Match Report
|
| Date - 8th January 2005 |
Millwall 1st XV -v- Old Brentwoods 1st XV |
| Essex 2 |
| Millwall 22 Old Brentwoods 12 |
| |
| Despite a spirited display in the second half Old Brentwoods were left
to rue their mistakes and missed opportunities of the first half in
this Essex 2 league clash.
|
| The Old Boys started well with some forceful play from Charlie Raymond
and Paddy Bache, keeping the ball tight in the blustery conditions.
Early scrums and lineouts also went the visitors' way but a missed tackle
on the home team scrum half close to their line left the visitors in
disarray. The number 9 made the most of the break to score under the
posts on ten minutes and soon afterwards the same source gave Millwall
another try, the latter not being converted.
|
| The 12-0 score line was further extended with a successful penalty soon
afterwards as The Old Boys' concentration faltered again.
This score did seem to focus the visitors and with the team returning
to their original game plan the rest of the half was spent in the
Millwall half. Their industry was rewarded with a try from Gary Fryett.
With James Faiers being unsuccessful with the conversion the score
remained 15-5 at half time.
|
| The second half began well for Millwall as they extended their lead by
a further seven points with a simple try from a lineout.
The pressure was back on the visitors and with the team being driven on
by skipper Matt Staines and further inspired by Neil Hannaway and James
Holmes among others the Old Boys began to enjoy greater success. They
converted this into points midway through the half with Paul Buchanan
powering over from a well-worked penalty move.
|
| With Dean Bourne slotting the conversion the visitors were back in
business. Further good play followed but the Millwall defence withstood
the pressure which ultimately was the difference between the two sides.
|
| The final score of 22-12 was a fair reflection of the match
but left the Old Boys to contemplate what might have been if the basics had
been applied throughout the game.
|