Match Report - League |
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| Date - 16th September 2000 | Old Brentwoods 1st XV -v- Westcliff |
| Old Brentwoods lost 12 - 5 | |
| The dominance of the Westcliff pack in the set piece made the
first league game of the season an uphill struggle for the Old Brentwoods. The scrum was
under pressure from the start, putting Paul Clancy at No 8 in difficulties controlling the
ball as he tried to pick up at the back. The line-out also suffered, with Westcliff
winning their own ball easily, and much of the ball on the Old Brentwoods put in. Despite this, the Old Brentwoods had chances to go ahead in the first half, with Laurie Cutmore narrowly missing two penalty kicks in a strong cross wind. Strong home defence and numerous handling errors from Westcliffe made life difficult for them. They did manage a converted try midway through the first half, breaking upfield from their own 22 following a period of Old Brentwoods pressure. However, this was the only score of the half and the Old Brentwoods backs continued to treaten to put themselves back on even terms. The second half followed a similar pattern to the first, although The introduction of Pat Stroud and Jamie Davis to the pack finally brought some solidity to the scrum and gave the Old Brentwoods a few more attacking options. However, Westcliff's pressure finally told, and with around ten minutes to go went over for their second try. This remained unconverted, and when Neil Hannaway scored in reply quickly afterwards the match was set up for a tense finale. However, a missed conversion and Old Brentwoods inabillity to maintain possession enabled Westcliffe to see out the clock with reasonable comfort. |
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| Old Brentwoods Scorers Tries - Neil
Hannaway |
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| Players Player Award - Paul Clancy | |
| Team Prop - Sturat Chisolm Scrum Half - Neil Hannaway Subs - Jamie Davis, Pat Stroud, Phil Pembroke, Mike Haddock |
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