OAs vs Old Cranleighans
(4th March 2006)

Old Alleynian's RFC 43 (12)
[T: Ross (2) Joy, Campbell-Baldwin, Mead, Sandars, Murungi – C: Robinson (4)]

Old Cranleighans RFC 3 (3)
[P: 1]

With the end of the league season fast approaching, Old Alleynians could be in contention of promotion into the Surrey 1. And with a draw and a loss in the last two fixtures, a victory against Old Cranleighans was vital.

Despite the absence of skipper Hartley and regular Fly Half, Docherty, the OA’s took a near full strength side to Surrey, with some new eager faces. The conditions were fantastic and the Old Cranleighan team looked an organised outfit with matching tracksuits.

The OA’s looked extremely focused and switched on in the opening moments of the match keeping the opposition buried in their own half. Sandars looked to release the back row as a potent weapon so as to open holes for the OA’s backs to fly through. Ross was, as ever, a powerful figure as he showed his attacking assets from the start. However, Old Cranleighans managed to dig themselves out and kicked tactically into the OA’s 22. Handling in the ruck then allowed them to kick for goal which the fly-half converted.

The OA’s responded in typical fashion! Constant pressure in the opposition half allowed for a shot at goal, however the windy conditions were a factor in the ball dropping short of the posts. This did not deter the forwards in any way, as a platform of rucks was built and it allowed Ross to use his power and speed to crash over the line for the OA’s first try. Robinson converted for a 7-3 lead. This try was now the bench mark for many more to come as the OA’s confidence seemed to boom with every minute.

The Old Cranleighan’s did show some signs of attacking flair ably led by their skilful fly-half, however the OA’s back line was as ever a rock in defence, with superb covering tackling from Salamony and Robertson. Just before half time, the OA’s went further into the lead. The gaps were opened by the forwards and a sweeping pass from Robinson in midfield was met beautifully by the speeding Joy who stepped the winger and powerfully shrugged off the fullback to score in the corner. The conversion was unsuccessful, but the OA’s took a 12-3 lead into half time.

The second half saw a performance from the forwards which could match any game all season. Orr was a constant threat in the tackle area whilst Harding with the Wales Ireland match still fresh in his mind was a giant, with some bone crunching tackles and he carried the ball with ferocity. Campbell-Baldwin was the next man to cross the line. A series of strong runs from the base of rucks from within the 22 gave him room he needed to power his way over for a rare long-range try (!), and he still had enough breath to call his opposite man “a numpty”.

With the opposition now in an irritated state of mind, the OA’s kept their heads cool and showed excellent fitness to still add more points to the scorecard. The game was being played from one side of the pitch to the other, which gave last week’s sin bin casualty Davey plenty of running to do. Not to mention the man in wellies and his friend with the Saracens top, who decided to abuse some of the OA’s team.

Ross added his second of the game with a sweeping run from midfield leaving the opposition clutching heals. Seeing this moment of genius, Sandars decided he could also run through the opposition back line to finish close to the corner, which in true Jonny Wilkinson fashion, Robinson stroked over.

There was more to come from the OA’s however, Mead hit a perfect line to cross over himself, before Andy showed why he was picked with a fantastic run beating several men before powering his way over for the OA’s final try of the game. The final score was 44-3 to the OA’s. This keeps pressure on Chipstead and Croydon who sit at the top of the table. The OA’s host Old Rutlishians next Saturday in another must-win game.

Team: Robertson, Salamony, Mead, Joy, Robinson, Sandars (capt), Davey, Woodford, Franklin, Yearwood, Vale, Campbell-Baldwin, Ross, Orr, Harding.

Subs: Fordham, Richardson.

Author - Jack Robinson