Old Alleynians RFC

Old Alleynians 1XV vs London Welsh Match Report

BY Ditch Boultbee

Yep you did read the title correctly although when I arrived at the ground everyone was telling me it was the first time the OAs had met the mighty Welsh. It turns out according to one of their supporters who had consulted the Welsh history books that we had met before back in the early 1900s it was thought at least 100 years since the last time the two sides had met.

There was so much more than just this auspicious match to enjoy up at” Potash Farrm” on this remarkably sunny Saturday. Having purchased my usual diet coke, had a quick sandwich provided by the club and had some banter with the new Director of Rugby and a former captain of the club I wandered over to the back pitch. It was in remarkable condition and the Vets game against Farnham was under way. The Seneschall family was there in force including the new Mrs Seneschall (I must be getting old when former Under 9s of mine are married). They were up at the club to watch 63-year-old John make his first appearance for a couple of years, his boot was as effective as ever. Another Old Alleynian Captain was playing for Farnham (Hartley) and apparently former dream team hooker and yet another club Captain (Franklin) was surplus to requirements for the vets. I watched the first-half and it was a competitive game between two old rivals who were obviously enjoying themselves. I left shortly after half time as Farnham extended their lead and in need of another diet coke. (Farnham were eventual winners 17-42). The next treat on offer was the 3s playing Lordswood in Kent Division 5, we must be one of very few clubs with three sides in the national structure and excellent development and really bodes well for the future of the club. Quite a number of familiar faces from the junior section were on show although a lot older than I remember them. I managed to watch about 20 minutes before trekking down for the main event. By the time I left they were already 4 excellent tries up. The referee another OA of many years Andy Davies was having a very good go at imitating me but was far to quick to be realistic. Final Score OAs won 43-10.

I arrived in the technical area for the 1^st team game to discover they had had an unfortunate injury happen during the warm up and we were going to be without Max Bliss at 15. This resulted in Chris Crowley on his debut stepping up to fill the gap.

The skipper had lost the toss but we were still playing uphill (which I always think is an advantage). The OAs kicked off and after a couple of exchanges were caught offside at a ruck and Welsh kicked for the corner.  Skipper Ben Osuntokun stole the ball at the lineout. Unfortunately, the OAs were offside and a quick penalty by Welsh led to a converted try (0-7 8 min).

From the restart Welsh were pinged for not releasing OAs kicked to the corner and following the lineout maul recycled a couple of times before Luke Bliss went over to open our account Frank Plummer missed the conversion (5-7 11min).

The next unfortunate incident of the afternoon was as experienced Tom Marchant had to go off permanently with a leg injury to be replaced by the almost as experienced Oli Lamprell

After the restart there was a Welsh scrum between the 10 and 22 metre lines which went down and was reset. OAs eventually got hold of the ball and cleared down the middle of the park this was followed by a rather wild pass from Welsh which ended up in touch. OAs cleared to touch from the lineout. Following the next lineout there was a scrum to Welsh which went down twice resulting in a penalty to them as the referee lost patience with the front rows. The resulting kick was put nearly into the corner the OAs stole the ball and cleared then followed rucks for Welsh followed by a turnover and then one for OAs the ball eventually ending in touch for a lineout to Welsh after 20 minutes. It was at this point that prop Tom Weightman suffered a stinger in his shoulder and had to come off for a bit of R&R being replaced by Hadley Eames. The ball from the lineout was flapped back but at the ensuing lineout the OAs were pinged for off feet. Welsh kicked towards the corner and from the lineout maul trundled over to score, the try was converted (5-14 23min).

After a scrum following the kick-off Welsh were pinged for not retreating under the new offside rule OAs missed touch and were pinged again for holding on at a ruck. From the resulting penalty Welsh set up a line out on the OAs 10 metre line, they span the ball across to the far side and made a good break at the ruck following a good OAs tackle the OAs were again offside. Welsh took a kick tap about 15 metres out and after a couple of quick rucks knocked on.

The OAs gave away another penalty at the scrum and following yet another penalty to Welsh they went in under the posts to add to their score again converted (5-21 33min).  

From the kick off the Welsh backs made a good line break down the far side before being blown up for in at the side at the tackle. There followed a passage of play which ended with a high tackle by Welsh which was a theme of the afternoon with some discontent on the sidelines.

