08 October 2011
Midlands 2 West (South)
Old Laurentians 47 – Cheltenham North 7
Saturday was the occasion of OLs annual Vice Presidents lunch and some 75 VPs enjoyed an entertaining match as OLs turned out in a new set of jerseys, generously sponsored by Webb Ellis and presented to the club by Lawrence Webb before kick-off.
Just four minutes had passed when great work by OLs pack in turning over North possession set up a try on the left for Simon Bayliss, slick passing along the backline giving him the opportunity to outflank the defence. There was a repeat performance just four minutes later when Bayliss went over again in the same corner, the position set up by a trademark Carl Adams run through the heart of North’s defence. Two fine conversions by Danny Orr gave OLs an early 14-0 lead.
Although OLs continued to dominate territory and possession, North kept them at bay for the next twenty minutes before a strong incursion from full back by Luke Harris set up another run by Bayliss, this time held short of the line. But he offloaded to the supporting Iain Wallis who went over for OL’s third try, again converted by Orr to hoist the score to 21-0, where it stayed until half time.
OLs lost some of their spark during the middle period of the match and for twenty minutes the game slipped into stalemate, neither side making any real headway. But OLs pack began to get the upper hand in all phases of play, with Adams prominent. On fifteen minutes a lineout 20 metres from North’s line resulted in quick possession, Wallis took the ball on, Adams continued the move and Ricky Reed went over for OL’s bonus point try, Orr adding the extras for 28-0.
Then followed the try of the match, and a contender for that accolade for the season, when Carl Adams set off for the line just inside North’s half and forty five metres later crossed for a try with a trail of would be tacklers scattered in his wake. Orr improved his try and OLs were 35-0 up.
When North got one back after thirty minutes, ironically it was scored by Mark Cashmore, a Rugby man born and bred and son of a distinguished local player of a few years back, Chris Cashmore. It was superbly converted by scrum half Johns and reduced North’s deficit to 35-7.
A long run by Mark Todd created the position from which Bayliss just failed to reach the line. But a penalty to OLs led to a lineout from which the ball was driven on and flanker Pete Nealon finished the move to go over and touch down, Orr’s conversion drifting just wide.
Well on top again, OLs finished the scoring with a try by Danny Murch after Adams, Orr and Todd combined cleverly to bamboozle the North defence and set up the opening. Orr kicked the goal with his sixth successful conversion from seven attempts.
Ben Anderson and Luke Harris suffered worrying injuries in the game, to be replaced from a very strong bench by two more Bens, O’Riordan and Wiles. There was a welcome return from injury by Ollie Cowley, who came off the bench in the second half to replace Wayne Oliver.
OLs pack played a major role in this win, consistently setting up quick possession to allow a very useful back line to regularly demonstrate their skills. The front row of Oliver, Mark Todd and Garrie Reeve scrummaged well and Paul Willis and Anderson consistently won good lineout possession.
Ted Spiby was again prominent on the flank and would have completed a trio of tries for the back row if a less than accurate pass to him had gone to hand when he was in the clear in the second half; and Ricky Reed has settled back into first team action as if he has never been away.
OLs are without a game this weekend, after a second successive bye in the RFU Intermediate Cup, this time in the second round. But sights are now firmly set on the big local derby with league leaders Newbold at Parkfield Road on the following Saturday. With OLs sitting in third place in the league, this encounter is a highly significant one, and potentially season defining, for both sides.
Team:
Luke Harris; Simon Bayliss, Danny Murch, Iain Wallis, Matt Miller; Danny Orr, Ricky Reed; Garrie Reeve, Mark Todd, Wayne Oliver; Paul Willis, Ben Anderson; Ted Spiby, Pete Nealon; Carl Adams.
Replacements (all used):
Ben Wiles, Ben O’Riordan, Ollie Cowley
Scorers:
Tries: Simon Bayliss (2), Iain Wallis, Ricky Reed, Carl Adams, Pete Nealon, Danny Murch
Conversions: Danny Orr (6)
Report by Bill Wallis
Leicester Medics 6 - Old Laurentian 2nds 69
Scorers:
Tries: Grant Inch (5), Ted Wallis (2), James Orbinson (2), Steve Pike, Scott Wiles
Conversions: Jon Bean (7)
Old Laurentian 3rds 33 - Bedworth 3rds 21
Scorers:
Tries: Ben Roach (2), Kev White, Tom Johnson, John Brimley
Conversions: Kev White (4)
