OAs vs Cranleigh RFC
(27th January 2007)

Cranleigh RFC 17 [3T - 1C]

Old Alleynians 8 [1T: Mead; P: Docherty]

Old Alleynian's crashed to their first defeat in five outings on Saturday, losing away to a committed and well organised Cranleigh side. After losing the toss, Old Alleynian's played up the slight slope and into the breeze in the first half and spent much of it on the defensive. With the set piece error strewn throughout it provided the Cranleigh half backs the platform from which to control the territorial game.

Two well worked drives provided the home side's scores in the first half, with the Old Alleynian's probably settling for the 12-0 deficit at the break given Cranleigh's domination. The second half provided the opportunity to start afresh and Old Alleynian's for the first fifteen minutes started strongly. A penalty in front of the posts for killing the ball reduced the scoreline to 12-3 and the game looked to be wide open again.

The early pressure did not continue though and with Old Alleynian's trying to force the pace, turnovers were conceded. An indifferent kicking game cost valuable field position on a few occasions and Cranleigh closed out the game with five minutes remaining with a try wide out in the right corner.

Old Alleynian's responded in the final few minutes, when after a series of penalties and forward momentum, Mead crossed out wide but it was too little too late.

Team: Woodford, White, Van der Westhuizen, Juuko, Thomas, Vale, Burris, Attlee, Kent, Docherty, Mead, Ross, Rutteman, Waring, McElduff.

Subs: Stevenson, Richardson, Murungi.