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OAs vs Chiswick RFC
(Away - 13th October 2007)
Chiswick RFC - 21 (14) [3T – 3C]
Old Alleynians - 11 (8) [T: Roberts; P: Docherty (2)]
Old Alleynians participation in this season’s EDF Energy Junior Vase ended on Saturday with a narrow defeat away at Chiswick, allowing them to concentrate their efforts on the league campaign.
Both teams observed a minute’s silence ahead of kick off in memory of Dave Harrop, a club member who tragically passed away the previous weekend. Following an encouraging start to the season Old Alleynians had travelled to West London confident of continuing their recent good run of form. The opening salvo promised much, a sweeping team try from inside the Old Alleynian half saw Sandars round his man on the outside to feed Roberts who scored unopposed in the right hand corner.
The early setback roused Chiswick who came back strongly and started to piece together a number of phases of play. The pressure led to a penalty to the left of the posts but the kick rebounded off the upright and the danger was averted by the alert Kislingbury. Chiswick were soon on the scoreboard when a kick into the 22 evaded the Old Alleynian defence and they were beaten to the high bounce to concede a converted try.
Opting to play against the slight slope in the first half the Old Alleynians regularly gained territorial advantage through a number of half breaks and their improved kicking game. A couple of penalties on the home defensive line promised much but the rolling mauls collapsed with the try line imminent. Old Alleynians did come away with a penalty soon after following an offside infringement in midfield. Chiswick soon extended their lead however when a break down the blind side from half way, and generous Old Alleynian defence, allowed the winger to score wide out on the right. With the conversion successful Chiswick took a 14-8 lead into the interval.
The second half proved a tight affair with the Old Alleynian pack continuing to scrummage well and comfortably secure line out ball. Chiswick opted to kick for territory and succeeded on a couple of occasions but the Old Alleynian defence absorbed the pressure. Mid way through the half Old Alleynians again suffered when a number of promising mauls collapsed close to the Chiswick line and the danger averted. The lead was soon cut to three points with another penalty to the right of the posts for offside.
In a tense closing ten minutes Old Alleynians pushed for the win with Sandars again making an outside break but the home defence hung on deep in their 22. With five minutes remaining the Chiswick scrum half ran up a seemingly blind alley but a missed tackle allowed him to escape, and despite a great covering Roberts tackle, he managed to regain his footing and clinch the winning score.
Overall a resilient performance that could of led to a win another day. A little more composure at certain times is needed to play the game in the right areas but despite being outscored 3-1 on the try count, Old Alleynians left rueing a missed opportunity of progressing in the cup.
The more important league action returns this Saturday where another away trip beckons, this time to Kingston, the only other team that has won its first two league outings and who pipped Old Alleynians to third spot in the league last season.
Team: Wisson, Topham, Van der Westhuizen, Martin, Thomas, Orr, Hartley, Wright, Kent, Docherty, Kislingbury, Rutteman, Sandars, Mead, Roberts.
Subs: March, Sanger, Stevenson, Tedaldi.
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