25

Tries 5
Conversions 0

21

Tries 3
Conversions 3

We played uphill into the wind in the first half which was always going to be a challenge. Perhaps surprisingly, due to the conditions, we had all the early play with the ball moving between our backs and forwards with aplomb and we were not turned over. After this period of sustained pressure, we went through several phases with the ball finally finding clever loose forward, Angus Walker, running another one of his incisive lines and it looked like he would go on to score in the top right corner. However, selflessly, he passed to classy winger, Charlie Langmaid, who was in space and accelerated past his man to score a fantastic opening TRY in the corner.
5-0

Tewkesbury came straight back at us soon after our score through aggressive forward play meaning they turned us over and went through several phases to score a well-deserved try which they converted.
5-7

From the kick off, we penned Tewkesbury into their own 22 and from which they could not escape. Our forwards kept the screw turned on them forcing a desperate miss pass to go loose and who other than crowd favourite and loitering loose forward Ben Lord was on hand to pounce showing a great pair of hands to pick up the ball and power through to score a well deserved TRY.
10-7

Not to be outdone, Tewkesbury took us on at our own game counter attacking off our wayward clearance kick to score a well worked TRY in the corner. Their kicker then put in an incredible effort to curl the ball between the post.
10-14

The visitors then showed their versatility from the scrum with their athletic number 8 going blind from the base to make a surging run into our 22 before he was stopped. However, from the resulting ruck and with our defence at sixes and sevens, one of their big lads put in a ‘pick and go’ to crash over for a TRY which they converted.
10-21

It did look like Tewkesbury would go into the second half with a healthy buffer for us to chip away at, but as we now know, our boys make up their own destiny. From our possession, we were able to make our way up hill into their half. To be honest, it looked like nothing much was on until visionary fly half, Barney Heath-Smith, threw an audacious Aaron Cruden like double miss pass to find lethal Charlie Langmaid in space on the outside. With more than just a whiff of JPR about his playing style, he broke through the tackles of several scrambling defenders and just as it looked like the cover defence had him cornered, he did one if his trademark one handed passes back inside to Barney who showed great awareness to track the play across and was able to go over for a breath-taking TRY.
15-21

During the first half there were numerous interplays including glitzy fullback, Henry Brock, who calmly took a high ball and used his pace and guile to break the line making important yards. Just as it looked like this counterattack might be snuffed out, he got a pass away to omnipotent lock, Charlie Houlston, who was somehow on his shoulder and who then managed to off-load to mobile prop and grafter, Ben Chandler, who had to be well felled.

There were numerous other notable defensive performances, including valiant tackling from centre Sam Stevens who never misses his man. Versatile lock Chong Lu and gusty hooker Jack ‘Faf’ le Roux again put a ton of defensive work in the loose whilst rarely ruffled scrum half Harry Burridge got the ball away efficiently and had a few exciting darting runs helping to make our play less predictable. Steely winger, Dan Coolican Davies, also had a busy morning on the right wing having to put in a number of important defensive efforts to help keep us in the game. It was fantastic to see flanker Fabian

Karadia return back for us and he played really well as did fellow loose forward, courageous Charlie Davis

The half time team talk was quite straight forward with ‘more of the same’ being the main theme. With no hysteria, the boys continue to show great maturity in their ability to both diagnose the opportunities presented by the opposition’s style of play and their own areas for improvement. Captain Alex Moore and pack leader Charlie Houlston are also very adept at leveraging the ‘esprit de corps’ that exists within this special team to get even more out of these talented lads.

Expecting more tries from us, the second half got off to a slow start in terms of scoring but not in terms of skill. It was great to see gifted fly half, Ryan McBane, return for his first Old Pats game of 2023. One memorable occasion found dynamic powerhouse prop, Luke Smith., in the fly half position. With nothing obvious on, Luke showed the acumen of a back (which is a huge complement!!), to expertly chip the ball into the space behind causing panic in the Tewkesbury ranks. Silky scrum half, Johnnie Hogg, who was playing like Antoine Dupont, showed great courage to get over his man and win the penalty for not releasing. Not content with this, he then took a quick tap, ducking and weaving to make important yards which caused further chaos in the opposition line.

Not to be outdone by Luke’s kicking prowess, Captain Marvellous Alex Moore, received the ball deep in his own half and put in a wonder 50-22 kick into the bottom right of the pitch. This meant we had the throw in and our hooker, gritty blond bombshell Sam Woodward, made sure he found his man with a deft throw in. After sustained pressure, we were awarded a penalty in the opposition 22. As we might expect, dynamic Charlie Houlston, was on hand to take a quick tap and charged their line. Tewkesbury met him head on but being an awkward customer, they could not contain him, and he went over for a great individual TRY.
20-21

With 10 minutes left to play, could we overcome this spirited Tewkesbury team? Of course we could and how!! From a scrum deep in our own half unshackled Johnnie Hogg took matters into his own hands by using the slope and wind to put in a really intelligent kick across field into the empty quarter. Our side showed impressive hunger to follow up on this space finding kick, including athletic lock Jack Cochrane, which allowed us to get into the opposition 22 and turn the ball over. From the ruck, Johnnie rifled a pass to Adam Ryder who we all know reads the game several phases ahead of most of us. Only 2 people on earth could have made the next wonder pass; Finn Russell plays in Paris, but luckily Adam plays for Old Pats and he was able to find instinctive finisher Charlie Langmaid who went over in the corner for a brilliant TRY.
25-20

With minutes left, Tewkesbury were determined to come back at us and snatch the game. Turning to the touchline, some supporters were turning pale with stress, whilst others were clutching at their chests. The coaches were reaching for their ration of ‘Dutch courage’ but fear not, these boys defended like their lives depended on it managing to counter Tewkesbury’s last throw of the dice. First, Adam Ryder (who had decided to be a forward again!!), was instrumental in holding up their ball carrier to force a maul turn over and finally Alex Moore won a penalty for the opposition not releasing. This heroic defensive effort reminded some of the Battle of the Alamo, but in this case – we prevailed.

What a game to watch!!! Thanks to referee Tommy MacDonald-Milner who contributed to a flowing game with his clear instructions. Well done boys, the touch line consensus was that this was one of your best games and I am going to have to buy a bigger thesaurus as I am fast running out of superlatives to describe you all.

Hein le Roux