| Woodrush RFC - 1st XV: 16- 17 |
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| Written by Julian Clinton-Carter | |
| Sunday, 28 October 2007 | |
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Old Leamingtonians travelled to Woodrush RFC with a side showing seven changes from that which played the previous Saturday. In Autumnal conditions, Woodrush soon impressed with a number of quick rucks and swift movement of ball in hand travelling quickly along the backs. The home advantage and speed of thought and action allowed Woodrush to apply sustained pressure in the Old Leamingtonians half
and it was only a matter of time before something broke. Eventually Old Leamingtonians infringed well within kickable range and Woodrush duly scored 3 points from the penalty 25 minutes into the game. At the re-start, Woodrush set up a number of rolling mauls taking them in to the Old Leamingtonians half, where upon they released their backs who duly scored through swift ball in hand and direct running, leading to a touch down wide out unconverted. Old Leamingtonians competed consistently in all areas and it was clear that it was only a matter of time before they over came home advantage and started to impose themselves in the forwards leading to a scrambled loose kick from the Woodrush defence that was fielded by the Old Leamingtonians winger who chipped the on rushing defence, the ball being collected by Old Leamingtonians who were very unlucky to be adjudged to have touched down in touch and goal. The decision having been made by a party other than the referee only served to spur on the resolve of Old Leamingtonians as the half time whistle went. Half time score 8- 0 to Woodrush RFC At the re-start, Woodrush regained possession from their kick off and set up a couple of driving mauls sucking in the Old Leamingtonians defence upon which they released the ball down the blind side from forty five meters out and through a combination of slack tackling and good close quarter handling Woodrush touched down wide on the left. With fifteen minutes of the half gone and Old Leamingtonians trailing by 13 points Adam Canning came on at fly half. Instantly his incisive running and deceptive handling skills had Woodrush all at sea. From a set piece that Old Leamingtonians had started to dominate, the ball was released through the backs and a combination of straight incisive running and quick accurate passing lead to outside centre Malc Boyd crossing the Woodrush line out on the right hand side with time to run round to touch down under the posts. The try duly being converted by Adam Canning. The writing was now on the wall, the cohesiveness and total commitment of the Old Leamingtonians players was clearly becoming an issue for Woodrush. The fitter Old Leamingtonians were starting to dominate most areas of play and in a twenty minute period of intense and absorbing rugby, Woodrush scored a penalty to go 16-7 up, only to find themselves the victims of further skill by Adam Canning, who with some astute kicking set up a position from which prolific winger Alex Pain crossed the Woodrush line on the left hand touchline. Adam Canning duly converted to further apply pressure to the resolve of the home side. It was clear that the superior fitness of the Old Leamingtonians was again coming to the fore and after a further period of pressure in the Woodrush half an infringement at a ruck led to a penalty 25 meters out duly converted by Adam Canning to put Old Leamingtonians 16-17 ahead. In a hectic final six minutes Woodrush were awarded a penalty wide out on the left 30 meters out, the pressure being what it was and with the momentum of the game going with Old Leamingtonians it was with despair that the Woodrush kicker failed to convert for the home side. Final result Woodrush RFC 16 – Old Leamingtonians RFC 17 Old Leamingtonians will be pleased to welcome Dunlop next Saturday to the Crofts on the occasion of the first Patrons lunch of the season |
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