27 Feb 10
Midlands 2 West (South)
Old Laurentians 46 – Bedworth 7
Old Laurentians maintained their unbeaten record at Fenley Field this season, and extended their winning streak in all matches to eleven, against the side who inflicted their last defeat on them. OLs went down by 26-10 at Bedworth on 5th December, when the home side were well worth their win, so there was a score to settle.
But the Laurentian side that has reeled off a series of wins to propel them to 2nd in the league table looks in a different class to the one that was stumbling through November, although the personnel are largely the same.
Although OLs took an early lead, quick hands releasing Simon Bayliss to beat his man on the outside and run in from 30 metres after just four minutes, Evans improving the try, they failed to add to their score in an otherwise undistinguished first half. Bedworth got one back when a spell of sustained pressure in OL’s half created the opening for scrum half Bennett to snipe over under the posts, Hazlewood adding the goal points to level the score at 7-7.
The visitors relied heavily on their big, competitive pack to make progress and succeeded in frustrating OLs for the reminder of the first half, the sides turning round all square.
But the home side upped the pace in the second half, the pack producing quick ball to give their backs space and time in which to operate and move the action away from the Bedworth pack, who visibly tired as the game went on.
In their efforts to slow the game down, Bedworth were now conceding regular penalties and from one on their 10 metre line Richard Parker broke smartly and Carl Adams took his pass to punch a hole in the visitors’ defence. The ball was recycled swiftly to Matt Miller, making a welcome return after a long injury layoff, and the wing finished well in the corner for a 12-7 lead four minutes after the break.
A further penalty produced three points for Evans before a good scoring position was set up from yet another, Miller just failing to hold a poorly directed pass when in the clear. At the scrum that followed, OLs pack put heavy pressure on the Bedworth eight and an attempted clearance was charged down by Evans. Tom Gleghorn reacted quickest, scooped up the bouncing ball and cleverly fed Mark Todd, who sprinted in for a try. The conversion missed, but OLs were now looking comfortable at 20-7.
Twenty minutes in and the Bedworth number 8 was sin binned for a high tackle on Bayliss as OLs developed another promising attack. Every time the prolific wing goes down in such a way, every OL heart relocates to the mouth! Bedworth conceded a scrum after the lineout that followed the penalty, Parker broke blind and when he was held the ball was moved open where Evans worked a smart switch move with Iain Wallis, the centre cutting through for a try under the posts, converted by Evans for a 27-7 lead with OLs now in complete command.
Then came a try that summed up OL’s recent outstanding form, based on excellent teamwork and deadly finishing. Glenn Todd, again, stormed forward from deep in OL’s half, the ball was retained after he was held, Evans moved it quickly to Scott Wiles joining the line at pace and the full back fed Miller. The wing made good ground before transferring the ball back inside to the supporting Ben Wiles who raced away for a try that lifted the score to 32-7, the conversion missing.
Bedworth tried to respond but their backs lacked the pace to seriously trouble OL’s defence, although centre Jenkins ran strongly and needed careful policing. Their best moment came from a slashing break by fly half Chapman, but he was caught just short of the line, unfortunately picking up an injury that forced him from the field for the closing stages.
On thirty five minutes, OLs ran a penalty from deep in their 22, replacement centre Danny Murch fed Simon Bayliss and OL’s jet heeled wing did the rest from 70 metres out, beating defenders for pace and strength to register yet another outstanding try, his 30th of the season.
Straight from the re-start, the outstanding Scott Wiles left defenders floundering as he broke left before feeding Danny Murch, the centre running strongly from half way to score. Evans added the goal points to complete a second half demolition job that had yielded six excellent tries and thirty nine unanswered points.
Report by Bill Wallis
Old Laurentians 2nd XV 39 – Ealsdon 2nd XV 9
After progressing to the Clonmell Cup final the week before against a strong Rugby Lions team, OLs 2nds returned to league rugby with their final home game of the season in a return fixture with Earlsdon.
It took a while for OLs to settle into the game, but after a scrappy first quarter they finally applied some pressure on the visitors’ line.
A strong scrum from the home team, with prop Huw Sullivan enjoying an excellent 2nd team debut, put the visitors under pressure and with the ball squirting out of the scrum it allowed ace poacher Ricky Reed to snap up the ball for the first unconverted score
However, instead of spurring the home team on, they went on to concede a string of unnecessary penalties, one slotted over by the visitors’ fly half
OLs went further in front when the visitors infringed at a ruck after a strong run from the goliath Amor. But OLs again gave their visitors more presents, allowing another penalty to be converted by Earlsdon.
The game was looking a lot closer than it should have been and OLs finally upped the pace. From an Earlsdon line out deep in their 22 Joel Gleghorn and Evergreen Eddie piled on the pressure, forcing the mistake which was pounced on by the posh-talking Longrigg to continue his try scoring streak, converted by Rick Lee.
Again the visitors were allowed the final say in the half with another penalty and the teams turned round with OLs 15-9 ahead.
