Date: 1st December 2007

Match: St Andrews vs. Old Laurentians

Result: J WIN 0-48

OL’s Colts secure comfortable win against local rivals

It was a strange start to the game, with the ball changed twice before it was kicked and then Saints were pinged by the ref for running in front of the kicker. The resulting scrum yielded an injury for Saints Lock who was carried off. Eventually play continued and OL’s Harley Steel barged his way over after 5 minutes from a 5 metre line out play. John Carruthers converted for 0-7 lead to OL’s. Possession and territory favoured OL’s as they dominated most of the play in a bitter cold environment for those watching. It was James Orbinson who broke through for OL’s to get their second try on 20 minutes (0-12). 5 minutes later and Troy Owen made the ground, off loaded to Chris Jones who unselfishly popped the ball into the hands of Scott McKillop for an easy try under the posts and JC duly converted for a 19 point lead to visitors’ OL’s. The next try was a bit special and quick. From the KO, Andy Orbinson made the catch and popped it into the belly of OL’s No.8 Danny Treharne who eluded saints’ tacklers all the way for a quality try (0-24). Just before half time, Saints No.8 was sin binned which eventually helped OL’s secure their 5^th try and Danny ‘T’s second – HT 0-29.

OL’s had the wind with them in the second half and that helped with territory from the start. It was simple rugby that resulted in OL’s try after 10 minutes, winger Troy Owen getting the glory, but every back played their part (0-34). Shortly afterwards OL’s Full Back Chris Jones started the ball rolling (literally) with a grubber on the half way line, Troy continued with the boot, eventually pouncing on the ball for a try, James Keefe converted for 0-41 lead. OL’s went down to 14 players after the Scrum Half went to the bin for 10 minutes. It was all change in the pack too with second row Andy Orbinson off injured. OL’s held on well and Danny ‘T’ picked up a deserved hat-trick of trys, converted by James Keefe for final score of 0-48.

Date: 17th November 2007

Match: Old Laurentians vs Kenilworth

Result: J WIN 31-10

OL’s Colts come through comfortable winners in the end against a powerful Kenilworth.

A dream start for OL’s as Stand off John Carruthers dummied Kenilworth’s last line of defence for a try which he then converted for 7-0 and less than a minute on the clock. Johns boot found good form again on the 5 minute mark, with a clever kick that found Scott McKillop who swiftly shipped the ball to Adam Sanson for a well worked try for OL’s (12-0). The Kenilworth side was sprinkled with some County players and the class started to show through as their powerful pack ground out a try on 10 minutes (12-5). Kenilworth dominated possession and territory for much of the remainder of the half. Hooker Dom Hammond won a scrum against the head in OL’s 5m line which was kicked into safe touch to relieve the pressure. In the dying minutes, OL’s ventured into Kenilworth’s 5m line only to give the ball away which ended up in OL’s danger zone but blushes were saved by a Kenilworth knock-on and OL’s held on to 12-5 lead at half time.

For the neutral, the game looked nicely in the balance. A comical sequence of events occurred as a drop goal attempt by OL’s was intercepted and then kicked straight back into the arms of the original kicker, all to no avail in the end. 6 minutes in and OL’s Troy Owen moved the ball from the his own 22 only to get flattened on Kenilworth’s 5m line but the offload was shipped through the rest of the OL’s backs to reach Josh Hartley-Hewett on the other wing for a lovely try (17-5). On 14 minutes Kenilworth’s useful No.8 thundered over to keep the game alive (17-10). Possession and territory was shared for the next 15 minutes until Harley Steel at full stretch nicks the decisive try which Dom Hammond converted 24-10. Pressure remained on OL’s in the dying minutes and with 44 minutes on the clock Danny Murch flattered the score line with a breakthrough run and try which JC converted or full time 31-10 win for OL’s.

OLs Summary

Date: 20th October 2007

Match: Leamington vs. Old Laurentians

Result: J WIN 5-61

Leamington no match for awesome OL’s Colts

From the KO OL’s kept the ball and the pressure on the home side, with the ball crossing the line but not downed in the first 5 minutes. The continued pressure was rewarded shortly after though when Flanker Danny Treherne stuck the ball against the post. John Carruthers converted (0-7). Leamington kicked the ball straight out and OL’s were close to another try straight away but for the bounce of the ball eluding No. 8 Danny Murch. OL’s continued on in rampant fashion and Centre Mike Lampard in the right place again finished off nice team work, JC converted (0-14). Leamington did put some pressure on OL’s but the steadfast defence held true,  defence transformed into attack when Wing Adam Sanson sprinted over under the posts for an easy tap over for JC (0-21). OL’s kept the pressure up to half time and Danny Murch was rewarded with a typical crash ball and another 7 points (0-28).

