OAs vs The Law Society RFC
(16th September 2006)

Law Society RFC 13 (3)
[T: 1 - C: 1 - P: 1]

Old Alleynian's RFC 33 (12)
[T: Robertson (2), Robinson, Diamond, Docherty - C: Docherty (4)]

OA’s recorded their second successive Surrey One win on the road defeating the Law Society in unusually warm September conditions at the King's College Sports Ground on Saturday.  With pre-match preparations disrupted by the late arrival of the referee, it was the Law Society who started the better and took an early lead through a penalty after blocking in the mid-field.

Playing up hill in the first half, OAs quickly gained their composure and soon took the lead when the home side’s full back made a hash of a sliced cross field kick from a penalty close to the opposite touchline.  After allowing the ball to bounce, the alert Robinson calmly picked up the loose ball and touched down for one of his easier scores. 3-5.

The limited Law Society backline never posed a threat but it was the forwards who were in for a battle up front for most of the afternoon.  The bigger home pack tried to assert their dominance throughout the first half, both in the tight and in the line out.  They probably faired better in the line out, disrupting OA ball and restricting the quick ball the away backs desired.  In the tight though were met by the resolute defence of the OA back row.  Orr was particularly to the fore, backing up the fiery Diamond.

As the respective packs continued to battle it out, gaps started to appear around the fringes and Diamond’s patience was eventually rewarded.  Taking the ball off the back of a rolling maul he caught the home side napping and raced over unopposed.  OA’s led 12-3 at half time and with the slope in their favour, a win looked on the cards if they could absorb the Law Society’s forward threat.

The second half saw the OA line out fair a little better but still continuity was restricted due to the alarming penalty count against the OAs.  This gave the Law Society the platform they desired but they could not turn possession and territory into points.  Eventually the ball got turned over and OAs escaped from their own half.

Robertson soon opened his season’s try tally when he hit a great line and took an offload from a half break inside.  3-19. Soon afterwards the Law Society hit back when, after a series of penalties, a try was awarded after the ball was adjudged to have touched the whitewash following another forward drive.  10-19.  A penalty quickly followed which was converted to leave OAs with a vulnerable six point lead. 13-19.

The OAs were never in any real danger of losing however and the calm Robertson sealed the victory when his own well executed chip was collected and he raced over beating the covering defence.  13-26. Shortly afterwards, with the match drawing to its conclusion, Docherty beat his opposite man and touched down next to the posts.  13-33.

A fine all round performance given the pre-match disruptions with a particular word of note to the pack for stifling the potentially dangerous Law Society forwards.  The win takes OAs to second in the table after the opening two rounds, behind last season’s Surrey Two champions Croydon.  Next up, Old Tiffinians at home this Saturday.

All support most welcome!

Team: Woodford, Fison, Topham, Thomas, Southern, Ross, Orr, Harding, Diamond, Docherty, Robinson, Robertson, Mead, Murungi, Hollyer.

Replacements: Burris, Hipperson, Jaanimagi.