Old Alleynians RFC

The 1st XV found themselves in new territory for the 19/20 season having been moved by the RFU across from London SW2 back to London SE2.

[b]PRE-SEASON (2L)[/b]

A bumper pre-season saw a new coaching line-up at Dulwich common and a guest session held by former Australia captain James Horwill. There was a buzz in the air, and the midges of Dulwich common were beginning to hatch. 2 losses from 2 games against level 6 squads told us little about the season ahead.

[b]BLOCK 1 - TRICKY BEGINNINGS (3L – 1W)[/b]

A new start, the swagger of the SW, with its convenient away trips from the slippery concourse of Victoria, swapped for the snarly packs of the SE and some considerable coach/train time to look forward to. The first 4 results all went the way of the home team…we were on the road three times:

[b]1. Hove (A) Lost 21 – 16[/b] – A disappointing day out in the sunshine on the south coast (apparently) – Josh Winduss’ drop goal a highlight.
[b]2. Haywards Heath (A) Lost 38 - 10[/b]
[b]3. Deal (H) Win 27 – 17 Deal[/b] (who later went onto a 7-game unbeaten run)
[b]4. Charlton Park (A) Lost 37 – 8[/b]

The first block of games included some chastening experiences away from home against teams who would shape up to be league contenders in the coming weeks. Injuries also meant that squad depth was tested with players such as Tyreece Asamoah rising to the fore.

[b]BLOCK 2 – FINDING OUR FEET (2W - 2L)[/b]

Having recruited a ‘new’ backs coach in club stalwart Laurence (Boyler) Boyle, OAs sought to learn from the first block of games. A focus on defensive detail masterminded by coach James Knox brought a structure and intensity to the squad that was to be the defining feature of the 19/20 campaign.

[b]5. Maidstone (H) Win 54 – 5[/b]
[b]6. Crowborough (A) Lost 10 – 8[/b] - Despite strong support from 2’s after their game was cancelled, a painful last-minute loss was attributed to a monster penalty count
[b]7. Gravesend (H) Lost 17 – 20[/b] – Last minute loss with for the second game in a row, there remains ongoing debate as to whether Will Malins’ foot was in touch to score a potentially game winning try.

Seven games into the season, and the OAs had registered 2 wins – despite tough away trips - things were not looking good, and lass minute losses were becoming a habit.
Something drastic was needed. Cometh the hour cometh the man (and his fingers)

ALEX (Fingers) SMITH: A piss up in Bruges?
OAs: Could either be a master stroke or a complete flop
In the end it was both.

[b]8. Dover (A) Win 17 – 20[/b] Narrow victory spurred on by impending Bruges trip, memorable for a marauding 2nd half performance from Ian Brooks and 2 sublime assists from Frank Plummer.

[b]BLOCK 3 - STARTING TO BELIEVE (3W – 1L)[/b]

An unforgettable trip to Bruges (you can’t forget what you can’t remember) saw some life-long friendships formed in the back-row unit. The win at Dover had injected some belief into the squad.

[b]9. Old Colfs (H) Lost 18 – 19[/b] - Heart-breaking last-minute loss after Colfs were given field position from a penalty

After the game, Henry (Dewy) Dewing, and Gil (Faster than a speeding train) Crouch laid down a memorable challenge to the team. Having come so close on multiple occasions we needed to start turning narrow defeat into victory. They say the secret of good comedy is repetition, if that is the case the next section of this spiel should be quite funny…

[b]10. Thanet (A) Win 22 – 33[/b] - inspired by a Dan Goodrich drop goal, Pete Ashworth again travelling over 150 miles to come and watch.
[b]11. Beckenhamians (H) Win 34 -16 [/b]
Jazz style and flair in one of the best first half performances of the season for attacking rugby, shame the tape was lost..
[b]12. Haywards Heath (H) Win 33 – 19[/b]

This was the game where the 1st XV showed what they were capable of. Facing a Haywards Heath side that had lost a single game in the 1st half of the season. OAs raced off to an ideal start scoring tries through Crouch, Williams, Malins and Holford. The second half saw an outstanding defensive display at Dulwich common. OAs playing into a stiff breeze the passion and effort shown was epitomised by Toby (Sonic) Anthony last ditch tackle, this was the game where the squad developed a genuine belief we could compete against all comers in the remaining games in the league.

