Match Report

O.B.R.F.C. got their league campaign off to a cracking start with a win against Dagenham. They are starting to reap the rewards of their "open to all" policy and are now fielding one of their best sides for some time.

The match, played at Ashwells Road, started off in lively fashion with both teams willing to take full advantage of the dry conditions. Play went from end to end with each team exerting their fair share of pressure. It was finely poised at 3-3 after 20 minutes.

Dagenham were making full use of their advantage in the scrum, but they were struggling to get through the home side’s defence. There were some notable hits going in from the 35 stone centre partnership of Holmes and joint man of the match Tentner. It was fly-half Liam Dunseath who opened the scoring for the Blues with a spectacular solo try which left several defenders clutching at thin air as he sauntered over. Dagenham quickly answered this with a well deserved try of their own after they ground their way up the pitch to level the score at 8-8.

With half time approaching, the Old Boys pack stepped up a gear. Rather than forcing the pass away which had led to some uncharacteristic handling errors, the likes of Bache, Raymond & Lee were now setting up ruck after ruck. The resultant gaps allowed Robbie White, Jason Lee and Paul Buchanan to pile on the pressure. This led to Dagenham conceding a string of penalties deep inside their own half. Old Boys ran quick ball and Dunseath worked a mis-move in the centres for Tentner to go crashing over. Another try on the stroke of half – time saw Billy (Awesome) Mullen power over in the corner from a quick tap. The score was 18-8 and the gap was starting to open.

The home team started the second half just as strongly as it had finished the second half and Womersley and vice-captain Davies got in on the act with some very direct running. The Blues kept possesision much better in the second half and it wasn’t long before Dagenham conceded another penalty to make it 21 – 8.

Neil Tentner then made Dagenham pay in the best way possible for some foul play at the ruck. His opposite number was standing underneath the posts (having been sin-binned) and he ran through the gap that he had left to help himself to brilliant 50 yard try.

Dagenham had by now resorted to a kicking game, but the back 3 of Ian White, Jon Mole and particularly Ed Gooday were returning any loose kicks with interest. The Old Brentwoods forwards were in rampant form and the front row of Raymond, Davies and Womersley were appearing all over the pitch. Womersley even helped himself to a try from 40 yards out. Not bad for a prop !

This brought the final score to 39-8. It all bodes well for OBRFC’s cup game next week.