12

Tries 2
Conversions 1
Penalties Conceded 0

10

Tries 2
Conversions 0
Penalties Conceded 0

Warming up on the same pitch as the opposition one could not fail to notice the big looking Gloucester boys and we knew this was going to be a physical encounter.

We kicked off the first half playing into the strong breeze. After starting strongly, Old Cryptians (OCs) skilfully turned us over using their physicality and then made their way up the pitch through powerful forward phase play and this set the tone for much of the game. With this wind, it was hard to get out of our half and OCs continued to turn the screw, particularly up front. After a scrum in our 22, they spread the ball wide to score a well-deserved TRY in the corner but failed to convert. Given their physicality, it felt like this could be a harbinger of things to come and we might be out muscled. However, our team aren’t easily intimidated and don’t take things lying down. It was heartening to listen to the sensible and mature words of both Captain Marvellous Alex Moore together with inspiring pack leader, Charlie Houlston, who remained calm and encouraging with their words of inspiration whilst the OCs conversion was underway.

5-0

Whilst the game turned into a bit of grind, Old Pats had several moments of brilliance including Charlie Houlston’s acrobatic pick and go straight up the middle from a ruck and Alex Moore also did one of his trade mark penalty quick taps with a dummy thrown in to fool the opposition. There were also numerous defensive efforts both from the team and also individuals. This was a game of big hits and our uncompromising man of steel, loose forward Charlie Davis, came into his own felling their strike runners with relish. Tenacious lock, Chong Lu, put in a ton of work in the loose both in defence and also with his support play. Silky fullback, Henry Brock, had a busy morning in attack and defence which he would have enjoyed whilst plucky prop, Ben Chandler, showed his impressive mobility to always ‘be there’ for his team.
It did feel that going into half time one try down would be a good outcome but that was before effortlessly good number 8, Angus Walkers, intervened. After our lads skilfully worked the narrow side through several pairs of hands the ball found Angus. It looked like OCs had the situation covered but with an audacious dummy and a deceptive turn of pace he went over to score a really important TRY. The conversion was missed.

5-5

With the half drawing to an end, one of the big OC backs had a strong, mazy run looking like he would go over for an impressive solo try but our modest and deadly assassin, Angus Walker, was again on hand to fell this powerful lad with a crucial try stopping low tackle. The first half ended even at 5-5 which was a good outcome for us given that we would have the wind and bright sunshine on our backs for the second half.
The second half got off to a great start with our pressure causing a knock on from the OC lads. From the resulting scrum in their half, we got on the front foot with a good push meaning gusty number 8, Angus Walker, was able to run blind making important ground. He made it look like he would go on his own and this sucked in several defenders, but at the last moment, he did a Kieren Read like ‘out the back’ off load to powerful winger, Charlie Langmaid, who still had work to do. Charlie had to use his pace to beat the covering defence and then his brain to run from the corner to almost under the posts making his vital conversion much easier – TRY and conversion.

12-5

It did look like we would now take charge and get a greater buffer but to the credit of OCs they doggedly stuck at their forward dominated game making life difficult for us. We had numerous opportunities to score but could not convert our pressure which was due to a combination of handling mistakes from us and the unyielding physicality from them. One particularly memorable run came from our bulldozing super prop Luke Smith who, after breaking through several tackles, suddenly saw the Red Sea parting in front of him. It looked like he might go all the way but he was eventually felled, not before showing great awareness to off-loaded to our gritty blond hooker Sam Woodward who demonstrated impressive fitness to somehow be on his shoulder. Unfortunately for us, OCs managed to snuff out this fantastic opportunity. After more see-saw, OCs grafted their way up the field to score a well worked try in the corner but were not able to convert.

12-10

Would we be able to hold out? It looked like OCs would score another try under our posts but somehow, though some desperate defence, we held them up over the line. There were several lads involved with this heroic effort, although it was hard to see who they were. Nevertheless, it was another sign of the ‘do or die’ attitude of our boys who never let their team down. Another OC attack looked to set up a certain try to win the game with one of their big lads on the charge down the touchline. Somehow courageous winger, Isaac Evans, who is usually a phenomenal try scorer, survived a brutal hand off to bring this big man down disrupting the off load just enough to allow our scrambling defence to snuff out this final attack.
What a nail-biting win for our fabulous team and well done to the spirited OC team for a fantastic game which they might have won. The hallmark of our talented team is that we are all about learning and improving and there are several elements for us all to reflect on particularly at the ruck. As is now custom for the Old Pat’s supporters, there were always episodes of palpitations, chest pains, anxiety attacks and with some reaching for the Valium or hip flask and for the coaches – both!! However, these boys just delight in playing their exciting brand of rugby seeming not too concerned about our health and that is perhaps why we love watching them despite the accelerated ageing experience we often endure.

Training on the 4G this Tuesday 6pm at Tigers and then a game against Cheltenham North, day and venue to be confirmed. Photos of the warm up as I forgot to take photos in the game – too many things going on!!! Thank you to referee Ray Davis who contributed to a great game of rugby for both teams and supporters. Happy 16th Birthday to Johnnie Hogg whose cake we all enjoyed and good luck to the Tommies lads who have their mocks this week. Finally, a MASSIVE THANK YOU to the generous Tigers Club (particularly Nick Ralph) for their generosity and kindness in accommodating us at the last minute given the waterlogged pitch at Everest Road – Thank you.

Hein le Roux