OLD PATS TRIES

8

OLD PATS CONVERSIONS

5

Olly D X 3
Benji G X 2
Barney HS
Luke S
Sam H

OLD PATS PENALTIES

0

DRYBROOK TRIES

2

DRYBROOK CONVERSIONS

1

DRYBROOK PENALTIES

0

The corresponding away match, earlier in the year, was played out on one of the soggiest pitches imaginable. That was quite a leveller but we perceived that, with firmer conditions under-foot, we could use our greater speed and mobility to create chances. The plan, as it often is, was to move the ball quickly and run, run, run.

We started fast and exerted pressure from the first whistle. A clearing kick from defence landed in the hands of Ben Shaw with room to run. Many a team have learned to regret that occurrence and so it proved today. A scorching return, drifting at high speed past would-be tacklers and a deft chip behind the last man saw two chasers waiting on the bounce to gather. It fell to Benji, not Ben in close support who crossed untroubled for the first try. Though it was wide of the posts , Sam steered the conversion with accuracy and it was 7-0.

A scrum in the defensive 22 for Drybrook was unceremoniously driven back giving us bonus possession with the opposition scrambling. Spinning it wide dragged the cover out of position and gave space for Conor to make a thunderous carry. Dragged down, the quick recycle came to Luke who, equally powerfully, crashed over. 14-0.

Alex and Olly in the centre were finding space and time to run. Going through a gap on a nice outside line, Olly was hauled down just short but Barney saw the opportunity for a snipe and made the line. The kick hit the post. 19-0.

A nice line and a missed tackle let Drybrook back into the game with a well taken try but the conversion attempt was skewed wildly off target. 19-5

Back we came with some very pleasing rugby; quick ruck ball and nice offloading saw us reach the business end of the pitch again with Ben, once more, cutting through. Desperate tackling pulled him down short but Benji was again on hand to profit from his momentum scoring close to the ruck. The bonus point secured on the stroke of half time. 26-5 at halfway.

Early in the second period, we decided to utilise our maul and it proved effective gaining a penalty in our own half, kicked deep. Again we caught and drove sucking in defenders until the backs were released. Olly D ran strongly but was grappled to a halt. He kept his feet and his nerve though and was propelled over the line by the supporting forwards. 33-5.

There aren’t many downsides to having a large squad to pick from but one of them may be that, in order to spread the minutes around, you change a lot of players at the break.

Today this seemed to produce a noticeable lack of cohesion as the new starters got up to speed.

Drybrook hung onto the ball better as our intensity dropped off and, using their huge pack, they strung some phases together. Our tackling, usually so committed, was lacking for a while and they scored their second try.

Skipper Ollie roused the lads and reiterated the necessary standards. Finally, we managed to hold onto the ball for a while and play some rugby. Barney R, again showing his versatility by playing in the back rather than front row, was excellent in turning over ball twice then popped up in midfield to carry deep into the 22. It looked like he’d make the line but was stopped just short by some desperate defence. The presence of Olly D is almost taken for granted now and there he was again for the offload to cross for his second of the afternoon. 38-12.

Alex, having taken a bang, was replaced at 12 by Sam H who loves to run at tired defenders. From the kick off he took a short pass at pace and held off all cover to score under the posts. 43-12.

Sam repeated the charge into space past a now dispirited team but, chose to flatten the winger rather than outpace him this time. The ball was turned over but, in a commendable but ultimately futile attempt to run from defence, Olly D intercepted the pass and gratefully cruised over for his hat trick score. The successful conversion was the final act and we’d reached our half century.

Credit to Drybrook. They kept coming at us all game and played with power and commitment. We had a little more pace and mobility on the plastic pitch which counted in our favour today.

Next week, weather permitting, sees our rescheduled top of the table clash with Cirencester. Allez les Pats!

Allez les Pats

Tom Perris