[b]BLOCK 4 - HANGING TOUGH (4W)[/b]

Having seen off the top of the league Haywards Heath The OAs turn their attention to 7 on the spin Deal…

[b]13. Deal & Betteshanger (A) Win 19 – 27[/b] A close fought encounter against a deal side with plenty of running threats. The win ended their 7-game unbeaten run. The lads were enjoying the trip home so much they contrived to extended it on the side of the M2.

[b]14. Charlton Park (H) Win 36 – 17[/b]
OAs faced a Charlton Park side whose potent attack in the league to date had been masterminded by ex-OA Rio Cooper. A masterful box kicking game from Henry (Dewy) Dewing, and another resolute second half defensive performance against an impressive scrummaging outfit saw out a hard earned win.

Then the fear: Charles (the wallet) Thompson, captain, leader, talisman, rendered unable to play having been overcome with fear after being given permission to drive his wife’s car to the Maidstone game. Would the team hold up without him there? Could they survive without the glue that is the captain holding the team together?...

[b]15. Maidstone (A) Win 5 – 75[/b] Notable for a Tommy (Loves the Club) Williams ‘fivefor’.

...yes, the most emphatic victory for any OAs side for the past decade.

[b]16. Crowborough (H) Win 16 – 14[/b] Dubbed ‘the battle of Blackheath’ as storm Denis descended on the South East the game was moved. A forgettable encounter saw another outstanding defensive performance. Crowborough going through 50 phases for the final play with Tolu (New Lungs Please) Johnson snaffling the turnover at the end.

There was now no doubt about the spirit in the team, and the game being hosted at Blackheath allowed Lawrence (Boyler) Boyle to regale the squad with some fond memories.

[b]BLOCK 5 - UNFINISHED BUSINESS (2W)[/b]

Unusually bad weather had rendered training facilities unplayable by this point in the season, despite herculean efforts by the Steve’s (Jeal and Twyman) to get games and training on. Step to the fore Charles Thompson with a grand idea – Squad training session at the manor with Ben John.

[b]17. Gravesend (A) Win 10 – 17[/b] – Heavy legs from what was described by all as a ‘disgraceful’ work out on the Thursday was not the best preparation for this occasion. Gravesend faithful were out in force for a big club day, The kit and captain arrived late (failure to work the sat nav on wife’s car) a less than vintage display against a spirited Gravesend saw another win, through tries from Fricker, Adetosoye and Crouch. A huge thank you to Steve Vogel for providing physio support on the day.

[b]18. Dover (H*) Win 43 -7[/b] – Eton Manor – A huge thank you to Dover for their flexibility, saw OAs score 7 tries under the lights on a 4G pitch.

After 9 wins from 9 a big party was due, however instead of a big party Charlie (Dad) Thompson deliberately drove his wife’s car into a pot hole outside Blackheath kwik fit whilst listening to 80’s power ballads. Cue a glorious rendition of Alanis Moriesette’s ironic by James (‘Nuts are their to be screwed, screwed hard’) Knox and a contrived gag….
How many OAs does it take to change a tire? Answer 5:
- One to phone his wife and say sorry
- One to quote Burnley manager Sean Dyche
- One (via phone) to locate the tyre change kit
- Another (via phone) to tell the other 3 how to use it
- And 3 men to get the thing off and the other on

Thanks to Dave (the lid) Fox and Henry (Dewy) Dewing for their practical knowledge.
At this point in the season, there was still a slim glimmer of hope to chase down a promotion play off spot. A massive fixture versus Old Colfs loomed, extra training sessions were scheduled, new boots were purchased.

Then the virus…

There are calls for games to be put on behind closed doors to complete the season, something that we have pushed back strongly on as it would be disappointing to have to turn away Pete Ashworth and occasionally Geoff Picket and Cross fit ben from Dulwich common. Although crowds have already expressed their excitement about the Malins, Fricker back three partnership lined up for next season…

A roller-coaster season, that was sadly cut short, left all at the club with a genuine feeling that there is more to come from this squad of players.