OLs came out in the second half and reproduced the rugby they have played all season. The pack, with renewed vigour, were now at full flow, playing hard direct rugby. Led by Gary Hammond, OLs were on top in the scrums, with McEwan to the fore, and the driving lineout was excellent all second half.
Quick and accurate ball was now being served up to fly half Rick Lee, who was varying the game beautifully, and he was next to score with a lovely show and go, dummying the whole of the visitors back line to score under the posts
OLs backs were now full of confidence. Ted Wallis, who never put a foot wrong all afternoon, was making things happen and bringing the back three of Howard Harris, Lawrence Webb and Troy Owen into the game at every opportunity
OLs then brought on Dom Hammond into the centre, allowing Will Sinclair to move to full back; and Ben Nuttall replaced the hard working Sullivan.
This again had an immediate impact, with Disco Eddie taking a quick tap penalty to put young Hammond into space. After a clever kick over the defence it was a foot race between father and son, with Gusher announcing that he had to let Dom score for family unity reasons. No one believed him, but an excellent try.
OLs were quickly back scoring again and after a quickly taken penalty the ball was put through the hands and “” Barrack Hands”” Owen finished skilfully in the corner.
OLs were now playing all the rugby. Will Sinclair was looking dangerous at full back and running the ball back at every opportunity, the back row, led by James Melvin, were linking everything together and after some multi phase rugby it was the home team who had the final say. A superb piece of rugby included a sublime off load from Joel Gleghorm, the ball was worked into the visitors 22 and Dave Longrigg, who after a distinguished career in the first team now loves life in the 2nd team, was on hand to swallow dive his way over the line for his second try. It was converted by Ricky Lee for the final score of the game.
A great second half performance from the OLs keeps their title chance intact with one game to go.
On a disappointing note there was no sign of the Bernai around the 2nd team this week. Only hope is that he will be resurrected after this weekend’s tour to Whitley Bay.
Report by Dean Cobley
Birstall 2nd XV 0 – Old Laurentian 3rd XV 67
Something of a road trip and the novelty of playing in Leicestershire for the 3rds this week. Not the only novelty of the day however, as they had a win! And a convincing one at that, over Birstall 2nds who are, puzzlingly, top of their league.
Fresh from rag week, communist rallies, state subsidised drinking and a diet of toast, students Jack Boulden, Harley Steele, James Orbinson and Andy Collins added some much needed pace to the OLs attack.
The sloping pitch was in the grounds of Longslade College. Those members with memories of another Leicestershire college based side shuddered with thoughts of ‘Black Saturday’ but their fears were unfounded as the environment immediately made the OL’s student foursome feel at home and it wasn’t long before the impressive Steele was scything through the Birstall defence for OLs first points of the afternoon converted by White.
Forward endeavours, spearheaded by Tom Middleton and Andy Collins in the loose and Maul Machine Ray Smith in the tight, were rewarded with tries aplenty in a steady stream from the first whistle to the last.
With a real desire to play with the ball in hand, the ’73 Barbarians looked a leaden footed, ponderous pub-side by comparison. In a game that gave Sir Mark Palmer CBE a chance to really showcase his talents at fly half.
To the knighthood, Nobel peace prize and George Cross, he can now add the accolade of being the only fly half in the history of Rugby Football to go a whole game without kicking the ball. Instead we were treated to some quite sublime stepping, passing and off-loads from the greatest 10 that Clifton has ever produced. In time there will be a musical.
Passive scrums are never great for the game from a forwards point of view but were necessary as the Birstall tight head suffered the indignity of an injury during his warm up. Well, if you must partake in such folly, what do you expect? It wasn’t just the hapless prop who was prone to physical impairment as Birstall seemed to suffer an injury for every point that the OLs scored.
The contested set piece was limited to line outs where OLs were as just dominant as in open play. Ball thrown in by OLs was routinely won by Spriggs and that thrown in by Birstall won by Brimley, who took to this game with rabid enthusiasm.
Tries came thick and fast through Orbinson (2), White, Middleton (2), Steele (2), Page and Boulden who bagged 3. White added 6 conversions.
Stuart “The Rage” Page repaid the pass from Rigg* that set him up for his score by getting involved in some fisticuffs minutes later with the Birstall pack. As this ugly incident was refereed and the game halted, Rigg was crossing over in the corner but the ref was oblivious.
Birstall kept their heads up and played with determination throughout but, in fairness, were never in it.
The post match activities took place in Birstall’s clubhouse, The Old Plough in Birstall and, what they lacked in success on the pitch, Birstall made up for in hospitality.
Steak and Kidney pudding and draught Black Sheep were endorsed by the Third team nutritionist and a thoroughly pleasant hour or so was spent in the host’s company.
This was the sixth choice of opposition for Saturday. We would very much like it to be a first choice fixture next season.
*That did say “pass from Rigg”
Report by Tim Chambers
