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Sat 11 Jan 2020 · London 2 South East
O Colfeians
1st XV
31
3
A day to forget......
Ian GEERING11 Jan 2020 - 19:11
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As Old C's come out on top in this third place clash.....
Match Report by Rick Howe
Photo's by Drew Pratt.
This was ‘Boro’s first game for 24 days, in contrast to Old Colfeians ’s who were able to run off the Christmas Pudding with a run out the previous week in the RFU Intermediate Cup.
On a dank wet, windy and cold afternoon in South London, the result between these two sides, who stood in joint third place before the encounter, could define the rest of their season. In their last encounter Crowborough ran out convincing winners, and from the outset of this game it was clear that OC’s were intent on revenge.
In recent seasons Exeter RFC have had great success with their particular brand of forward dominated rugby which although to some may be boring and predictable, has undoubtedly been effective. From the outset of this match up, it was clear that those televised lessons have not been ignored by the large dominant OC pack, who were soon crossing the ‘Boro line to record the first of their four converted tries. 7-0
OC’s were dominant in the set piece and disruptive in the loose making, clean or indeed any meaningful possession for the visitors, somewhat of a lottery. Mitch Malherbe put in two bone jarring, man and ball tackles on the OC centres, which had they been followed up by the back division as a whole, could have altered the OC game plan. As it was the OC #’s 10 and 15 were allowed to run the show very much at will and only poor handling at the last moment, and intrusive forwards in the line, prevented more damage being done.
Ollie Clinch pulled three points back when the official in the centre awarded a penalty, and then in what was to become a feature of this match, gave an extra 10 metres for dissent bringing the posts within range. 7-3
As the half drew to a conclusion the ‘Boro backs started to get to grips with their defence, where, led by the solid Rob Lester the “press” cut down the space forcing the point of attack towards Ali Main and the back row trio.
Following several minutes of pick and drives by the home side, and some equally impressive defensive work by the ‘Boro pack, and a series of strange decisions against the visitors, frustration built, and with the half drawing to a close Alex Purnell was shown yellow. With the OC’s just ten metres out they elected to eschew the three points in favour of the scrum. With seven forwards, and the pack already under the cosh with a full eight, the converted score by the OC flanker was a formality 14-3 HT.
As the sides turned around, in the absence of Purnell, Ben Martyn, came off the bench to even up the front row. Unfortunately, as bizarre decisions continued, ‘Boro’s continued questioning lost any sympathy that the official may have had, adding extra metres to penalty decisions, before he eventually lost patience and showed yellow, first to Matt Botterman, and moments later to Ben Martyn, leaving ‘Boro with thirteen men against a rampant and jubilant OC pack, once more camped deep in the ‘Boro 22.
To their credit the ‘Boro truncated pack rose to the challenge, and resisted the customary forward pressure, gaining some pride when OC’s were forced to spread the ball wide sending the impressive, hirsute #15, crashing over for the third converted try.21-3
Back to full strength, but with the clock running down and the game already lost, ‘Boro set out their stall to limit further damage by taking the game to the home side, unfortunately this left them vulnerable at the back, and as an attack broke down, the best and bonus point try was constructed, involving much of the OC side and most of their backs who drew the defender before off-loading to a supporting runner leaving the left wing as the final recipient to dot the ball down for a well converted final try 28-3
OC’s were able to add a further 3 points as the whistle brought the game to an end. 31-3
Although on the wrong end of the result, there were a few positives, with Ben Martyn showing that class and experience is enduring, and the packs’ impressive collective defence against the pick and drive.
As an indication of the competiveness of this League, by virtue of their win, Old Colfeians move from joint third to 2nd on 43 points, and Crowborough move from joint third to sixth on 38 points just 6 points clear of ninth placed and next week’s opposition, Thanet Wanderers, KO 2:00pm. Clearly this is time for ‘Boro “to get back on the horse”.
Photo's by Drew Pratt.
This was ‘Boro’s first game for 24 days, in contrast to Old Colfeians ’s who were able to run off the Christmas Pudding with a run out the previous week in the RFU Intermediate Cup.
On a dank wet, windy and cold afternoon in South London, the result between these two sides, who stood in joint third place before the encounter, could define the rest of their season. In their last encounter Crowborough ran out convincing winners, and from the outset of this game it was clear that OC’s were intent on revenge.
In recent seasons Exeter RFC have had great success with their particular brand of forward dominated rugby which although to some may be boring and predictable, has undoubtedly been effective. From the outset of this match up, it was clear that those televised lessons have not been ignored by the large dominant OC pack, who were soon crossing the ‘Boro line to record the first of their four converted tries. 7-0
OC’s were dominant in the set piece and disruptive in the loose making, clean or indeed any meaningful possession for the visitors, somewhat of a lottery. Mitch Malherbe put in two bone jarring, man and ball tackles on the OC centres, which had they been followed up by the back division as a whole, could have altered the OC game plan. As it was the OC #’s 10 and 15 were allowed to run the show very much at will and only poor handling at the last moment, and intrusive forwards in the line, prevented more damage being done.
Ollie Clinch pulled three points back when the official in the centre awarded a penalty, and then in what was to become a feature of this match, gave an extra 10 metres for dissent bringing the posts within range. 7-3
As the half drew to a conclusion the ‘Boro backs started to get to grips with their defence, where, led by the solid Rob Lester the “press” cut down the space forcing the point of attack towards Ali Main and the back row trio.
Following several minutes of pick and drives by the home side, and some equally impressive defensive work by the ‘Boro pack, and a series of strange decisions against the visitors, frustration built, and with the half drawing to a close Alex Purnell was shown yellow. With the OC’s just ten metres out they elected to eschew the three points in favour of the scrum. With seven forwards, and the pack already under the cosh with a full eight, the converted score by the OC flanker was a formality 14-3 HT.
As the sides turned around, in the absence of Purnell, Ben Martyn, came off the bench to even up the front row. Unfortunately, as bizarre decisions continued, ‘Boro’s continued questioning lost any sympathy that the official may have had, adding extra metres to penalty decisions, before he eventually lost patience and showed yellow, first to Matt Botterman, and moments later to Ben Martyn, leaving ‘Boro with thirteen men against a rampant and jubilant OC pack, once more camped deep in the ‘Boro 22.
To their credit the ‘Boro truncated pack rose to the challenge, and resisted the customary forward pressure, gaining some pride when OC’s were forced to spread the ball wide sending the impressive, hirsute #15, crashing over for the third converted try.21-3
Back to full strength, but with the clock running down and the game already lost, ‘Boro set out their stall to limit further damage by taking the game to the home side, unfortunately this left them vulnerable at the back, and as an attack broke down, the best and bonus point try was constructed, involving much of the OC side and most of their backs who drew the defender before off-loading to a supporting runner leaving the left wing as the final recipient to dot the ball down for a well converted final try 28-3
OC’s were able to add a further 3 points as the whistle brought the game to an end. 31-3
Although on the wrong end of the result, there were a few positives, with Ben Martyn showing that class and experience is enduring, and the packs’ impressive collective defence against the pick and drive.
As an indication of the competiveness of this League, by virtue of their win, Old Colfeians move from joint third to 2nd on 43 points, and Crowborough move from joint third to sixth on 38 points just 6 points clear of ninth placed and next week’s opposition, Thanet Wanderers, KO 2:00pm. Clearly this is time for ‘Boro “to get back on the horse”.
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