Match Report
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| Date - 13th November 2004 |
Rayleigh 1st XV -v- Old Brentwoods 1st XV |
| Essex 2 |
| Rayleigh 5 Old Brentwoods 69 |
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| The Old Boys, fresh from a week off from league rugby, posted their best win and most accomplished performance of the year away at Rayleigh on Saturday.
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| However, the first five minutes of the game were unusual to say the least. A fluffed kick-off from captain Reah gave the visitors possession in the middle of the pitch. This resulted immediately in a penalty and the home side camped in the Old Brentwoods 22. Another bizarre banana kick from Reah almost resulted in a try and was followed shortly by a score with the Rayleigh wing charging down fullback Sier’s attempted clearance. Three weeks ago this would have resulted in a crisis of confidence but with three good performances behind them, the Old Boys proceeded to blow away the home side.
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| One of many rapier thrusts through the midfield set up the first try with Reah collecting an inside return pass from the bullocking centre Tentner to score close in. Warrilow converted the first of many. Soon afterwards, the powerful Buchanan, picking up an inside pass from the fly half, stepped inside the on-rushing defence to score. The scores continued to come apace. The hooker Brewster took an excellent low ball from one of many line-outs stolen by the majestic Croom at the front of the line-out, and sharp hands from the backline put Williams in at the corner for the first of his four tries. The Old Boys turned around at 30-5, with the wind behind them and the slope in their favour.
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| In the opening twenty minutes of the second half, the Old Brentwoods tight five began to turn on the pressure, Raymond, Fryett and Barton combining in the front row to turn much Rayleigh possession into Old Boys ball. Paddy Bache turned back the years, knocking over tacklers from the restart to set the platform. Staines and Holmes continued to prey at the tackle area stealing much of the Rayleigh possession, although somewhat cruelly, given their huge contribution to the game, neither crossed the line.
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| The ambition of the Old Brentwoods side was illustrated by the fact their back three scored seven of the tries on the day. Tom Williams, recently returned from a cider-drinking degree in the West Country, startled team mates and the opposition alike with a thrilling 4-try burst. Showing pace and balance, he converted every sniff of the line with aplomb. Not matched in number but certainly impact was Hannaway’s contribution, particularly one cartoon-style winding run from the right wing which carried him close to the left-hand touch line before scoring underneath the posts. His second came from a slick dummy at 10 from the skipper, leaving a simple 2-on-1 to score. Sier, not to be left out, ran a parabola curve to elude the Rayleigh defence.
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| A long-range effort from Bourne, who ran 70 metres to score at the corner, took Old Brentwoods past 50 points. Two further tries followed and the Old Boys were cock-a–hoop at the 69-5 scoreline.
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| Man of the Match and Players' Player was the 4-try wonder Williams, closely followed by Buchanan, destructive around the field and who at one stage made time stand still as everyone thanked themselves they didn’t suffer the fate of the winded Rayleigh lock.
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| The Old Boys expect much tougher fare next week as they take on Burnham at home.
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