Match Report
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| Date - 11th September 2004 |
Old Brentwoods 2nd XV -v- Phyllosans |
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| Old Brentwoods II 56 Phyllosans 12 |
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| Saturday saw the start of the Old Boys 2nd XV's season, and what a start!
Playing at Ashwells Road against Phyllosans in blustery, but very hot
conditions, the Old Boys put in a great performance against one of
their oldest rivals.
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| Teamwork, support and communication were all vital in overcoming a
physically much larger side. The Old Boys forwards dominated much of
the loose play, arriving at the breakdown in numbers and recycling the
ball quickly to give scrum half Alex Hughes the platform he needed for
his trademark breakaway runs.
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Fly half Perry Reeves was able to send the ball wide for tries by
centres Ian Hannaway and Adam Stead in quick succession, both of which the number 10 duly converted.
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| Scrummaging was immense by the tight five of Dave Cavanagh, Gary
Murphy, Colin Finch, Scott Inglis and Matt O'Connor. With the ball
well controlled by the captain, Jonny Davies, at number 8, Hughes was able
to find support and the score was well beyond Phyllosans' reach by half
time with tries for Alex Hughes and Jonny Davies converted
by Perry Reeves to take the half time score to 28 - 0.
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| With the introduction of Paul Buchanan and Bob Knapp in the second
half the Old Boys continued their dominance. Support work and
communication were key, and the core of the team that is now playing
together for the sixth season ensured a very enjoyable afternoon for
the home side.
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| John Costin, playing in the unfamiliar role of open-side, tackled allcomers and with his sheer tenacity halted most of the Phyllosans
attacks. John Barnes scored his first try for the club and rounded off
a great all round personal performance. The other tries from Paul
Buchanan and Alex Hughes (his second of the day) were again all
converted by Perry Reeves.
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| Phyllosans looked a shadow of the side that fairly thrashed the Old
Boys last season, but once they start playing as a team the opposition
had better look out.
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| Special mention has to go to the deft footwork of the Old Boys'
Antipodean second row Scott Inglis, whose ego sustained the only
injury of the match, when, unopposed, he knocked the ball on after a 30
yard dribble up the pitch.
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| The Old Boys 2nd team entertain Thames II's at home next weekend: 3.00
KO at Ashwells Road. Training continues at 7.30 on Wednesday nights.
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