old nemesis reappeared as they lost the ball in contact or stripped of hard earned ball at the break down. OA’s lead at by 12 points to nil at the break but for the Pats lung busting defence the score line could have been well beyond recovery.
Pats had a good second half with a fair share of possession form all phases but they were too easily contained by their hosts defence which was brutally clinical. Centre Steve Bryant, skipper Adam Seager and winger Stu Taylor all had good darts for the line but OA’s always had their measure and they were cut down or bullied into touch before they could cross the whitewash.
Pats emptied their replacement bench but fresh legs brought them no joy as their scrum continued to suffer and without primary possession any hopes of making an impact on the game were rapidly dwindling. Gregg landed a penalty goal to extend the OA’s lead and with ten minutes left Pats went for broke.
They finally established a good field position on the OA’s goal line and pummelled away with several phases of pick and drive. OA’s prop Adam Gelman was sin-binned for collapsing the maul and when Pats eventually got over the line the referee ruled that the ball had been held up.
OA’s finished worthy winners but Pats were no ‘vanquished’. They were just beaten by a better side on the day in front of well over a thousand supporters.
By Bob Ellis
Man of the match - Paul Gustard
