RUGBY: Old Laurentians
OLs inflict on the second defeat of the season on league leaders.
Midlands 2 West (South)
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 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 after just seven minutes when Adams displayed a hitherto well hidden subtlety with a neat 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 following 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 an OLs attack foundered, Wanderers broke out of defence on the counter. But great OLs covering turned over their possession and Evans switched play right for Wallis to deliver a perfectly timed pass to Simon Bayliss. Beating his man on the outside, the winger outflanked the defence to go over under the posts, Evans converting for a half time scoreline of 14-3.
Evans added to OLs' 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 unyielding, spearheaded by another mighty display from the back row of Adams, Glenn Todd and Tom Gleghorn. This trio, with scrum half Parker, were dominant in the tackle area, frequently forcing their opponents back as they tried to construct attacks; and props Chris le Poidevin and Garrie Reeve pulled off great cover tackles.
But the visitors found a way through after ten minutes when heavy pressure sucked in OLs' defenders and centre James Price spotted an opening to go over under the posts for a 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 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.
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
Warwickshire League 1
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 despite the result 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 control of the game and the first visit to the opposition 22 saw Dave Longrigg drive down the blindside from a line out and feed skipper Ricky Reed for a score in the corner
OLs' 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 prominent, 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 had the misfortune to sustain another serious injury on his return to the game after a long lay off.
Great driving play from Hammond and replacement Volkman fed the giant Paul Amor who charged 40 metres upfield 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 and with OLs' skipper Reed having to leave the field early in the half it meant more changes.
The home team then took advantage of some poor play in OLs' 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 greater with the 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 local rivals was warmly celebrated.
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Weather for Rugby
Thursday 09 February 2012
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