OAs vs Croydon
(21st Jan 2006)

Old Alleynian's RFC 14 (8)
[T: Robinson - P: Docherty (2); Robinson]

Croydon RFC 12 (5)
[T: 2 - C: 1]

Old Alleynian's promotion campaign remains on track following another tight and tense Surrey Two league encounter. Sunny weather and firm underfoot conditions befitted two of the leading teams in the league and gave rise to an entertaining contest.

Croydon travelled to Dulwich having won eight of their last nine league outings but found themselves under pressure for the opening ten minutes following a strong Old Alleynian start. Playing with the slight wind advantage in the first half it was the Old Alleynian's who took the early lead with a long range penalty following an infringement at the breakdown. A similar penalty attempt moments later went just wide but the opening salvo was encouraging from the home side's perspective.

The much vaunted Croydon pack, which had caused Old Alleynian's problems in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, eventually found their feet and looked to assert themselves at the set pieces. The contrasting styles of play between both sides was clearly visible throughout, with Croydon looking to play a forward orientated game based around a strong mauling platform, while Old Alleynian's success lay in their more open and expansive running game.

Most of the first half was evenly contested with neither side able to build a commanding lead. After 30 minutes Croydon were awarded a penalty close to the Old Alleynian line and kicked for the corner, turning down the opportunity to level the scores. Their positive approach was rewarded after a succession of driving lineout mauls with a well taken try. The conversion was unsuccessful.

Old Alleynian's responded immediately with a strong midfield break from blind side winger Mead, allowing Sandars to pass wide to Robinson, who extended the lead to 8-5. A simple penalty opportunity went disappointingly wide just before half time leaving Old Alleynian's a slender three point lead at the interval.

The second half continued in similar vein to the first with both sides cancelling each other out. Mid way through the half Old Alleynian's extended their lead to six points with a penalty kick through Robinson. Croydon responded typically strongly but struggled to retain the ball at the scrum. Ably led upfront by Woodford, Topham and Yearwood, Old Alleynian's managed to disrupt and turnover the Croydon scrum on a number of occasions. After a succession of penalties for improper binding at the scrum, the referee, one of the best seen at the club all season, had no option but to send the prop to the sin bin.

Despite being down to fourteen men, Croydon, buoyed on by a boisterous and at times contrite travelling contingent, seized on a number of failed clearance attempts and took camp on the Old Alleynian line. A defiant defensive effort, epitomised by the superb back row, absorbed numerous driving mauls and kept the try line intact. Holding a vulnerable six point lead, the luck that had escaped the team the previous week away at Old Freemen's reappeared, when another driving line out maul went unrewarded, much to the dismay of the away players and supporters alike.

Eventually the pressure took its toll and Croydon drove over under the posts for a try. A successful conversion took them a point clear with one minute remaining. Old Alleynian's were now in serious danger of losing their fourth league match of the season, but a spirited chase from the kick off by Thomas contained Croydon to a scrum on the 22m line. A final determined effort from the pack resulted in Croydon failing to clear the ball. A possible turnover then ensued but was prevented in the ruck by a Croydon hand. A penalty was awarded 5m in from touch, and despite an erratic kicking performance, Docherty stepped up and kicked the three points to secure the 14-12 victory.

Next Saturday Old Alleynian's entertain league leaders Chipstead in what will undoubtedly be another close affair. Old Alleynian's will certainly need to be even more powerful and decisive in attack and defence if they are to be victorious.

[OA's Team: Tom Woodford; Phil Topham; Dennis Yearwood; Joe Richardson; Bertie Campbell-Baldwin; Giles Burris; John Hartley (c); Tom Harding; Fergus Davey; Jamie Docherty; Dan Mead; Tim Sandars; Mark Robertson; Jack Robinson; Tom Foster. Replacements: Jonas Jaanimagi; Evan Kislingbury; Bart Thomas]

Author - Jamie Docherty