Match Report |
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| Date - 23rd December 2000 | Upper Clapton -v- Old Brentwoods 2nd XV |
| Old Brentwoods won 26 - 12 | |
| In heavy conditions, this traditional Christmas fixture got
off to a poor start for the Old Boys as they failed to impose themselves on an Upper
Clapton side that rucked well and disrupted their line-out ball. As a result, Upper
Clapton were the first to get on the score-sheet, with a converted try ten minutes into
the game. Upper Clapton continued to pile on the pressure, with kicks deep into the OBs
22, but perhaps overdid this tactic wasting several opportunities where running would have
been the better option. OBs were indebted to good defensive work, especially from Paul
Buchanan and Simon Peace for keeping the score at 7 - 0. The Old Brentwoods finally roused themselves in the latter part of the second half, and from then on looked the better side. Upper Clapton were not to score again until late in the second half. This was never likely to be a free-scoring game, the conditions meant that a large proportion of the game was played in the middle third of the pitch, and despite their extra effort the Old Boys were still behind at half time having scored only an unconverted try (Paul Buchanan). In addition, the Old Boys chose to run most of their ball down the narrow channel, using Billy Mullens strength, and this cut down their scoring opportunities. The half-time port did not seem to encourage greater adventure from either side and it was more of the same for the second half. The only exception was the OBs third try, scored directly from the kick-off following the second. Fast hands in an eight pass manouvre resulted in a try (Neil Tetner) under the posts. It was to Upper Clapton's credit that this did not demoralise them however, and they came back strongly in the last ten minutes of the game. |
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| Old Brentwoods Scorers Tries - Neil Tetner (2), Paul Buchanan (1), Jonny Davis (1) |
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| Players Player Award - Dave Knapp | |
| Team Prop - Bob Knapp Scrum Half - Alastair Rigden Subs - |
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