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OAs vs London Exiles
(14th April 2007)
Old Alleynians - 32 [4T: Mead (2), Mahoney, Penalty; C: Docherty (3); P: Docherty (2)]
London Exiles RFC - 26 [4T; 3C]
Old Alleynian’s rounded off their first season back in Surrey One with a hard fought win over London Exiles at a scorching Dulwich Common on Saturday. With the home side needing a win and other results to go their way, there was an outside chance of finishing the league campaign with a creditable third place finish.
With good home support, Old Alleynian’s opened the scoring after a few minutes with a penalty from wide out following an infringement at the breakdown. Soon London Exiles, with their brand of running rugby, took the lead when an off load out of the tackle created the space for their right wing to score unopposed. With Old Alleynian’s surprisingly generous in defence and slow off the mark throughout much of the first half, London Exiles benefited soon afterwards with a further try out on the right.
Old Alleynian’s responded with a further penalty to reduce the deficit to six points by half time, when quick ball was illegally slowed down at a ruck in front of the posts. A few stern words at half time seemed to wake Old Alleynian’s and the continued openness of the game benefited both sides who looked to keep the ball in hand. Despite the sin binning of Robinson for a reckless high tackle, a midfield break by Mead allowed Old Alleynian’s to take the lead, with good support from replacement Fison, allowing Mead to escape the grasp of the full back and score by the posts.
Midway through the second half London Exiles stunned Old Alleynians with two quick converted tries to establish a 26-13 lead. A turnover in broken play and a good running line allowed the outside centre to score under the posts, and virtually from the kick off slick passing out wide on the left flank allowed the winger to score.
As so often this season Old Alleynian’s responded with a characteristic performance to dig themselves out of a hole. Concerted pressure on the London Exiles line allowed Southern to take the ball in space and he looked to have scored before a high tackle prevented the try. The referee rightfully awarded the penalty try. With Old Alleynian’s enjoying the open nature of the game, Mead surged down the left touchline to score and the conversion opened up a one point lead. Shortly afterwards the purple patch continued when Mahoney ripped the ball free in the tackle and ran in from thirty metres, not requiring the alongside support. The conversion drifted wide to leave Old Alleynians with a vulnerable six point lead.
Resolute defence kept London Exiles out and ensured a satisfying, if extremely exhausting win, to secure fourth spot in the league. Kingston scraped past Cranleigh to secure third spot but Old Alleynian’s finished the season having won 14 of their 20 league games, remained unbeaten in the league at home in 2007 and finishing with seven straight league wins. They were the only team to beat the league champions Old Wellingtonians and alongside them, were the only other side to beat every side at least once in the season.
Sincere thanks to the outgoing first team captain, John Hartley, for another outstanding season in charge; club coach, Nick Easter, for his commitment and approach in completing his second season; club captain, Jonas Jaanimagi, for his all round efforts in ensuring the Club functions so effectively; to the supporting club officials for their efforts; and to the players themselves for making it happen on the pitch. Old Alleynian’s are in an enviable position as a club, and hopefully the 2007-8 season will bring further success.
Team: Woodford, White, Van der Westhuizen, Southern, Jones, Mahoney, Hartley, Harding, Kent, Docherty, Mead, Rutteman, Sandars, Thomas, Robinson.
Subs: Fison, Campbell-Baldwin
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