Match Report

Conditions were heavy, but this did not prevent the Old Boys exploiting their superior pace in the backs. Well secured ball from the set pieces was quickly moved out to the wings where Liam Dunseath was able to create telling overlaps by joining the back line from the full back position.

Using these tactics the Old Brentwoods were able to score three tries (through John Mole, Simon Peace and Liam Dunseath) within the first fifteen minutes. After this, however, they seemed to relax, and Witham were able to come back into the game. Witham started to win a reasonable share of the ball for the first time in the game, but were unable to make much headway, through the Old Boys defence.

Witham's only score of the game came from an Old Boys error in mid-field. A chip through from centre Ian Hannaway was charged down by the Witham No.11, who recovered the ball, and then outpaced Liam Dunseath, who had already moved up to join the attack, running half the length of the pitch.

In the second half, the Old Brentwoods again started slowly, but once they hit their stride again they were able to repeat the open flowing game that had proved so effective early in the first half. The fifth try of the game was particularly impressive. From the re-start that followed the fourth try, the ball was caught by Michael Haddock, who shipped the ball to No.8 Billy Mullen running from deep. He was able to break the first line of defence, before moving the ball wide, via fly-half Perry Reeves. The ball was then moved quickly along the line, where Liam Dunseath, joining the attack from full-back was able to exploit the overlap to run round the Witham wing and score under the posts.

The Old Brentwoods scored again immediately from the subsequent re-start with a virtually identical move, but which required a extra phase of play, the try this time being run in by Simon Peace on the opposite wing.

Overall, an excellent win that bodes well for the rest of the season.

Tries - Simon Peace (3), Liam Dunseath (2), Mat Istead, John Moles
Conversions - Perry Reeves (5)
Penalties -

Prop - Bob Knapp
Hooker - Dave Knapp
Prop - Charlie Raymond
Lock - Michael Haddock
Lock - Steve Gorrod
Flanker - Dave Cavanagh
Flanker - Jamie Davis
No 8 - Billy Mullen

Scrum Half - Hugh Godfrey
Fly Half - Perry Reeves
Centre - Ian Hannaway
Centre - John Mole
Wing - Mat Istead
Wing - Simon Peace
Full Back - Liam Dunseath

Subs - Mat Brown