1st XV - Spartans: 13 - 12

Written by Julian Clinton-Carter

Saturday, 08 September 2007

OL’s clinched this match nine and a half minutes into injury time when Adam Canning converted a penalty to nudge them in front. The points had looked to be going to Spartans when the referee awarded them a kickable penalty with 30 seconds of normal time to go. The kick was missed and Old Leams played some exceptional retention rugby to keep the ball in play until they were awarded the penalty that clinched the game. Spartans were dominant in the set pieces and line out play and repeatedly disrupted the OL’s forwards. As early as the fifth minute a forwards infringement provided the Spartans pack with a penalty that led to a line out and rolling maul to give the visitors an early seven point lead. Whilst dominant in the forwards Spartans had difficulty in containing the OL’s speedy backs, well served by returning Luke Staton who had an outstanding game at scrum half and Dan Peart, both returning from long term injury problems. It was Staton who reduced the Spartans lead after 20 minutes with a crisp sprint from 30 meters after being fed a superb line breaking pass by number 8 Like Turner. The best try of the match followed just before half time to give OL’s a half time lead 10 – 7.The move started on the right flank and the ball was moved at speed along the line to flying winger Rob Ridler who outpaced his opposition before delivering an inside pass to Peart to cross the line.The second half followed much the same pattern as the first with Spartans dominating the forward play with OL’s pack having to defend resolutely and with great credit for most of the game. When ball was won the speedy backs were able to penetrate the Spartans threeequarters defence on a number of occasions and it was only a lack of vision that prevented overlaps being used to convert excellent back play into points.Spartans regained the lead with a try out wide on the right following a period of forward pressure to give them a two point lead going into the final quarter. Fifteen minutes from the end of the game OL’s were reduced to 14 men when fly half Alex Stajka, who had controlled play with style, was dismissed but this only seemed to spur OL’s on.The extra fitness instilled at pre-season training certainly paid off but it was a cliff hanger until the final extra time penalty that gave OL’s the points.

 

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