Old Patesians – 34
Coney Hill – 0
Referee: Brian Barclay
A much improved performance from the Old Patesians allowed them to record a comfortable win against local rivals, Coney Hill, in their National League Three South West clash at the Metz Way.
At the kick-off Coney Hill had yet to pick up a win in this years campaign but they fancied their chances as Pats had to face a stiff wind in the first half.
Pats shrugged off the meteorological disadvantage with disdain and secured two penalty line-outs in the first few minutes. They won the ball on the throw but the Hill rearguard action was mightily impressive and Pats were thrust back with crunching tackles from the back row trio and good line speed from the three quarters blitz defence.
Coney Hill fly-half, Danny Brown, was trying to use the wind to set up good field positions from which to launch attacks but too often his lofted spiralling punts were picked off by the Pats receivers who countered with pace deep into their opponents half.
The game was being played at an exceptional level of intensity and yet with absolute integrity within the laws. There was no skulduggery, just two sets of hard men trying to seek out a weakness in their opposition with guile, aggression and strength.
Steve Bryant, the Pats centre, was at his effervescent best and when he followed up a drop-out from skipper Adam Seager he claimed the ball in the faces of the intended receivers with a miraculous jump and turn and set up an attacking maul. The move ended when Seager deceived the defence with a swivel and a show and went over between the posts. He converted his own try and Pats were looking almost arrogant and full of self-belief.
They should have known better as they were penalised for a delayed feed in the line-out and then marched back another ten metres for sulkily throwing the ball over the touch line.
Hill right wing, Max Whelan, punished their petulance with a great burst down his line but Pats No. 8, James Pettigrew, wrapped him up with a wonderful try saving tackle.
Pats were now back in charge and wing, Henry Bird, returning to form at last, made two classic breaks from deep to wreak havoc in the Hill defence which was stretched but resolute. They had to resort to illegal tactics to stem a typically robust Pettigrew lunge and Seager hoofed over a penalty goal to give Pats a lead of 10 points to nil at the break. From the restart kick-off Bird collected an overcooked drop-out and with a magical weaving run carved out a huge hole in the floundering midfield defence. Pettigrew was on hand at the breakdown and scored a try between the posts converted by the ‘oh so cool’ Seager.
Pats clicked into overdrive and when their scrum ruptured and wheeled the Hill feed, left wing Chris Mellon took the blind route and scored in the corner.
Pats were in no mood for compromise and for most of the second half the Hill were clamped deep in their own territory. When they tried to break out with some adventurous running they were smashed back by a rock solid set of seasoned defenders who gave them little chance to exploit their attacking capabilities.
Both sides emptied their replacement benches but Pats had the game sewn up and coasted home to a good win with further tries from replacement Matt Dean and centre Barney Pascall and a conversion from Seager.
Coach Dan Eddie was cock-a-hoop with a clean sheet win and the valuable bonus point for racking up four tries.
Star Player: Old Pats flanker – Ben Salt
By Bob Ellis
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