OAs vets vs Blackheath vets
(Home - 13th December 2009)

Old Alleynians DOGs 6 (6)

Blackheath Banshees 35 (14)

A somewhat glorious affair, but no silverware in the doggy-bag this year...

The Banshees having lost their way along the south circular, the KO was delayed by 15 minutes. They would nevertheless find their way in the second half of the game. Like any veterans’ team, the DOGs had their own issues on that Sunday: for many it was a late night courtesy of John Murawsky’s gallant boxing fight, it was also a second game of rugby in the week-end for some, few good names were missing because of injuries, a few knocks were carried along on the pitch too etc… Still, a strong side was present, with some good men on the bench too.

Ultimately, it was a game of two halves: The first saw OAs Corinthians ruffling the feathers of the prima donnas and dominating territory and possession; the second saw the steady strength and vast experience of a strong and competent Blackheath squad slowly, but surely, taking control. Experience indeed seemed to be there, if one of the Banshees’ startled forwards is to be believed: “You don’t know who you are messing with!”. Well, perhaps not… But OAFC DOGs had a dash of panache too; and according to the on-lookers, they remained the better looking side.

All looked promising to OAs DOGs early in the match: with the forwards stealing the ball, the backs moving it quickly and the help of the bionic boot, the DOGs were camped in Blackheath’s half with the latter team conceding penalties under pressure. At the 11th minute, the Banshees managed to reach the DOGs’ 22, but upon a call from the Sandars brothers, Dil, who was running the ball, expertly chipped it above the defence, Buster was first there and he nicely kicked down-field for the Colonel who, having a tough first team game in the legs, was just edged by a lone banshee defender hurling himself to the ground and onto the ball.

Blackheath Banshees survived. OAFC DOGs were unlucky not too score a couple of tries in that first half, but some credit has to be given to a determined defence from the Banshees. Further tough luck came at the 15th minute when Blackheath scored against the run of play from a good surge by their forwards and a reshuffling mistake of the DOGs’ defence that had left much space on their open side; space that was quickly put to good use by the Banshees’ backs.

Despite the good efforts of the DOGs whose forwards were still securing possession and the backs still making the ground, Blackheath scored again just before half-time with a strong scrummaging display. The score of 6-14 at half-time was harsh for the DOGs who had conducted most of the rugby thus far, and were severely punished by a mistake and a good set-piece from their opponents.

5 minutes into the second half, a second impressive scrum from the visitors yielded another try that perhaps irremediably tilted the game in their favour. It had now become a big ask for the impact players to turn the score around: scoring tries would not be easy and the Banshees appeared set on making the best of any opportunities.

Despite some good efforts by Huller and the Colonel to accelerate the game and create some space, the Banshees had regained confidence. They would never look back: their forwards were now aggressively storming the rucks (from all sides?) and were also off-loading the ball effectively; their backs were then making the best of it in a style not dissimilar to what has made the DOGs a successful team these past seasons… Blackheath now smelled the victory, and even throwing the clipboard at them was futile.

It remained a good game to watch to the end.

DOGs’ bollocks for OAFC DOGs v Blackheath Banshees is Gibbo: strength and quite some pace for a big man, relentless and ubiquitous too. Gibbo is to be ladled on sight with good port, brew or whatever at hand. 4G is the call.

SQUAD:
1. Jonas “Impala” Jaanimagi
2. G. “Owen” McUnwin
3. Mark “Satch” Satchell
4. Dave “Shark bite” Fairbairn
5. Lee “Gibbo” Gibson
6. Richard “Swanny” Swann
7. Ed “Colloquial” Bowden
8. Mark “Mooro” Moore
9. Dilwyn “Dil” Sheers
10. John “Bionic” Seneschal
11. David “I’ll be back” Tucker
12. Paul “Holly Elvis” Koloi
13. Kingsley “Kings” Mbanuzue
14. Dave “Buster” Sandars
15. Tim “Colonel” Sandars (c)

Phil “Hullers” Hulston
Mohuntan “Siri” Sriskantha
Mike “Lobby” Lobb
Ian “Spike” Kenny
Fabrice “Fab” Bollet-Quivogne