OAs vs Croydon
(Away - 10th November 2007)

Croydon RFC 10 (5) [2T]

Old Alleynians FC 18 (15) [T: Beaumont, Docherty; C: Docherty; P: Docherty (2)]

Old Alleynians consolidated second spot in the Surrey One league table on Saturday following an excellent all round display away at Croydon to keep up the pressure on Kingston at the top.

Playing with the considerable wind advantage in the first half Old Alleynians were quick to stamp their authority on the match, playing at pace and with mobility. Despite an initial try being correctly disallowed for a forward pass, no mistakes were made second time round when a free flowing move allowed Wood to feed Beaumont to score in the corner and register his first league try.

The Old Alleynian line out was functioning well and pressure on a home defensive throw gifted the second try. Croydon missed their jumper at the back of the line out, with the alert Richardson tapping the ball onto Docherty who scored to the right of the posts. With the conversion successful Old Alleynians opened up a twelve point lead.

This lead was soon extended when a penalty for not rolling away at a tackle situation gifted Old Alleynians a further three points. Croydon soon picked up their game, mainly through their strong pack and exerted a period of pressure in the Old Alleynian half. A number of rolling mauls were stopped just short of the line but eventually the pressure told when a pick and drive was grounded on the line.

The second half was predictability a much tighter affair given the wind but a sterling defensive effort kept Croydon at bay for virtually the whole period. Robertson continued to dart round the fringes, with Hartley dominant on the floor. Wright continued to ease the pressure at the scrum by picking up from Number 8 and setting the platform from which to build. Croydon did have a number of line outs close to the try line, but Thomas particularly put pressure on the jumper, and the Old Alleynians escaped several times.

Croydon struggled to dominant territory with their kicking game and Tullo counterattacked at will to take Old Alleynians forward. Croydon’s dangerous full back nearly broke free on a couple of occasions but mid half substitutions provided further impetus and soon the lead was extended to 18-5 with a penalty for handling in a ruck. Croydon did not concede defeat easily and in the closing minute scored a consolation try in the right corner after a number of penalties and forward drives created a gap for their scrum half to score. The match was played in good spirit throughout and an enjoyable game for the spectators, with the excellent referee significantly contributing to this.

To read the oppo report simply click here

Old Alleynians now take a deserved week’s rest before entertaining Cranleigh at home on the 24th November, 2.30pm kick off.

Players MOTM: Hartley (7 votes), Wright (5), Tullo (4), Thomas (1), Wisson (1).

Team: Wisson, White, Inzani, Richardson, Thomas, Senger, Hartley, Wright, Robertson, Docherty, Beaumont, Rutteman, Sandars, Tullo, Wood.
Subs: Juuko, Waugh, Woodford.