OLs Reports

19 April 08

OL’s 1st 21 v 0 Earlsdon (H)

Laurentians ended their poorest league run for two years with a convincing victory over Earlsdon, in front of thirty five former club skippers at their annual Captains Day. Those present spanned a period of sixty years, the most senior being Bob Jinks who held the post way back in the 1948/49 season. They witnessed one of OL’s best displays for some time against a side who have enjoyed an excellent season, finishing it a point ahead of OL’s in fourth place.

Set up by a storming display from their pack, OL’s kept a clean sheet defensively for only the second time this season, restricting the visitors’ scoring opportunities to a handful of penalty attempts. Making light of the absence of several leading players, OL’s dominated their opponents from the first whistle, and it took some stubborn defensive work by the visitors to keep the score down.

The midfield trio of Mark Palmer, Ed Wallis and Danny Murch were lively and threatening, Palmer turning the clock back with a vintage display at fly half. Troy Owen made a first team debut on the wing and he looked sound and composed throughout, dealing well with the high kicks that came his way.

A big bonus for OL’s was the return of James Murray at full back after a long injury layoff. He announced himself with a scything break from deep after just ten minutes, a move carried on strongly by prop Chris Le Poidevan that was just held by some scrambling defence from the visitors.

Murray opened the scoring for OL’s after fifteen minutes, putting over a penalty after prolonged OL’s pressure. Dan Volkman and Ricky Reed both went close as OL’s stayed on the offensive; then, after twenty six minutes, more OL’s pressure was halted illegally and the Earlsdon number eight was sin binned, Murray kicking the resultant penalty for a 6-0 lead.

Following the re-start, a thumping midfield tackle by Glenn Todd created an opportunity that was seized on by Murch and he was just held as he went for the line. Then, as half time approached, Palmer took quick lineout possession standing up flat and carved open the defence with a classic break, centre Ed Wallis cutting a good line inside him to be caught just inches from the line. The pack was up quickly in support and second row Dan Volkman charged over for the opening try and an 11-0 half time lead.

OL’s kept up the pressure through the second half but twenty five minutes had passed before Murray kicked another penalty for 14-0. Earlsdon’s frustration was beginning to show in a few petty skirmishes, but OL’s refused to relinquish their stranglehold on the game, even when losing influential number eight Glenn Todd to a yellow card.

The reward for unbroken OL’s pressure came after thirty minutes, when Palmer again initiated a move that was carried on by a half break from Wallis to set up Murch. The centre left the last defender on his back side as he swerved through for a well taken try, converted by Murray.

A dominant performance left OL’s ruing a string of poor showings that consigned them to fifth position in the league, after holding second place at the turn of the year and looking set for a promotion play off place. But it will leave the team in good heart as the planning starts for next season’s campaign, and another drive for promotion.