OAs vs The Law Society
(10th March 2007)

Old Alleynian RFC 22 (10) [4T: Mead (2), Rutteman, Sandars: C: Docherty]

Law Society RFC 10 (5) [2T]

Old Alleynians completed a league double over the struggling Law Society with a comfortable, if at times frustrating, win on Saturday. Given a three week playing absence, due to a free weekend and subsequent bad weather, the Old Alleynian performance often looked rusty and lacked its regular fluidity in building attacking momentum.

Opting to play into the strong wind and sun in the first half, Old Alleynians looked to contain the bigger Law Society pack for the opening period and use the wind to their advantage in the second half. The opening kick-off failed to travel 10m and allowed Old Alleynians to seize the early initiative. A midfield break allowed the supporting Thomas to make inroads into the away defence before the ball was turned over. It was not long before the scoring opened when a chip over the flat defence allowed Mead to round his opposite man and score in the left corner.

The spirited Law Society soon hit back through their pack. A rolling maul off a line out was driven over and allowed the scores to be tied at 5-5. With the game punctured by disruption at the set piece both sides failed to build any notable phases of play. It was left to Mead to again extend the scoreline when after a turnover the ball was moved to the left and deft footwork allowed the ball to be dribbled over the line in the corner.

The Law Society again responded through their pack, which allowed the inside centre to cut through unopposed. A try saving tackle in the corner by Wood prevented the score and the Law Society were perhaps unfortunate to be adrift at half time.

With the wind at their backs in the second half Old Alleynians were looking to gain territorial advantage to obtain control of the game. Through a combination of a poor lineout, indifferent kicking and a few players getting isolated and turned over, the game plan was not executed efficiently. The few moments of concerted pressure led to tries for centres Rutteman and Sandars.

With the match seemingly won Old Alleynians defence eased off and they conceded a sloppy try under the posts. The drop goal conversion was missed however. In the last few minutes, a turnover led to a loose ball being hacked through to the Law Society line but was deemed, correctly, to have been knocked on in the tackle over the line.

Overall another league win but the performance will need to be lifted in the weeks ahead if Old Alleynians are to finish their first season in Surrey One strongly.

Team: Woodford, Topham, Van der Westhuizen, Juuko, Richardson, Thomas, Mahoney, Harding, Kent, Docherty, Mead, Rutteman, Sandars, McElduff, Wood.

Subs: White, Wilson, Smiddy.