Match Report
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| Date - 15th January 2005 |
Billericay 1st/2nd XV -v- Old Brentwoods 1st XV |
| Friendly |
| Billericay 5 Old Brentwoods 31 |
| |
| The Old Boys' topsy-turvy season continued as they registered their
first victory over Billericay 1's in living memory and in great style.
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| Despite not having ideal preparation the visitors quickly got into
their stride, their pack stamping their authority early on as they took
advantage of the slope in the first half.
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| It took just five minutes to register the first score, Pat Stroud taking
the ball up from a scrum ten metres from the Billericay line, the ball
being recycled from the ensuing ruck by Neil Hannaway, who passed to Chris Reah, who in turn ghosted through the defence to score
under the posts. With Alex Hughes slotting the conversion the Old Boys had got full
rewards for their early industry.
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| Five minutes later the scoreline was doubled. Gary Fryett took the ball
on from a lineout won by Tim Croom and set up a ruck five metres from the
Billericay line. With support at hand it was James Holmes that powered
his way through the home line to score beside the posts. Hughes made no
mistake with the conversion and was gifted another opportunity moments later when Reah went
over for his second try. He made the kick and the Old Boys suddenly had
a 21-0 lead.
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| The Home team came back into the game late in the half and a
combination of their efforts and persistent penalties given away by the
visitors enabled them to be rewarded for their efforts with a try on the
right wing. The kick was not converted and the sides turned round at
half time with the score at 21-5.
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| Despite the advantage of the slope the home team did not get off to the
start that the Old Boys feared in the second half. The constant
pressure up front from Matt Staines, Charlie Raymond and Paddy Bache
among others, and the crashing runs from Paul Buchanan (who together with Andy West made up the heaviest centre partnership in Old Brentwoods history at 36 stone combined!)
enabled the visitors to force Billericay into reckless passing and lose
any initiative they may otherwise have gained.
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| This came into focus midway through the half when the Old Boys
gained the territorial advantage that enabled Chris Reah to go over for
his third try, the skipper producing another trademark run that
completely foxed the opposition. Hughes was successful with the
conversion and maintained his 100% record minutes later with a penalty
kick that extended the lead to 31-5.
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| Billericay came back towards the end of the game but were unable to
increase their tally. With Fryett being replaced by Lee Jones in the closing stages the Old
Boys maintained their commitment and were worthy winners at the end.
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