In a local derby match that saw both teams fully committed, Southam, playing the fist half down the slope with the strong wind at their backs took an early lead with a try and conversion, having dominated the first 15 minutes of the game. OL’s were having difficulty in clearing their defences and despite winning good ball, too often chose to kick into the wind when ball through the hands would have been the better option. As the game developed Southam continued to exert pressure and a long penalty from half way was converted by Killick, stretching Southam’s lead to 10 points. With OL’s forwards competing well and providing good ball, the first time that quick possession by the forwards was fed along the line, winger Dealtry shook off two Southam defenders to score a well taken try in the corner. Adam Canning’s kick into wind just failing to add the conversions points. With half time rapidly approaching a further kick ahead gave away possession saw a Southam player gather the ball and run almost unopposed for 60 meters until caught just short of the OL’s goal line by a desperate OL’s defence, but a failure to secure the loose ball saw Southam re-gather and score beneath the posts. Killick converted to give Southam a half time lead of 17 – 5. The second half began in similar fashion to the first with Southam exerting pressure on OL’s defence but the game turned on the introduction of replacement prop Paul Brown. OL’s now began to dominate the set and loose scrums and provided good ball to Canning who’s placement kicking with the wind well into Southam’s 22 metre area provided opportunities for the speedy OL’s wingers to put pressure on defenders and gain excellent attacking opportunities. Pressure was kept on Southam and despite gutsy defensive play it was inevitable that OL’s forwards, now pushing Southam’s pack backwards with driving mauls, would reap dividends. Second row forward Dave Sims emerged from one such maul and touched down between the posts for Adam Canning to convert. Continued forward dominance resulted in prop Keith Pritchard breaking off from a rolling maul to go over to score and bring the scores level. Canning again converted to give OL’s a 2 point lead going into the final 10 minutes. Territorially OL’s continued to enjoy the best options keeping Southam pinned into their own 22 by excellent placement kicks. Southam began to lose discipline and conceded penalties. One such penalty just inside the Southam half was converted by Canning to stretch the OL’s lead and shortly afterwards the same player struck a fine long range drop goal to take OL’s into an 8 point lead that they held until the final whistle. This game was played in excellent spirit by both teams and allowed to flow by a match official who controlled the game without excessive use of the whistle. It brings the OL’s back into winning ways prior to next week’s home match versus Woodrush when the first Patrons Lunch will precede the game.
Andy Hextall, “Barcode” man of the match worked a thoroughly deserved try all on his own. The sinewy number 8 charged at a Southam forward who was exceedingly surprised to be decked by someone half his size. Hextall was able to collect the spilled ball and score a try of his own. Mark Bissett, taking over from Jamie Brown in conversion duties added the points. The final try of the game went to that centre for OL’s who keeps scoring, and whose name has appeared quite enough in this match report already. OL’s worked the ball into the Southam 22 with some awesome driving mauls and won a penalty. Hextall fed Andy Hall from the quick tap. The veteran (actually, we’ll just say ‘old’) Fly half passed to the afore-mentioned and nameless centre, who brushed aside the Southam defenders. Oh, and he also got the conversion, taking his points tally to 29 for this game. Game over. This was a display of flair and power from the OL’s extras. Critics will argue that Southam were a weak side, playing a mixture of their third and second strings. We don’t really care about how the result is presented. This OL’s side won because it played better, much MUCH better than the other team. No disrespect to Southam, who kept at it and did not give in, but OL’s were superior in every area of the park. Tom Kerr and Adam Cleverly scrummaged with tact and power; Andy Croney hooked and threw well, winning several against the head and nailing EVERY line out. Bartlett was the work horse of the pack, making the tackles that needed to be made and being the guy who kept things going. Clapham played more like a wing forward, the guy was everywhere! He won his lineout and took the ball off the Southam throw several times. Liam Jones again stated his case for first team Rugby , scoring again and making a dozen or so breaks through the gain line. It is also worth noting that the Extra XV vice captain is the top scoring forward in the club. Dean Harris, asides a Benny Hill style run where he seemed to be as intent on skinning his own players as well as the Southam players, was the link between pack and back line, often appearing in the centres to make the pass that created the over-lap. Andy Hextall was phenomenal. The Number 8 was a deserved recipient of the “Barcode” man of the match award. Hextall was always a positive force, equally at ease doing the graft in the dirt and making majestic runs through the defence. The backs played well, scoring the points that came their way. If a criticism could be levelled at them it would be that too many loopy and ‘reverse-flick’ passes were attempted. But this is perhaps to be expected when you go into half time with fifty plus points on the board. Any team reading complacency into this would be ill advised. We have Broadstreet in the cup in a few weeks, and we are relishing the challenge they will present. This is a side that is not easily satisfied with its performance. We want the games that will ask more of us. And we are ready.......