Second half started just as the first ended and Danny T secured his second try for OL’s, JC maintained 100% kicking record (0-35). The home side pilled on some pressure, threatening OL’s 5m line but the lads turned this round into a Chris Jones try and John kicking 6 from 6 (0-42). The restart landed in OL’s hands, shipped through a couple of phases, Harley Steel made the ground for Danny Murch to finish. JC boots still on fire (0-49). Credit to Leamington who did managed to break through 18 minutes into the second half for a consolation try 5-49. The game then moved to a simmer for a while until Mike Lampard got his second try just before the end and then with the last play of the game Harley Steel got his just rewards with a well deserved try, John converted for an impressive 8 out of 9. Final score 5-61.

OLs Summary

Date: 6th October 2007

Match: Old Laurentians vs. Rugby Lions

Result: L LOSE 19-39

OLs Colts beaten by local rivals

An eagerly awaited local derby saw an experienced Lions squad pitted against a young OLs Colts side. The intensity was full on from the whistle and the OLs were first to feel the pressure with the Lions scoring after some ill discipline and 10m advantage contributed to their first try on 5 mins (0-5). OLs response was swift when John Carruthers scored and converted for 7-5 within a few minutes. A few missed opportunities for OLs as long range penalty and a drop goal drifted past the uprights. Lions pilled on the pressure and were rewarded on 22 mins with a converted try (7-12). Another bit of ill discipline rewarded the visitors just before half time as the penalty slipped between the posts. HT 7-15

Lions made the better start to second half with an early score for 7-22 and to make matters worse, OLs lost their captain for 10 mins for voicing his opinion. Lions demonstrated territorial control and OLs didn’t help matters when they gifted a knock-on to Lions for an easy 7 points (7-29). Things went from bad to worse for OLs as a poor restart was capitalised by Lions resulting in 7-34 score line. Lions continue in a rampant manner for another try on 28 mins for 7-39 and eventually OLs showed signs of some quality as Troy Owen bagged a try and Dom Hammond converted (14-39). It was too little too late though as Troy and Mike Lampard combine for a token score to end the encounter at 19-39. Lions deserved winners although slightly flattering scoreline.

Date: 1st September 2007

Match: [friendly] Lutterworth vs. Old Laurentians

Result: L LOSE 29-15

A closer game than the score line portrays.

First encounter of the 2007/08 season and Lutterworth kindly stepped in the last minute as worthy opposition. Some old faces and some new graced the field but bottom line was this was OLs Colts first time together. In the absence of the last year’s first choice kicker, Chris Jones stepped up and started straight out of the top drawer with a high hanging beauty. The ball was in both 22’s in the first five mins but it was Lutterworth who claimed first blood with a soft try stolen by a swift No.9 as the ball spilt out of an OLs scrum. 7-0 after 12 mins.

The match was played in four 20 minute periods and in the second quarter OLs backs started to show some good threatening signs. Half way through OLs failled to clear their lines and Lutterworth capitalised again with another soft try. 12-0. OLs had a try of their own denied to put them back in the game and to rub salt in the wound; a cruel interception gifts another try to Lutterworth for 19-0. OLs found the try line eventually, at end of the period, new boy winger Mark Tanner, CJs kick narrowly missing the upright. 19-5

A couple of replacements to give everyone a run out and OLs backs started to gel a little more. 17 mins in and a quickly taken line-out on the OLs 5m line, caught OLs unaware for a 24-5 score line at the end of the quarter.

Things started to hot up in the last quarter, with the first quality try from Lutterworth, right under the posts (29-5). OLs dug deep and within a few minutes Mitch Lampard gets on the score sheet 29-10. Time was not on OLs side but Fly Half John Carruthers saved the best try until last with a classy chip over the defense and a good finish for a final score 29-15 which flattered the home side.

OLs Summary