21 Nov 09

Midlands Intermediate Cup – Round 3
Melton Mowbray 29 - Old Laurentians 3

Laurentians slipped out of the Intermediate Cup on an inhospitable and windy hill top in Melton Mowbray, succumbing to the superior forward power of the Leicestershire club.

Injury and non availability took its toll of the Bilton side and they were under pressure in the set pieces all afternoon. With three regular scrum halves not available, Danny Murch stepped in to do duty at number 9 and, despite having to cope with slow possession, delivered under pressure throughout, he came through the test with great credit.

Melton took the lead with a converted try on twenty minutes after OLs had been forced to defend a series of close in drives; then added to it with a penalty on the half hour for a 10-0 lead.

When it looked as if OLs would reach half time still in touch, they allowed the Melton full back to make a lot of ground from deep, the move was carried on through the pack and the home side’s left wing went over wide out for a try that was converted for a 17-0 lead, followed shortly by the half time whistle.

OLs started the second half brightly and forced Melton back on defence, Denzil Evans converting a penalty to reduce the deficit. But they failed to deal with Melton’s re-start kick and the home side were able to put their right wing over for a try in the corner and an unassailable 22-3 lead.

OL’s injury woes were compounded when full back Grant Inch suffered a serious leg injury which will see him sidelined for some months, if not the whole season, and they had to play out the last seventeen minutes with fourteen men as all their replacements were on the pitch. Iain Wallis had already taken a knock and was reduced to a hobble when Melton outflanked a weary defence for their final try with a few minutes to play.

For the losers, Glenn Todd again led the side with great enthusiasm and was always in the thick of the action, his brother Mark never far away. Dave Longrigg has adapted well following his switch to prop forward, delivering another hardworking performance; and Simon Bayliss threatened the home defence on the wing but rarely received quick possession with the space to use it.

OLs return to league action this Saturday when Barkers Butts visit Fenley Field, kick off 2.15pm.

Report by Bill Wallis

Clonmel Cup
Daventry 2^nd XV 8 – Old Laurentian 2^nd XV 32

With the fresh wind behind OLs for the first half, Ricky Reed’s side started very well, the forwards putting Daventry under pressure from the first whistle and pinning them in their own 22 in the early stages. A driving maul from good lineout ball by Sherriff brought the first points of the game, a penalty kicked by Brightwell.

Daventry came back strongly, forcing some great defence from OLs. But Marc ‘Obama’ Owen spotted an interception chance and ran 80 metres, handing the full back off to score under the posts, Brightwell converting for10- 0.

With OL’s pack taking control, chances had to come, but some unusual refereeing decisions gave Daventry the opportunities to clear.

Daventry came back with some good forward drives and forced OLs to defend for 5 or 6 phases which resulted in a well taken try for the Daventry number 7.

After a few choice words from skipper Reed, OLs took control of the game and threatened in all areas. Hayes picked the ball up 30 metres out making good ground, before Nealon and Melvin linked to put Le Poidevin in for a smashing team try, Brightwell converting for 17 – 5.

With Nealon and Le Poidevin involved in most plays, this enabled the pack to get running, making dents in the home side’s defence. Volkman, the Waiter and Sting Ray were clearing rucks well, creating room for the backs to make ground. Owen again broke through the defence, chipping the full back to collect and score his second of the game for 22-5, before being replaced after an injury.

Daventry scored a well taken penalty from the half way line before OLs made a few changes, bringing on Steel, Dilley, Cooper and George Rapsomanikis, who all had an impact. But no sign of Bernai was visible through the wind and rain!

The vintage White was feeding his back three of Kato, Tweeky and HHH, all making ground and creating room for the forwards to run. This resulted in a Wilkinson like show and go from Hayes, who scored near the posts from 10 metres out to lift the score to 27 – 8.

Steel made good ground from number 8 at most scrummages then Reed fed Le Poidevin before Dilley made 30 metres with tacklers scattered behind him. He set a ruck and the ball was quickly moved to the right wing for the ‘Mighty Toe’ Coburn to score in the corner.

A good team performance was helped by physio Stee Green, who was patching players up to continue the fight – literally! Naughty boys were Brightwell and Nealon, who should sit down and think about what they had done!

Slap on wrists!

Report by Carlos!