1st XV v Southam: 32-0 (League)

Written by Dennis Fisher

Saturday, 31 January 2009

In the end OL’s came out comfortable winners in this local derby game but for the first hour the home side made hard work of overcoming the visitors. The game concentrated on a forward battle with Southam providing a stiff challenge to the home side in set pieces but generally coming off second best in the loose. OL’s appeared reluctant to use the speed and direct running of the three quarters during the first half of the game, but when the ball was thrown wide a neat move saw full back Rob Ridler coming into the line and feeding speedy winger Steven Dealtry who outpaced the opposition to cross over near the posts. A missed conversion followed and the score remained 5 - 0 until half time. The second half saw the home side playing with wind advantage and on the hour another smart three quarters move saw the ball fed wide providing space for Dealtry to again outpace the Southam defence to score his second try. The visitors were then subjected to intense pressure from OL’s and further tries followed at regular intervals from captain Luke Staton, flankers Liam Jones and Greg Williams, and a final score from centre Jamie Brown. Rob Marr added one conversion. This was another good all round performance from OL’s but the habit of kicking away possession remains a fault in the OL’s  game plan when other positive options are available with such speedy young three quarters at the teams disposal. Captain Luke Staton enjoyed a fine game as did centre Jamie Brown but all players showed good commitment on what was an extremely cold day. OL’s next match is the rearranged fixture at Pershore on 7th February, kick off 2.15pm.

 

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