Match Report: 29th January 2005

Final score 9-40

Ollerton were the visitors to a strong well organised Keyworth side and fell 40 - 9 despite putting the home side under a lot of pressure for most of the first half and for long periods of the second. The first half saw Ollerton take the game to Keyworth with the home side under pressure for long periods thanks to some fine second and third phase forward play involving prop John Woof and fellow hooker Steve Wallis. Despite the first half pressure by Ollerton, Keyworth had the slight advantage at the break thanks to a converted try which was answered by two penalties for Ollerton. Half time 7 - 6. The key moments in the second half came within the first five minutes. Ollerton had been defending well and seemed to be in control when a ball shot out of the back of their own scrum in their 22 and the quick thinking Keyworth flanker dropped on the loose ball to score. The restart saw the ball caught in mid field and and ran back through three pairs of Keyworth hands for their winger to score their second try in as many minutes. Ollerton rallied and at times had Keyworth on the ropes but were unable to land the killer blow to add to their points. The finishing skills of Keyworth proved to be the difference on the day as they ran in later try's bringing the final score to 40 - 9 in the home sides favour.

Final score 24-5

Ollerton 3rds played hosts to Worksop 3rds in this Pennant fixture that turned out to be a really entertaining game played in the right spirit, with Ollerton coming away with a comfortable 24 -5 win. Ollerton opened their account within 5 minutes with full back Matt Fillingham taking a well executed scissor ball to crash through and score. This was also converted by Fillingham. 7 -0 Ollerton kept up the pressure with centre Tony Round skipping through the Worksop defence for a fine individual try, not converted 12 - 0. Ollerton did not have things all their own way with some good defensive work from Worksop and some fine counter attacking moves, one of which saw their full back Chris Parrot opening their account with a fine try, not converted 12 - 5. The game remained tight with both teams switching to attack whenever possible, the deadlock was broken just before halftime with fly half Matt Abdy starting and finishing a move in which he looped round, outside the winger to score in the corner, not converted, 17 - 5 at half time. A major factor in this game was the inclusion of four experienced players with a combined age of 200 years between them, Errol Coleman, Keith Ryan, Captain, Neil Syddons and Jeff Raine all helped keep Ollerton's shape, as Worksop put together some well worked moves in trying to close the gap. A fine 30 metre run by Ollerton hooker Eddie Jackson was cut short by a fine try saving tackle, one metre out, this seemed to spur Ollerton on and some excellent tackling by Coleman, Raine and Dave Harrison kept Worksop out as Ollerton tightened their grip on the game. Ollerton's pressure was rewarded in the last five minutes with Jamie Price rounding the defence to score in the corner, converted by Fillingham. 24 - 5 The key to this game had been a combination of experience and a well organised defence which gave Ollerton the result they deserved on the day.