24 Oct 09
Intermediate Cup - Midlands
Old Laurentians 19 – Banbury 18
Laurentians were coasting to a well earned victory as this game moved into injury time when Banbury appeared to have snatched it from them with a highly dubious try that was converted to give them a two point lead. But as the clock ticked down to the final whistle, OLs were awarded a penalty some 40 metres from the Banbury posts and up stepped Denzil Evans to send it soaring over with a beautifully judged kick into a stiff wind, earning his side a place in the third round draw of the Intermediate Cup.
The previously unbeaten Banbury side started the game strongly and OLs had to be at their sharpest to keep out thrusts by livewire scrum half Phillips and number 8 Brand until, after ten minutes play, centre Smith put over a penalty to earn a reward for his side’s early pressure.
But Laurentians worked their way back into the match, prop Paul Amor was held up just short of the line and the pressure produced a penalty that Evans dropped into the corner. Surprisingly, OLs failed to win the lineout but were quickly through on to the loose ball and worked Dave Longrigg over in the corner for a try with twenty minutes gone. Wiles just missed the conversion, but six minutes later put over a penalty after more OL’s pressure to increase their lead to 8-3.
OL’s backs were now beginning to show their paces, Matt Miller proving to be a constant threat to Banbury on the wing. But the next score came from Simon Bayliss on the opposite wing after another penalty lineout was won, Glenn Todd took it on to the Banbury line in typically pugnacious fashion and the ball was moved quickly right for the try and a 13-3 lead after 40 minutes play.
But straight from the restart, Banbury were awarded a penalty for obstruction close to OL’s line as Ben Wiles jockeyed for position to get a clearance kick in, Banbury took it quickly and forced their way over for a try wide out. The conversion was missed and the half time whistle went with OLs holding a 13-8 lead.
Banbury struck first in the second half with a penalty that narrowed the margin to 13-11 after eight minutes. Then Richard Parker was bursting through midfield when an attempted tackle took him round the neck, but the scrum half’s strength carried him through the challenge and he was running clear of the defence when the referee blew for an OL’s penalty. Evans put the kick over for three points, which could have been seven had an advantage been allowed, and a 16-11 lead.
With skipper for the day Glenn Todd leading inspirationally from the front, OLs looked to have the game in the bag before Banbury snatched that controversial score in the dying minutes. After OLs had taken a scrum against the head on their 22 metre line, a Banbury hand appeared to knock the ball on as Parker passed it out, the ball went loose and in the chase to the line another knock on took it over before it was touched down under the posts, the conversion seemingly giving Banbury a last gasp win at 16-18. Then Evans had the last word with the kick that won the game.
Report by Bill Wallis
Warwickshire League 1
Leamington 2nd XV 17 – Old Laurentian 2nd XV 29
OLs seconds took a strong squad to Leamington and knew they would face a very competitive fixture. However the opening 20 minutes proved to be a lot easier than expected. OL’s pack, who could boast that all eight had played for the first team in the last two seasons, dominated all aspects of play and they were rewarded for an excellent driving maul of fully 25 metres with a trademark Gary Hammond try, Ben Roberts adding the extras.
Forward domination continued as the ever impressive Andy Orbinson scored a great individual try, the conversion attempt by Roberts striking the left upright, for a 12-0 scoreline. Great work from the big Canadian prop Volkman led to Orbinson’s second try and a comfortable 17 point lead was taken into half time.
The second half started in much the same vein and the first score of the half finally went to a back, Ben Roberts, with a superb try from his own twenty two line after innovative work by Matt Coleman, bouncing a lovely pass into his path! OL’s final score came moments later when the evergreen Eddie Edwards stole a line out close in, and skipper Ricky Reed blasted his way through his opposite number and off loaded to Andy Coleman for an easy walk in, Roberts converting for a 29- 0 lead.
Great credit to Leamington as they never gave in and got their just deserts with three unanswered tries, to make the final score respectable. OL’s skipper was very proud of his team, especially Lawrence Webb, who was asked to play fly half and did so superbly; and centres Dean Graham, also out of position, and Mark Allen on a long awaited return. We really can, on this form, expect big results from a very strong second team.
Report by Ricky Reed
Friendly
Old Laurentian 3rd XV 24 - Long Buckby 3rd XV 15
On a breezy afternoon at Fenley Field, OLs elected to play with the wind behind them for the first half. After just three minutes, OLs nearly opened their account after a ball hacked on by centre Storey almost resulted in fly half debutant Lawrence Mead scoring between the posts. This was the first glimpse that the watching faithful had of the 10 with boots of Katy Price pink. On fourteen minutes Mead was mugged of the ball by the Long Buckby openside who raced unopposed to score Buckby's first points of the afternoon. A tricky conversion from the touchline and into the breeze was impressively kicked by Massey, the Buckby 10.
Sloppy handling through the OL’s backs threatened to cost them heavily but, time and again, Mead took the pressure off with some sublime kicking out of hand to keep Long Buckby pinned in their own half. Josh Brimley came within inches of reducing the deficit after a quick ball out to the wing, the Buckby clearance allowed OLs to secure a text book lineout and the evergreen Dom Marsella dotted down in the corner. The cerise booted Achilles Mead made the conversion look easy.
A typically direct run from Storey resulted in a tackle that cut short his afternoon and he was ably replaced by Paul Lewis.
Minutes later, textbook strike running from Phil "The Power" Walters sent him over for his first of the afternoon. The conversion from Meads, followed shortly by a pink footed penalty took it to 17-7 and OLs began to turn the screw.
Steady if unspectacular line outs and the occasional scrum won against the head gave the home side slight but significant advantage in the forwards up to half time.
A second half remarkable only for it's lack of excitement was brought to life momentarily by the second of Walters tries after receiving a beautifully floated pass from the man with the nail varnished boots, who once again converted to complete an afternoon of faultless kicking.
A Long Buckby penalty landed by Massey took the score to 24-10. Poor tackling from the home side let Buckby in for the final score of the game which ended at 24-15. Clocks going back, rain at last, and a home win. Everything is rosy in the thirds. . . even the boots.
Report by Tim Chambers
