Match Report

East London - 0

The Old Boys II XV traveled to East London on Saturday, and secured their first win in a long time at Holland Road. 

From the start the Old Boys took the game to East London attacking primarily down the close channels but were thwarted by a solid defense. Good interplay between the back row combination of Billy Mullen, Michael Ashby and Andy Born committed the home side defense. Fly half Perry Reeves took full advantage and spun the ball wide, giving centre James Holmes the space he needed to run half the length of the pitch and score the first points of the afternoon… after 25 minutes of constant pressure. 

This was the story for the rest of the afternoon; most of the attacks came from the sturdy scrummaging of the Old Boys tight five combination of David Knapp, Dave Cavanagh, Bob Knapp, Tim Croom and Pete Wormesley. With scrum half Neil Hannaway playing in his favored position, East London could do little to stem the constant barrage of attacks presented to them by the Old Boys three-quarters. 

Of particular note was the huge effort put in by Jonothan Mole playing on the wing.  He presented himself as an option each time full back Clive Richards found himself isolated. His tireless work ensured that East London’s main attacking option of kick and chase returned no dividends. 

Matt O’Connor playing in a an unfamiliar role at inside centre took some time to settle, but started to link well with the rest of the backs, defending well, and not once spilling the ball when going into contact. The extremely mobile Old Boys back row secured second and third phase ball which frustrated East London and led to some ugly moments. 

Half time replacements came on for the Old Boys in the shape of Charlie Raymond, Paul Buchanan and Ian Hannaway, and immediately made impacts on an already demoralized East London side. Raymond held the scrummage together well and Hannaway linked up with Reeves in their familiar routine of inside centre and fly half (weighing in at a combined thirty-two stone).

 This was an excellent start to the New Year for the Old Boys, providing an excellent opportunity to blow away some of those Christmas cobwebs. 

Prop -
Hooker -
Prop -
Lock -
Lock -
Flanker -
Flanker -
No 8 -

Scrum Half -
Fly Half -
Centre -
Centre -
Wing -
Wing -
Full Back -

Subs -