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.