This was where it went a little Pete Tong for the Extras. Southam, taking advantage of OL’s over extending themselves in the rush for the line, stole the ball and were able to get behind the Extra’s strong back line. I believe it was one of the second rows who tried to chip it over Neil Hall. The full back, and recipient of the Barcode “DoD” award, innocently dropped his shoulder into which the Southam player ran. Later consultation in the bar saw the dive and pirouette receive 9.9 for artistic impression, however the damage was done and the penalty try given. The conversion was also added. Mr. Hall was given ten minutes to consider his efforts.

Andy Hextall, “Barcode” man of the match worked a thoroughly deserved try all on his own. The sinewy number 8 charged at a Southam forward who was exceedingly surprised to be decked by someone half his size. Hextall was able to collect the spilled ball and score a try of his own. Mark Bissett, taking over from Jamie Brown in conversion duties added the points.

The final try of the game went to that centre for OL’s who keeps scoring, and whose name has appeared quite enough in this match report already. OL’s worked the ball into the Southam 22 with some awesome driving mauls and won a penalty. Hextall fed Andy Hall from the quick tap. The veteran (actually, we’ll just say ‘old’) Fly half passed to the afore-mentioned and nameless centre, who brushed aside the Southam defenders. Oh, and he also got the conversion, taking his points tally to 29 for this game. Game over.

This was a display of flair and power from the OL’s extras. Critics will argue that Southam were a weak side, playing a mixture of their third and second strings. We don’t really care about how the result is presented. This OL’s side won because it played better, much MUCH better than the other team. No disrespect to Southam, who kept at it and did not give in, but OL’s were superior in every area of the park. Tom Kerr and Adam Cleverly scrummaged with tact and power; Andy Croney hooked and threw well, winning several against the head and nailing EVERY line out. Bartlett was the work horse of the pack, making the tackles that needed to be made and being the guy who kept things going. Clapham played more like a wing forward, the guy was everywhere! He won his lineout and took the ball off the Southam throw several times. Liam Jones again stated his case for first team Rugby , scoring again and making a dozen or so breaks through the gain line. It is also worth noting that the Extra XV vice captain is the top scoring forward in the club. Dean Harris, asides a Benny Hill style run where he seemed to be as intent on skinning his own players as well as the Southam players, was the link between pack and back line, often appearing in the centres to make the pass that created the over-lap. Andy Hextall was phenomenal. The Number 8 was a deserved recipient of the “Barcode” man of the match award. Hextall was always a positive force, equally at ease doing the graft in the dirt and making majestic runs through the defence.

The backs played well, scoring the points that came their way. If a criticism could be levelled at them it would be that too many loopy and ‘reverse-flick’ passes were attempted. But this is perhaps to be expected when you go into half time with fifty plus points on the board. Any team reading complacency into this would be ill advised. We have Broadstreet in the cup in a few weeks, and we are relishing the challenge they will present. This is a side that is not easily satisfied with its performance. We want the games that will ask more of us. And we are ready.......