Just a penalty and a lineout to OAs which was overthrown but fortunately knocked on by Welsh with the line at their mercy. Scrum to OAs 10 metres out.  The OAs won the ball but were stopped by a suspiciously high tackle as they tried to breakout and were then caught offside. From the penalty Welsh again went under the posts to pick up their bonus point and easily converted (5-28 39 mins).

From the restart OAs recovered the ball and were swinging it wide when the Welsh number 4 palmed it forward and the generally excellent Kiwi referee Josh had no option but to show him a Yellow Card.

The resulting lineout was followed by 5 or 6 drives from OAs before they were caught holding on.

Now well into injury time the Welsh took a lineout but nothing came of it and it was Half-Time.

At half time Tom Weightman was subbed back on having recovered from his stinger.

From the kick off after 3 or 4 rucks between the 10 and 22 the OAs cleared to halfway in the Welsh half from the resulting lineout a quick pass to their 10 and some excellent footwork by him the broke through and Welsh scored under the posts once again (5-35 45mins).

Following a short Kick off OAs got a penalty followed by a lineout on the Welsh 10 metre line. OAs got the ball but were stopped by another high tackle but missed touch with the ball going dead Welsh took a scrum.

OAs got a penalty at a ruck and the Welsh Yellow card ended. Tom Grahamslaw injured in the high tackle came off and OAs were down to 14 having no fit subs left. 

OAs with a lineout in the far corner took the ball well and drove over with old timer Charlie Thompson, making his 170^th appearance, getting a well-deserved try the conversion was missed (10-35 55mins).

A slight lull followed and after 60 minutes Tom Grahamslaw returned then a after a series of scrums and line outs OAs got given a scrum about 15 metres out from their own line and the referee gave a free kick against Welsh unfortunately for OAs some backchat led to a reversal and a penalty to Welsh which they used to good effect as they raced over the line for another converted try (10-42).

From the kick off Welsh held on at a ruck and OAs had a line out 10 metes out. The resulting maul was stopped just short but after 3 or 4 drives the effervescent Tom Weightman went over for a try and Frank Plummer picked up the extra 2 points (17-42 75 mins) .

 From the kick off OAs gave away 2 quick penalties for holding on and not releasing Welsh got a line out in a good position and scored again converting once more (17-49 78 mins).

At this point the game was very open OAs gave away another penalty from the kick off for an early tackle Welsh went the length of the pitch to add another 7 points they can certainly kick at goal, although a lot of the tries were under the posts, (17-56 80+ mins).

With the game already in injury time Wesh fielded the OAs Kick off and got the ball to half way at which point Tom Weightman intervened snaffling the ball bursting through the Welsh defence and heading for the line he looked odds on to score but was brought down just short with Welsh giving away a penalty, OAs ran it and Will Malins not to be outdone by his brother on Friday went over in the corner for the bonus point try no conversion but a very acceptable result against a quality side who are likely to be right up there at the end of the season 22-56 (80++).

Both sides played very well and it was an enjoyable game to watch. In my humble opinion OAs probably just edged the battle of the packs whilst Welsh had as good a set of backs as I have seen playing against the OAs for quite a while and made the most of their opportunities.

After the match one has to observe that the new London phenomenon of queuing up in lines in bars and pubs was in evidence. I am to old for all that nonsense so headed straight to Steve to get my diet coke and a pint for the ref. Pam had produced one of my favourite OA teas Curry so all in all it was a very good day. I headed home to watch another Old Alleynian, Fiona Mcintosh, playing in WXV2 for Scotland on Iplayer (as live) congratulations to them for their win.

To complete my rugby weekend on Sunday I watched the Red Roses eventually demolish the USA with some great rugby especially from Jess Breach and Ellie Kildunne.

Team 1. Luke Bliss, 2 Charlie Thompson, 3 Tom Weightman, 4 Ben Osuntokun, 5 Will Hinchcliffe, 6 Jack Petts, 7 Tom Marchant, 8 Tom Grahamslaw, 9 Tristan Holden, 10 Frank Plummer, 11 Will Malins, 12 Max Bobath, 13 Matt Branfield, 14 Cal O’Connor, 15 Chris Crowley, 16 Oli Lamprell, 17 Hadley Eames.

Good news from the seconds too losing narrowly away to Gillingham 1s (48-33).

OA -  OA OA OA OA - OA   –   OA -  OA OA  OA OA - OA