[b]A SEASON IN NUMBERS[/b]

The following numbers speak for themselves:

[list]
[*]43 players gaining caps for the 1st XV this season
[*]Scoring a banterous total of 69 tries,
[*]11 players representing OAs 1st XV for the first time
[/list]
- Tommy Williams (Top try scorer, loves the club so much he decided to see out the season as a dedicated linesman)
- Dave Fox (His blossoming bromance with Dave the Physio led to some tricky decisions regarding whether headaches were a result of concussion or 8 cans of pink monster)
- Will Malins (Brought a great skill set, and scored and assisted in some memorable tries. His partnership with Fricker will be emulated by Pat Lam’s Bristol next season, although his away record is under review having not been recorded as having sung a song)
- Ian Brooks (Oppositions players have requested of coaches that he be removed from the field. One man wrecking ball)
- Ed Taylor (Dedication and performances saw him rewarded with caps, his foray into the noble arts of propping were of vital importance in the latter stages of the season)
- James Boustead (Got stuck right in at the deep end of the club, travelling to Bruges, some excellent performances for 1s and 2s)
- Hayden Joseph-Oakley (Fantastic attitude and love of mauling saw him play loads of rugby in an OAs shirt this season an exciting prospect for the future)
- James Somerville (Fantastic communicator and dedicated competitor, another exciting prospect for the club)
- Sam Mansfield and Dan Burnham (Have both added quality to a hotly contested field at back row. Some exciting competition for next season)
- Owen Belli (Hard work and dedication through pre-season were rewarded with a 1st XV cap against HH)

[list]
[*]All change at the top, as James Mair becomes the most capped OA of the post 2010 era (reaching 124 caps for the 1st XV to narrowly usurp Tom Shanahan and Charlie Thompson)
[*]Top try scorer – Wiliams 8
[*]3rd in London SE2 - Best league position for over a decade
[*]Only played 1/3 of the games at home
[*]Tyreece Asamoah representing Kent U20’s
[*]9 game winning streak
[*]Pete Ashworth – 1657 miles driven in the name of OAs
[*]3 drop goals (Winduss, Goodrich, Fox)
[*]Finished as the form side in the league with the league’s longest winning streak of 9 games
[*]14 yellow cards… plenty to improve on next year.
[/list]

[b]THANK YOUS[/b]

A few thank yous to those that work tirelessly behind the scenes:
[list]
[*]Firstly the ‘Steves’ Steve Jeal and Twyman, the former for moving heaven, the latter for moving earth to help us get games on and train.
[*]Sam Twyman for organising the kit.
[*]Mark Plummer for assisting us in finding referees at short notice.
[*]Referee Tom, for helping at training.
[*]Ben John (check out his gym) for helping the lads work off some Christmas pudding in some sessions that can only be described as disgraceful. (ask Mairsy and Derayo)
[*]Dave, Beth and Steve Vogel for their efforts in preparing players for games.
[*]Gary for his efforts in managing the logistics; shirts, bibs, balls, cameras, radios, and his post-match efforts on the train. His efforts in videoing the games were a key point of difference for the improvement in our defence this season. And his kiwi commentary has delighted and appalled other clubs in the SE league in equal measure when tape has been shared.
[/list]
Just a couple of words on the coaches:
[list]
[*]Laurence Boyle has been a real asset to the coaching team since joining early in the season, bringing some much-needed detail to the backs, and bringing a sharpness to our attacking play.
[*]Knoxxy’s drive passion and commitment is plain for everyone to see, his energy has galvanised a defence and a forward pack that was unrivalled in the league in open play (towards the latter half at least…).
[*]Smiddy – whose commitment to the club knows no bounds. His efforts in arranging for kit, organising 2nd XV’s, and especially for taking on responsibility for working with the Kent league set up to ensure high quality rugby for seasons to come. He is huge part of the platform that has allowed us to maintain the strength in depth needed to compete at the top end of the league.
[*]Lastly Charlie for his tireless efforts in coordinating on all fronts, his leadership has been an essential ingredient in bringing the squad together, and his performances on the pitch are of a high standard week to week.
[/list]

A FULL LIST OF ALL SENIOR CLUB AWARDS WILL FOLLOW IN THE COMING DAYS