OAs vs Chipstead
(28th Jan 2006)

Old Alleynian's RFC 31 (15)
[T: Mead (3), Burris - C: Robinson
P: Robinson (3)]

Chipstead RFC 27 (17)
[T: 3 - C: 3 - P: 2]

Old Alleynian's welcomed Chipstead, the latest league leaders of Surrey Two, to Dulwich Common on Saturday. A sunny, dry day provided the ideal setting for another tense occasion as both sides looked to play an expansive game and to consolidate their quest for promotion.

Despite playing into a strong wind, the OA's started extremely well and forged ahead 10-3 after fifteen minutes. A dominant opening display from the pack created the space for blind side winger Mead to cross twice. The first of his afternoon's hat trick came from an inside ball to charge through at the side of the ruck. Moments later a powerful run by Campbell-Baldwin from a free kick inside the Chipstead 22 took Old Alleynian's just short of the try line. The resultant ruck allowed Mead to cross unopposed to give the home side a deserved lead.

Old Alleynian's formidable opening was halted when a serious leg injury to hooker Topham resulted in a ten minute delay whilst an ambulance was sought. This allowed Chipstead to regroup and the match was moved to the smaller second team pitch. Almost immediately Chipstead levelled the scoreline with a well taken try out wide after a number of phases of play.

Moments later Chipstead extended their lead to 17-10 with a further converted try, despite suggestions of a knock on in midfield in the build up. This spurred Old Alleynian's back into life and the sin binning of the Chipstead flanker for over aggressive use of his feet at a ruck before half time assisted this. A number of penalties for infringements at subsequent breakdowns allowed Old Alleynian's to advance from their 22 into the visitors 22. A defending scrum was put under extreme pressure by the home side's pack causing the Chipstead Number 8 to lose control, allowing the feisty Burris to pick up and score with ease. The try was not converted but reduced Chipstead's lead to 17-15 lead at the interval.

Playing with the wind advantage in the second half Old Alleynian's quickly regained the lead. A line out taken off the top allowed Docherty to go clean through the Chipstead backline and an offload to the supporting Mead gave the winger a well deserved hat trick. The conversion put Old Alleynian's 22-17 ahead.

Old Alleynian's tried to seize the second half initiative through a tactical kicking game in order to gain field position in the Chipstead half. A penalty extended the lead to 25-17 before a failed clearance attempt deep in the Old Alleynian 22 provided Chipstead with an attacking scrum. After conceding a number of penalties, a missed tackle allowed the Chipstead prop to force his way over for a converted try to reduce the arrears to one point.

As the tension mounted in this top of the table clash, Old Alleynian's went ahead through two well kicked penalties by Robinson to extend the lead to 31-24. Unfazed Chipstead again responded, this time through a strong diagonal break by their flanker, which led to a penalty in front of the posts. Seven points adrift with five minutes remaining Chipstead opted for the three points, in a bid to launch a final attack thereafter to win the match.

A combination of resilient defence, typified by Franklin and Salamony, and further sniping breaks from scrum half Davey allowed Old Alleynian's to play the game out to its conclusion in the Chipstead half. The win was well deserved and lifts Old Alleynian's up to second in the table, adrift of Croydon, but slightly ahead of Chipstead, on points difference. A league break this weekend ensues before an away trip to Mitcham on February 11th.

[OA's Team: Team: Tom Woodford, Dennis Yearwood, Phil Topham, Joe Richardson, Bertie Campbell-Baldwin, Giles Burris, John Hartley (c), Tom Harding, Fergus Davey, Jamie Docherty, Dan Mead, Tim Sandars, Mark Robertson, Yousef Salamony, Jack Robinson. Replacements: James Franklin, Cameron McVean, Andrew Ross.]

Author - Jamie Docherty