OLDFIELD TRIES 1

OLDFIELD CONVERSIONS 1

OLDFIELD PENALTIES 1

OLD PATS COLTS TRIES 3

Tom C
S Handley
E Jones

OLD PATS COLTS CONVERSIONS

S Perris

OLD PATS COLTS PENALTIES 0

This weekend saw our latest outing in round 3 of the U18 National Cup against Oldfield RFC in Bath.

With the wind and rain buffeting the coach all the way there, we suspected that conditions would be challenging, and this was confirmed on our arrival at their pretty but exposed ground. It was blowing a gale on the top of the hill. Someone had thoughtfully planted a line of trees down one side of the pitch giving some shelter, but the open side was another story. A very odd situation of completely different weather across the pitch.

We had a peek at them warming up and, to get the whole team in view, we had to stand back a bit. Tall doesn’t do one of their lads justice and, adding in the wind, the lineout looked like it might be a struggle. However, we’d picked an extremely talented team ourselves with the pack, in particular, looking as powerful as I’ve ever seen us put out, and plenty of skill and pace behind them.

You can tell when the lads are focussed, and they certainly had their game-faces on. Intensity and work-rate were the messages prior to kick off and they were obviously listening.

From the first whistle Fred B hunted down their fly half forcing a knock on and the rest of the team followed suit with aggressive defence, strong tackling and good organisation. We were perhaps a little too eager though and a bit frantic, overrunning some balls, and dropping a few passes that should have been taken. The wind didn’t help, and a couple of kicks flew beyond the dead ball line giving them a scrum back in our territory.

Plainly you don’t get far in the national cup without being able to play a bit and it was immediately obvious that Oldfield were well drilled, tough and skilful. We had plenty of possession early in the half but were unable to break through. We were dominant in the scrum having picked some absolute units in the front row but, even under pressure, Oldfield were able to mount a sustained attack and, eventually crossed our line near the posts. 7-0.

We roared back and laid siege to their line. Initially they held us out, but illegally so and from the tap penalty, big Tom C forced over in the corner, too wide to covert. 7-5.

Sam was marshalling troops from his fly-half berth and produced a clearing kick from inside his own 22 that, driven by the gale, went fully 80 meters before bouncing into touch near their line. It gave us field position and the title of the longest ever 50/22!

We were knocking on the door again for the rest of the half but a few penalties against us and a few mistakes were halting momentum and weren’t able to score again by half time.

Turning around with the wind now against us, we still felt we were the better team and patience was the message. Stick to the plan and the rewards would come.

Callum, on at the half, caught a deep ball and made one of his characteristically powerful bursts back upfield. Hauled down just short, there followed a period of close combat with Sam H in possession for the final pick and go, right by the posts. Sam P hammered the conversion into the maelstrom with enough vigour it made it through. 7-12.

Ben Shaw, recovered from injury and reinstated at full back, was seeing a lot of the ball as they kicked deep with the wind. That was ok though as he runs back pretty well. From one such electric burst up the far touch, he linked with the ever-supporting Ollie D who looked nailed on for a try, but an excellent last covering tackle stopped us short again. The indefatigable back row cleared out yet again and Ethan crashed over on a pick and go. All three tries scored from a total of about a yard distance. Not pretty but it wasn’t a day for the champagne stuff. Despite a hefty thump, the conversion stalled on a gust. 7-17.

They came back at us and were awarded a penalty for holding on just outside our 22. Opting for the kick, the accurate strike brought them within a converted try of equalising. This was going to the wire!

Charlie W, on at 9 for the second half was barking at the pack, exhorting them, in no uncertain terms to do his bidding and retain their discipline. Barney was a competitive nuisance at the breakdown, Sam H made yards time and again to relieve pressure and Henry was everywhere, making tackles, carrying hard and, crucially producing line out steals when most needed. Up he went, soaring like an Albatross (big wingspan!) ahead of their giant to divert the ball to us and safety.

With only a minute or so left, we finally regathered the ball and wound down the seconds with a series of disciplined rucks until the ref confirmed time in the red. Sam joyfully booted the ball to the car park and the win was ours.

Credit to Oldfield: they played a great game and showed superb sportsmanship despite their disappointment. They were also generous hosts as our exuberant celebrations continued, long and loud, in their clubhouse.

As ever, all the boys put in committed performances and the man-of the match could have gone to any of them. The pack were a united force of defensive determination and attacking vigour. The award, chosen by their team though, went to Sam P for his composed and skilful management of a very tricky game.

On to the next round in January.

Allez les P

Tom Perris