27

Tries 5
Conversions 1

12

Tries 2
Conversions 1

On what felt like a dry spring morning, we entertained Drybrook for their return visit to our Everest Road fortress. Due to a combination of injuries and other commitments, we had a depleted squad but still managed to put out 18 with the welcome cameo appearances of Tom Hopkinson and Alfie Beer who bostered our ranks.

We also needed to rearrange our team with Sam Woodward taking one for the boys by moving to prop, Johnnie Hogg moving to fly half and Charlie Langmaid playing centre. Drybrook arrived with 15 so no reserves for them. They won the toss and decided to play downhill for the first half. From the whistle, fly half Johnnie Hogg, placed a juicy hanging kick which allowed us to win precious possession through a great take by fearless flanker Max Stanle- Jones who then put in a surging run then off-loading to charging centre Charlie Langmaid who looked to be in with a chance of a try but could not hold on with the scrum going to Drybrook. Unfortunately, soon afterwards the Drybrook hooker went off with a dislocated shoulder. With no replacements, both teams opted to play the rest of the game with 14, losing both number eights.

A further passage of play saw irrepressible Max SJ, who had a great game for us, going on another one of his physical charges setting up a ruck and with quick ball from ever reliable scrumhalf, Harry Burridge, flyhalf Johnnie Hogg was able to put always dangerous winger Isaac Evans into space and he had to be well tackled. Through our skilful forwards, with surging runs from several of our hard men including dynamic flanker Angus Walker and brave lock Chong Lu, we put more phases together allowing us to edge towards the Drybrook line. Finally, our inspirational Captain and dominating lock Josh Hansen, who had a very influential game all round, was on hand to pick and go and score the opening TRY with this telescopically long arms.
5-0
With more possession and field position it looked like we might dominate this game, but to their credit, Drybrook where not cowered by us absorbing a lot of pressure and then playing us at our own game with an exciting counterattack from their own half and this had to be snuffed out by our abrasive flanker, Charlie Davies, who put in a typically thumping tackle to stop their danger man. However, through their determined forwards, Drybrook continued to rumble into our half and then our 22 and some ‘do or die’ defence from our lads temporarily halted them but it was not enough and they did eventually go over from a pick and go to score a well worked TRY which they converted to take the lead.
5-7
With the seconds ticking away towards half time, it looked like the visitors would go into the break with a slender lead but as we all already know, our lads play what they see. From a bit of scrappy play, we won quick ruck ball with the ball finding our versatile prop, Luke Smith, charging on the narrow side and he showed a deft touch to get a great pass away to flying winger Isaac Evans who then drew his man and passed to centre and try sensation, Charlie Langmaid, who powered in to score his first TRY of three in the corner.
10-7
Tensions were building and tempers were fraying with our visitors, and, despite a good education, I learned some new vocabulary (which I might try on you later!), but referee Chris used his trademark iceman calmness to de-escalate the situation and get everyone safely to the half time break with us slightly ahead. With our usual leaders away, it was an opportunity for other voices to be heard in the team talk and it showed that all our boys are leaders in their own right. Whilst the encouraging words came from different players, the messages were the same – stay positive, well done, play our own game, keep calm and the tries will come. It is a privilege listening to the wise words of our talented young men.

The second half got underway with us receiving the kick off deep in our own half. It might have been tempting to run, as we often do, but Johnnie used his nous to make the most of the conditions (slope and breeze) and put in a massive howitzer of a kick into the opposition 22 immediately making 70 meters and putting us on the front foot. From the breakdown, omnipotent Adam Ryder, was on hand to make important yards before passing to deceptive Charlie Langmaid who sucked in several defenders. There followed a bamboozling one-handed pass to Isaac Evans, who often makes Louis Rees-Zammit look slow, and he was able to use the space to score a great TRY in the corner.
15-7
A while later we won a scrum against the head with Duane Vermeulen like powerful now number 8, Adam Ryder (stop it Adam, I can’t keep up with you!!!), setting up a ruck. We all know that Adam has a great rugby brain, and he combines this with impressive physicality to be able to play in almost any position on the field. From this breakdown, the ball moved slickly through several pairs of hands to find Charlie Langmaid who used his power and pace to go over for his second well-deserved TRY which he converted.
22-7

The game looked comfortable for us but you can never take your eye off the ball in sport and, despite our valiant defensive efforts, Drybrook put together a string of phases after an exciting counter-attack and with a series of clever off loads they scored a really good try up the hill.
22-12

As the game was drawing to an end, increasingly confident hooker, Jack ‘Faf’ le Roux, helped to set up our final try with a useful pick and go to put Drybrook on the back foot. The ball then found Josh Hansen who made more precious yards (he made a lot of metres today) before passing to instinctive Isaac Evans who expertly made another 2 on 1 for Charlie Langmaid to score his final and well-deserved hattrick TRY and the game ended shortly afterwards.
27-12

With some of our more dominant players either injured or away, today was an opportunity for our quieter, but no less important players to step out from the shadows which they did with aplomb. Tenacious prop, Sam Woodward, who has worked so hard to noticeably bulk up, put in a ton of work in both the tight and loose and showed impressive hands to take 2 tricky catches as well as making numerous important tackles. Harry Burridge returned from his exciting foray at inside centre last week to his usual scrum half position today showing the passing skills and awareness of Aaron Smith and this gave our stand-in stand-off, Johnnie Hogg, precious moments to show his flare both with his kicking game and also his lovely distribution which set our back line alight. It was great to see the return of our strongman and lock, Kai Sherrington, with his physicality making an immediate impact against a hard running Drybrook pack. Given his quiet-man prowess, Kai must surely be closely related to Duhan of the well known West Highland van der Merwe clan!!!

We wish dynamic duo, Ben Lord and Ben Chandler, a speedy recovery from their respective injuries. Thank you to Tom and Alfie for helping us out today and we hope you enjoyed your outing with us. A special mention to the find of the season thus far, speed merchant extraordinaire, Chris Woodward, who had a great game at referee. It is hard refereeing at the best of times, but even more difficult when done only occasionally. With his endearing calmness he facilitated an enjoyable game – thank you Chris. Finally, well done to our amazing team who continue to astound us with their phenomenal play and are learning all the time about how to adapt their style, to keep improving and winning. Rugby is a team game and the fact that we play such an exciting brand is a tribute to all our individual players, the combinations they make and the fantastic interplays that keep us supporters coming back to watch our amazing team.

Hein le Roux

(Posted by Laurence Hale)