OAs vs Old Rutlishians
(Away - 12th January 2008)

Old Rutlishians RFC - 12 (5) [2T; 1C]

Old Alleynians FC - 35 (13) [T: Mead, Hood, Foster, Docherty, Wisson; C: Rutteman (2); P: Docherty, Rutteman]

Old Alleynians progressed to the last 16 of the Surrey Shield after an ultimately comfortable away win at Old Rutlishians of Surrey Two. With no doubts over the playing conditions due to the quality of the pitch, Old Alleynians started well and took the lead through a penalty for not releasing after Old Rutlishians were caught in possession deep inside their half from the kick off.

With their first concerted period of pressure, the scoreboard operator was soon in action again when a missed tackle out wide allowed the Old Rutlishians centre to score unopposed. The conversion went wide but provided a warning shot that the game was not going to be won at a canter.

With the Old Alleynian pack now starting to get into their stride the next opening soon arrived when Mead got on the end of a cross field kick, to take his try tally into double figures for this season in all competitions. Shortly afterwards a rolling maul was driven towards the Old Rutlishians line allowing Hood to stretch out and score his first try for the club.

Old Alleynians spurned further chances in the first half when the simple pass was on, with Old Rutlishians remaining in the game and providing stiff opposition upfront for much of the half. Foster opened the scoring in the second half with a try in the left corner but soon Old Rutlishians were back within a score when their forwards drove over on the right to make the scoreline 18-12.

Old Alleynians extended the lead when a penalty for not releasing was converted and as the game increasingly opened up and Old Rutlishians tired, the free running of the whole Old Alleynians side came to the fore. Two excellent team tries rounded off the win with Docherty and Wisson both scoring in the final fifteen minutes to record a 35-12 win and progression to the quarter finals.

Old Alleynians make a welcome return to Dulwich over the next fortnight with home league fixtures against Croydon and Old Freemens.

Team: Woodford, Fison, Wisson, Richardson, Martin, Thomas, Hood, Wright, Kent, Docherty, Barnes, Rutteman, Sandars, Mead, Foster.

Subs: Brown, Franklin, Jaanimagi, Waugh.