Match Report: 6th
November 2004 |
| First team: |
Second Team: Lincoln 2nd XV vs.
Ollerton 2nd XV
Final Score: 29-22 to Ollerton
Ollerton travelled to Lincoln for this tricky Pennant fixture. It was clear from the start
that Ollerton had to keep the ball away from the very useful opposition backs and use
their bigger and stronger pack to win the game.
The first 20 minutes were very tight with both sides applying pressure to one another.
Ollerton continued their good lineout work from previous weeks and were also able to give
good ball to both scrum half and number 8 at the back of a very well set scrum. However
things took a turn for the worse when a mix up in the backs and a very lucky bounce
allowed Lincoln to score the opening try (0-5). This gave Lincoln more confidence and
their backs began causing more damage, and despite good defence it wasn’t long before
they had scored their second try (0-10).
At this stage is was vital we kept our heads up and didn’t let them run away with the
game in the first half as has happened in previous weeks. From a lineout we set up a
rolling maul that allowed Tommy Steel to peel off and crash over to put us back in the
game. A great conversion was made by Martin Hempsall (7-10).
Half time 10-7 to Lincoln.
The second half started evenly but it wasn’t long before Ollerton took the lead. From
the 22 Gordon Leonard collected the ball from Keith Ryan and charged forward to score a
fine individual try (if I do so myself, and despite Fred’s support I was never going
to pass from there!!!). (14-10, conversion by Martin). Ollerton really had the bit between
their teeth at this point and for the first time in a while were enjoying playing good
rugby and beating a good side.
It was soon Bruce’s turn to get over. From another lineout and subsequent rolling
maul Bruce was shoved over to make the score 19-10.
Lincoln did come back at us and pull the score back to 19-15 but it wasn’t long
before Tommy got his second try of the match. From a 5-meter scrum Gordon Leonard picked
up and went for the line only to be denied a second try by the referee who claimed he
dropped the ball over the line (a very harsh decision if you ask me). From the resultant
5-meter scrum they were penalised which allowed Tommy to take a quick tap and score his
second try (24-15). Things were going well and it was only to get better when Fred Ford
sent Gordon Leonard down the blind side for his second try of the game making the score
29-15. At this point we were looking to comfortably close the game out until an extremely
loose pass by Gordon Leonard (hangs his head in shame) allowed Lincoln to pick up and race
away to score under the posts meaning we were only 1 converted try in front. With the game
almost up we didn’t put the ball dead allowing Lincoln one final attack, and
blinkin’ heck they got mighty close!! Luckily for us Nick Pearce was on hand to save
the day with a lasp gasp “tackle”.
In the end it was a well earned victory for Ollerton who badly needed the win. It was a
very good all round performance with the backs defending very well but unfortunately were
not given much of a chance to attack as was the nature of the game. The scrums were solid
and we could have pushed them back a lot more than we did. The lineouts were good and it
was nice to see some of them “catch, stack and drives” that happen in training
but not often enough on the pitch. Special mention has to go to Paul Widdowson who made 2
tries saving tackles. The one close to end of time was superb, given that half the team
had conceded the try already.
The match report was written as I saw it; apologies to people I haven’t mentioned who
deserved to have been included. If you want it changing, let me know.
Jelly
ps. An altenative report is available from the Lincoln site. http://www.lincolnrugby.co.uk I
couldn't possibly comment on which report is more accurate. |
| Third Team: |
|