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1st XV v Worcester Wanderers: 20 - 26 (Away) |
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Written by Dennis Fisher
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Sunday, 28 September 2008 |
A try for
Worcester with the game less than a minute old was an immediate set back for OL’s. It came from a misdirected pass from an OL’s attack that gifted the
Worcester left wing an open run to goal. A further set back for OL’s followed with a head injury to scrum half Mark Foley that left him less than effective until he was replaced at half time. The lack of an effective scrum half created difficulties for the backs with slower than usual ball, allowing Worcester more time to encroach on the OL’s backs and prevent creative rugby.
Worcester on the other hand had a simple game plan – win good ball in the forwards and move it to capable wingers by the quickest route.
Despite these set backs OL’s did create chances and an early penalty was converted by Adam Canning to reduce the deficit. OL’s then enjoyed their best spell of the game despite
Worcester having the better of the play for long periods. A break through the
Worcester defence saw centre Rob Marr score a try under the posts, converted by Adam Canning. A further penalty decision gave Adam Canning the second opportunity in two weeks to demonstrate how accurately he can kick across the field (this time to an unmarked Rob Ridler) to enable a touch down in the corner. At 15 points to 5 the score line flattered the OL’s and following another fine run by the
Worcester winger the home side reduced the arrears to 12 - 15 at half time.
Forced into changes for the second half OL’s competed well but were always in danger of being outrun by the fast Worcester wingers and despite having good chances OL’s kept falling short of touch downs and all too often surrendered good ball by loose kicking and dropped passes.
Worcester continued to play their simple game plan and the wingers ran in two more tries, one of which was converted.
To their credit OL’s never gave in and continued to exert pressure on the home side. The pressure was rewarded five minutes from time when replacement prop Craig Ellis finished off a fine move with a try.
The last five minutes were all OL’s with attacking chances being limited by a dogged Worcester defence and the official awarding
Worcester a penalty for an OL’s crossing offence following a switch move between fly half Adam Canning and centre Rob Marr. The referee appeared to have responded to a desperate appeal from a
Worcester player, and stopped what was likely to have resulted in a winning score.
Fly half Adam Canning again displayed good tactical awareness from a limited availability of good quick ball.
OL’s next opponents are Ledbury at the Crofts. Concentration in training must be given to ball delivery from the base of the scrum, the principal fault in the set back at
Worcester .
Action from earlier in the season -
1st XV v Moseley Oak (EDF Senior Vase)
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