OAs vs Old Tiffinians RFC
(23rd September 2006)

Old Alleynian RFC 18 (15)
( T - Diamond, Robinson; C - Robinson; P - Robinson [2] )

Old Tiffinians RFC 21 (15)
( 2T; 1C; 2P; 1D )

Warm, sunny September conditions continued for Old Alleynian’s first home fixture of the league season.  On the back of two away wins, a solid home performance was required to consolidate the promising start to the season.

After seven minutes an exchange of passes in the midfield split the defence allowing Diamond to coast in unopposed to open the scoring to the left of the posts.  5-0.  From the restart OA’s were penalised for being off their feet at the ruck, and from 35m out, the lead was cut to two points with a well taken penalty.  5-3.

The scoring continued apace soon after when a superb offload in the midfield by Ross, allowed the supporting winger, Robinson, to score under the posts.  12-3.  The scoreline was extended further shortly afterwards for killing the ball, Robinson kicking the resultant penalty.  15-3.

For the opening twenty-five minutes Old Tiffinians had been second best in all aspects of the game.  This soon changed when after a half break and some sloppy tackling, a try was scored by the away lock. 15-10.  The pressure on the home defence continued, when after a couple of penalties, and a charged down clearance kick, a scrum was awarded 10m out under the posts.  From the set piece a simple backline move, coupled with poor OA defending, allowed the opposing full back to score out wide in the right hand corner.  15-15.

On the stroke of half time, a tackle from Topham turned the ball over and from the resulting scrum Robinson released Mead who broke through in midfield.  Unfortunately the move petered out and despite allowing Old Tiffinians back into the game, Old Alleynian’s turned round confident of securing a win, provided they could improve their continuity and dominance at the scrum.

Old Alleynian’s kicked off the second half and were soon awarded a penalty 25m out.  The kick went wide and from the 22m drop out, a collision between Pass and Robertson caused the ball to be spilled and subsequently hacked through to the Old Alleynian 22, where the home side were penalised for not releasing.  The penalty was once again converted to take the score to 15-18.

Robinson replied immediately with a penalty to tie the scores following a series of powerful back row drives into the Old Tiffinians half.  Diamond took another quick penalty and was again thwarted by the defence not retreating.  This took the penalty to within range and was converted.  18-18.

For the next 25 minutes the scores remained locked, with the Old Alleynian’s unable to capitalise on their possession and achieve territorial advantage.  The pack continued to be dominant at the scrummage, with one being taken against the head, and Southern continued to disrupt the Old Tiffinians line out.  Quick tap penalties kept the Old Alleynian’s on the front foot, but despite an increasing penalty count and a seeming reluctance to show any yellow cards, Old Tiffinians remained in the match.

An interception by Mead nearly provided the needed breakthrough but play was rightly called back for an earlier knock on.  Shortly afterwards Old Alleynian’s were fortunate not to concede themselves when blocking was adjudicated in the midfield.

As the clock ran down, Old Tiffinians, having spent much of the game on the back foot, rallied for one last effort.  Having being awarded a penalty for pulling down in the line out play moved into the Old Alleynian half.  A further penalty was awarded and from the resulting line out, the ball came out to the Old Tiffinians fly half, who struck a well executed drop goal to put his side ahead with minutes remaining.

Old Alleynian’s had little time to respond, despite the best efforts of Diamond, who was again not allowed the freedom of a clear 10m from a penalty.  Eventually the ball was turned over and a penalty allowed the ball to be cleared to touch to end the game.

A disappointing defeat for the Old Alleynian’s given the early twelve point lead, dominance at the scrum, line out disruption and having posed the greater attacking threat.  It was also a shame that the performance for large periods did not befit the standard of the Harding’s post match banquet.

Kingston, who recorded an impressive away win at Croydon, are next up for the Old Alleynian’s this Saturday.

Team: Woodford, Topham, Van der Westhuizen, Southern, Thomas, Hartley, Orr, Harding, Diamond, Wood, Robinson, Ross, Mead, Pass, Robinson.

Replacements: Attlee, Jaanimagi, Juuko.