30 Jan 10
Old Laurentians 17 – Worcester Wanderers 10
Laurentians inflicted just the second defeat of the season on league leaders Worcester Wanderers with a top quality display of all round rugby. Inspired and driven on by skipper Carl Adams, this was very much a team effort with every man of the seventeen who saw action playing a full part in a fine performance.
The foundations for the win were laid in the first half, OLs taking the game to their opponents from the off to keep them on the back foot throughout and score two excellent tries.
The first came with just seven minutes on the clock when Adams displayed a hitherto well hidden subtlety with a cute little grubber kick down the left hand touchline, chased by Jamie Brightwell and Mark Todd who drove defender and ball into touch near the corner flag. Quick ball from the lineout reached Denzil Evans who popped a short pass into the arms of Iain Wallis, a situation which is tailor made for the centre. He brushed defenders aside as he went over near the posts for a try converted by Evans and a 7-0 lead.
Wanderers were struggling to get into the game but hit back after 35 minutes when fly half Greg Fincher put over a well judged penalty to reduce the deficit to 7-3.
After a sweeping OL’s attack going left, what was probably a scoring pass went to ground and Wanderers broke out of defence on a counter attack. But great OL’s covering saw their possession turned over, Evans switching play right for Wallis to deliver a perfectly timed pass to Simon Bayliss and give the winger the half opening that is all he needs. Beating his man on the outside he outflanked the defence to go over under the posts, Evans converting for a half time scoreline of 14-3.
Evans added to OL’s score just four minutes into the second half, dropping a goal after Richard Parker and Glenn Todd had made deep inroads into the Wanderers defence to set up the position.
Wanderers were fighting their way back into the game, but found OL’s defence resolute and unyielding, spearheaded by another mighty display from the back row of Adams, Glenn Todd and Tom Gleghorn. This trio, with scrum half Richard Parker, were dominant in the tackle area, frequently forcing their opponents back as they tried to construct attacks, their efforts supplemented by a couple of great cover tackles from props Chris le Poidevin, on as a very useful replacement for Ollie Cowley, and Garrie Reeve.
But the visitors found a way through after ten minutes when heavy pressure sucked in OL’s defenders and centre James Price spotted an opening to go over under the posts for a well worked try, Greg Fincher converting to bring the score back to 17-10.
The last thirty minutes of the game were scoreless, but the ebb and flow of the play made compelling watching and kept both sets of supporters riveted to the action as the tension mounted. Each side had its opportunities, but both defences held firm under pressure and OLs ran out worthy winners.
Paul Willis and Ben O’Riordan once more ruled the lineout, taking full advantage of Mark Todd’s consistently accurate throwing; and another whole hearted display over eighty minutes by Garrie Reeve anchored a fine scrummaging performance.
At half back, Richard Parker kept the Wanderers defence fully occupied with his strong running and Denzil Evans frequently pushed OLs into good positions with a fine display of kicking, as well as testing the defence with some sniping breaks. Danny Murch was strong and unyielding in the centre and Scott Wiles looked totally secure at full back.
OLs consolidated their third place in the league with this win which, together with last week’s drubbing of Old Coventrians, will send out a strong signal to every other team that they mean business as the run in to the end of the season begins
Enjoyment of the occasion went well beyond the action on the pitch as Worcester’s team, supporters and officials were welcome guests and gracious in defeat. We did point out to them that they could spare a couple of league points and our need was somewhat greater than theirs. The response was that they didn’t willingly hand them over but that, on balance, they felt we had earned them!
After the game, Worcester chairman Allan Powell and team skipper Greg Fincher made presentations of a Worcester club plaque and ties to OLs – Carl Adams and Colin Wiles pushed to the front of the queue and bagged the goodies!! The gesture was widely appreciated – thanks, Worcester.
They also presented a tie to referee Darryl Grason, on an exchange visit from the Yorkshire Society and who did a fine job with the whistle. Darryl lives in Whitby and had set off from home at 7.00am on Saturday, having to take a diversionary route via Scarborough because of snow in that part of Yorkshire. Imagine how he felt when, having reached Leicester Forest services, he received a phone call from his wife to say we had been in touch to let him know that play wasn’t certain and that there would be a pitch inspection at 11.00am. He spent an anxious hour drinking coffee before he got the all clear!
Report by Bill Wallis
Newbold on Avon 2nd XV 17 – Old Laurentians 2nd XV 31
OL’s 2nd XV travelled the short distance to Newbold for the return league fixture but after the debacle at Fenley Field this was going to be a far tougher game than that earlier romp.
This proved correct early on, as from the kick off the home winger was allowed a 50 metre run to score. OLs then began to settle and gain total control of the game and the first visit to the opposition 22 saw Dave Longrigg drive down the blindside from a clever line out and feed skipper Ricky Reed for a score in the corner
OL’s forwards were now dominant, Joel Gleghorn and Eddie Edwards working well in the line out and providing good ball all afternoon. The back row, with the hard working James Melvin and Daz Dean, were all over the home team in the loose. The scrum, with Leigh Fisher to the fore, was working well and from a solid scrum the ball was fed to Ben Wiles, who broke the home line and fed the returning Matt Cockman. The centre drew the defence to send in Dean Graham for a well worked try.
The game was then delayed for 10 minutes after Scott Whyment sustained another unfortunate and nasty injury on his return to the game after a long lay off.
From the restart it was OLs on the attack again through great driving play from Hammond and replacement Volkman who fed the giant Paul Amor. The goliath of a man charged 40 metres up the field before being stopped a metre from the line, with Ben Wiles on hand to score probably his easiest ever try.
As the first half closed, OLs were on fire and another great move saw the powerful Cockman shrug off a number of home defenders to score a fine try, bringing up a half time score of 26-5
The second period was a more sedate half of rugby with the home team’s spoiling tactics being the dominant factor. With skipper Reed having to leave the field early in the half it meant a number of changes, with Howard Harris playing scrum half, replacement Ash McEwan slotting into the second row and the rather outspoken Longrigg making his way to the centre
The home team then took some advantage of some poor play in OL’s 22 with Cato producing a Bernaiesque kick to allow Newbold’s veteran scrum half to score.
OLs then settled with Harris now going well at scrum half and began to put some phases together; and from a great driving lineout, Cockman was put in for his second, a game sealing try
The win keeps OLs on top of the league. On another day the score could have been significantly more with the amount of territory and possession enjoyed. And credit is due to the home team for playing for the full eighty minutes. However the win on the Bold’s home patch and a seasonal double over our local rivals was warmly celebrated.
Everyone at the club wishes Scott Whyment a speedy recovery from what looks like a serious ankle injury.
Report by Dean Cobley
