A well supported Wanderer’s team was greeted by a close warm and sunny Saturday for their first outing at the crofts this campaign. Rugby St Andrews were unable to put out a full team and rather than playing with reduced and uneven numbers, they conceded the game so that we could have a full 30 player match with some OLs agreeing to don a blue shirt.

With the points in the bag and after a minutes silence in honour of the late HRH ER II, OLs started strong when Hugh kier took an early high ball with ease and chased up to tackle the catcher. Seconds later, he was back in position to take another high ball. The resulting period of pressure culminated with a Max McCrickard miss-pass special to a waiting Hugh, putting Wanderers ahead.

R.S.A hit back quickly with some pick and goes to level the score. The pressure continued, but OLs avoided conceding due to efforts of Liam Dowson at 9 driving Nick David* playing for RSA out into touch (*claimed later to have been "pulled by the neck").

Injuries began to culminate on both sides. Players stepped up to swap into new and unfamiliar positions. OLs began to dominate, buoyed by big hits from Sam Collinson at 7 on his OLs debut. A spilled ball from a tackle was lobbed up field and gathered by OLs, passing from player to player until James Gorvett running a supporting line was able to put his first points of the season on the board.

Following a rousing talk from captain Alex French, OLs came out all guns blazing in the second half, with a big hit from Nick Tyler on wing. Another score from James along with Joe England’s first senior try as he makes the step up from colts began a period of dominance by the OLs. SImon Botchkiss had an instant impact with a swerving solo run starting at the half-way and ending under the posts. Adam Souster and Liam Dowson also scored as the result was secured.

Ben Laing, in as a replacement 10, opted for the straight drop kick and was thus able to add half a dozen points to the total. Unfortunately his kicking for touch wasn’t quite so successful: Pat Adcock, rampant as standing in as Rugby St. Andrews' fly half, was easily able to gather one such stray attempt and ultimately get the ball to Rich Kilpatrik, also playing for RSA, who's consolation try earned him the honour of a jug at the bar after the game.

A special mention for the players stepped up to play for the opposition. AJ Beesley was seemingly on his best behavior as he kept the knock-ons to a minimum. Carl Berisford put in a relenting defensive shift as he had 80 mins on the wing. When scrums inevitably become uncontested, both packs took this in good humour, congratulating themselves on the strength of their pushing while the ball was being hooked.

With the game ending 45-12, RSA picked out Rich Deaville for man of the match following his performance at front row. Stewart Clarke put in some great counter runs from restarts, but was awarded DoD as he didn’t manage to score off any of these.

Rugby won today, with the encounter remaining good natured despite the large points difference. Thanks to Andy Hall for stepping in as ref and letting the game go ahead. Next continue to train Thursdays 19:00 until next league match away against Cov Saracens at 15:00 Sat 1st October.