Old Coventrians 2nd XV - 2nd XV: 17-22

Written by Aaron Dudley

Sunday, 13 April 2008

A story of 2 halves. In the first, against the wind and under pressure, OL's proved the better executors of the chances that came their way. In the second, lets just say that Old Coventrians were the benefactors of some very 'close' calls. However, nothing can take away the fact that OL's deserved this win. Old Coventrians started strongly, playing an intelligent kicking game and scoring a quick try. However, unlike other XV's, this OL's team did not start infighting, nor did they drop their heads. Instead, they worked their way up the pitch and proved themselves the better technical maulers, despite their weightier and more experienced opponents. Oli Wright crossed for his first 2nd XV try, finishing off an awesome catch and drive from a lineout that did no wrong all day. Alas, Paul Towey was unable to convert but he more than made up for this by releasing a rampaging Rob Marr shortly after. The OL's forwards caught and drove up field following another succesful lineout, before allowing the backs ball. Towey and Marr timed both pass and run to perfection, the latter taking it at full pace and leaving his marker for dead. Outpacing the15 seemed a mere formality and Rob was able to assist Towey by touching down under the posts. The kick converted, the half ended and one very satisfied OL's side led 12 - 7. So the second half. Well, it started as well as the first half had ended. Demonstrating again their superior ability to ruck and maul consistently, the OL's pack tore into the Old Coventrians side with renewed vigour. Several quick phases inside the Old Coventrian 22 saw Jon Carnall hold his man and succesfully release the recently returned Ian Maul, who remembered how to score tries and touched down (just) under the posts. And then, it all went pear shaped. Old Coventrians were 'allowed' back into it, scoring 12 points and giving the result a somewhat unfair reflection of the ebb and flow of the game. The way in which these points were scored and the build up play to them caused some talking points, but Old Leamingtonians did not let this affect their composure and finished the game deserved victors. Special mentions should go to Rob Marr, causing the Old Coventrian back line no end of head aches with his pace and lines of running. Paul Salvin, an unexpected outside centre, was unlucky not to get on the score board following an 80m break. Maybe next time he'll go a little easier on the squats prior to the game. Shane (Not sure of his surname but the fat doorman from Mor Bar) and Andrew Hemming shrugged off the traditional image of props and proved themselves to be dangerous ball carriers. Oli Wright underlined his status as one of the promising young back row players, and in a different game would have generated far more penalties for OL's with his ability to pressure the tackled player into releasing the ball. Dean Harris was a constant thorn in many an Old Coventrians side and was unlucky not to score himself, courtesey of a little white line fever from a very apologetic OL's scrum-half (Again, sorry about that Dean). And finally Neil Hall, who again did what he has done all season and guaranteed that any man breking through the first line of defence was successfully stopped prior to breaking the whitewash with 2 or 3 big hits from full-back to prevent near certain scores. After the shambles of last week, this was a vast improvement. The hopeful passes to nowhere in an attempt to keep the ball alive were nowhere to be seen. The rucks were solid, the mauls clinical and the decision making shrewd. This was a side that had asked hard questions of itself, and provided the answers first time. Despite Old Coventrians coming back into it, despite calls going against them; we won. And we won well. This is a side on song, the shame of it being the season is nearly over. Shipston beware.......

 

< Prev		Next >