Match Report

A 7 try thriller with our boys again putting in another thumping performance

With 25 lads on our team sheet today out of a squad of 29, we felt blessed at this sign of commitment so late in the season. We made the short trip down the Golden Valley to Old Richians and ended up playing on a breezy Tommies pitch next door. Given the strength of the wind, this was always set to be a game of 2 halves. We won the toss and opted to play into the wind which was always going to be a tough ask for the lads with a lot of defending predicted.

We made a bright start which was all the more impressive given the conditions. After a number of phases, we moved into the Old Richians 22 and then moved the ball through numerous hands ending up with sublime winger, Isaac Evans. He still had work to do, and it looked like the defence had him covered, but with a classy in – out, he held up his defender to then use his pace and beat him on the outside going over for a brilliant team TRY in the corner. Given the conditions, this was somewhat against the run of play but showed what we are capable of when we play like a team.
5-0 Try by Isaac Evans

We then absorbed a lot of pressure and proved to have more lives than even the luckiest of felines, but this finally ran out, after a great double miss pass from the Old Richians fly half found their winger in space to go over for a well-deserved try. Now this pass looked flat, but our touch judge has an appointment with Spec Savers first thing tomorrow to double check on his visual acuity!
5-5 Try by Old Richians

Old Richians had most of the attacking play in the first half which was to be expected with the wind and our lads spent most of the time defending valiantly with brave open side flanker, ‘Faf’ le Roux, putting in numerous important ninja-like tackles to disrupt and frustrate the opposition. He had a great game for us and with his blond mop, he reminded some of another abrasive and impactful flanker – Springbok hardman, Schalk Burger. Decent attacking chances were limited but versatile lock, Charlie Houlston, found himself on the left wing, showing great hands and then a wonderful turn of pace with an ‘in out’ of his own to nearly go over in the corner. It looked particularly torrid for our half back pairing of tenacious Harry Burridge and plucky Ryan McBane who had a lot to contend with given the blustery conditions and they can both be proud of the effort under such a lot of pressure.

Just before half time, Old Richians were awarded a penalty in front of the sticks which they slotted to finish the half 3 points ahead which did not feel like enough of a lead given our reserve strike force.
5-8 Penalty from Old Richians

We went into half time looking a bit rattled as the opposition had taken us out of our comfort zone on several occasions and we clearly did not like that feeling. When things get a bit wobbly, it is easy to turn in and attack one another. Importantly, several players in the half time Witan spoke up about the way we do things in our team, that’s our team’s personality, our culture. We made our substitutions with 10 stunning ‘F22 Raptors’ to bring on and now had the wind on our backs which was going to prove to be a massive advantage to us. With so many talented subs, it can feel like doing daunting calculus knowing who to get on, in which position and for how long. Who needs ‘Deep Blue’? We have the Old Pats coaching abacus of Simon Asquith, Stu Heath-Smith, Andy McBane and Chris Woodward to manage these complex manoeuvres seamlessly.

The second half got underway. From a scrum, if looked like crafty flyhalf, Barney Health-Smith, would go right but with his pace he tricked us all to go left, creating an overlap and then getting the ball to speedster Isaac Evans out wide who scored his second TRY. Scrum half and kicking phenomenon, Johnnie Hogg, somehow drew the ball in from way out West to make a great conversion.

12-8 Try by Isaac Evans with conversion from Johnnie Hogg

There followed a bit of too and fro and then Johnnie managed to get a pressure alleviating kick away which Old Richians were not able to clear. After several phases, the ball found talented lock and Thibaud Flament look alike, Josh Hansen, who made a lovely break between 2 defenders and then off-loaded one handed from his giant mitt to gifted centre, Sam Stevens, who showed his pace to scamper in for a lovely TRY which Johnnie converted.
19-8 Try by Sam Stevens with conversion from Johnnie Hogg

A bit later and from deep in our half, Henry Brock, who had a great game all round, smashed a howitzer of a kick which ended up being a 50-22. For a moment we thought we were watching Tiger Woods, Big Bertha in hand, tee off on the par 4 11th at Augusta in the warm spring sunshine with flowering Azalais in the background, to set up an eagle opportunity. Back to chilly Gloucester, but the outcome was the same. After several opportunities, strong man and flanker, Max Stanley Jones, won us the penalty for the ball not being released. As we have now come to expect, magic Max then took a quick tap, ducking and weaving his way to a great TRY which was converted by Johnnie Hogg. Drive for show, putt for dough – this team has it all!!
26-8 Try by Max Stanley Jones with conversion from Johnnie Hogg

Our penultimate try was a true forward effort and so gratifying for the supporters’ club to watch as our skilful boys showed what can be done with several off loads in the tackle at close quarters. Lurking utility forward and part-time bulldozer, Ben Lord, timed his run to perfection showing his power to go through several players and crash over for a fantastic team TRY which he then converted. Bazooka Ben, why are we all having a feeling of déjà vu?
33-8 Try and conversion to Ben Lord

Our final try came courtesy of powerhouse centre, Joe Hamilton, who showed his shear strength at close range to go through several players and score a fantastic TRY on his return from injury which was converted by clinical Charlie Langmaid. Joe’s season has been blighted by a nasty hand injury and he has shown great resilience and fortitude to come back. Always the gentleman off the pitch, minus his mullet, and with the destructive awe of a category 6 hurricane (if there is even such a thing), it was great to see him score a try on his return. Hurricane Hamilton is back!!
40-8 Try by Joe Hamilton with conversion from Charlie Langmaid

Another fantastic team performance from our lads, but with special mention to a couple of our unsung heroes. If our team is like a Nimitz Class aircraft carrier, then the limitless power generating nuclear reactors are our props Ben ‘Rocky’ Chandler and Luke ‘Skywalker’ Smith who always put in a ton of work from the bowels of the ship. Whilst not always seen, we all know what they do for us and sometimes we let them out to then create havoc in the loose with their fantastic ball playing skills.

Our boys are gold and the Old Pat’s U16 juggernaut rumbles on with just 4 games left of this incredible season. With the English Nation in a state of mourning after their mauling at the hands of the French, you lads give us a lot to be proud and optimistic about. It is worth reflecting on the prescient words of several lads talking about the importance of not underestimating the opposition and always playing as a team. Well done lads and saviour this impressive victory as the next stop is Bredon away.