Match Report
|
| Date - 21st January 2006 |
Millwall 1st XV -v- Old Brentwoods 1st XV |
|
| Millwall 35 Old Brentwoods 31 |
| |
| At a time of year when fans of American sports turn their attention
towards the imminent Super Bowl, it was perhaps appropriate that this
fixture was played out in four distinct quarters.
|
| A freak accident during their warm up caused OBRFC to lose Jamie
Matthews, their No. 8, to a concussion. A hasty reorganisation of
resources saw Dean Bourne move from the centre to the back row, Gareth
Boyce from the wing to the centre and Jon Ely from the bench to the
wing. All played excellent games, with Dean Bourne earning the man of
the match award for his sterling efforts: strong in the tackle, ever
present in support, powerful as a ball-carrier and not once did he show
the slightest inclination to kick away possession!
|
| However, the disruption caused hesitancy in the away side and, with
Millwall starting ferociously, OBRFC soon found themselves two tries
down and seemingly on their way to a thumping defeat.
|
| OBRFC did not capitulate but showed admirable strength of character to
regain their composure and launch a stirring comeback during the
second quarter of the match.
|
| Rock-solid scrummaging from the OBRFC eight, led at the "coal-face" by
props Charlie Raymond and Gary Murphy, gave OBRFC a platform.
|
| The midfield defence intensified, allowing No. 8 James Holmes and
open-side wing forward Matthew Staines to disrupt the Millwall attacks,
slowing down and turning over their possession.
|
| Orchestrated by the increasingly assured OBRFC hooker, Matthew Warrilow,
and dominated by the towering presence of imperious second row Pat
Stroud, the lineout provided a steady supply of possession.
|
| These primary facets of play allowed OBRFC to develop a foothold and
some momentum in the match.
|
| Perry Reeves, at fly half, stepping up from the 2nd XV, aided and
abetted by the slick service and astute play of half back partner
Alastair Rigden, provided a firm hand on the rudder and, with his
howitzer-like boot, guided OBRFC deep into Millwall territory.
|
| A short lineout on the Millwall twenty-two was plucked from the air by
Pat Stroud and presented beautifully off the top of the lineout,
allowing Dean Bourne to come steaming on to the ball from depth and at
pace. He was unstoppable, crashing over to score and spark the OBRFC
revival.
|
| Increased OBRFC intensity and dominance at the breakdown caused
Millwall to give away a string of penalties in an effort to stifle the
rampant away side, eventually resulting in the sin-binning of the
Millwall scrum half for killing the ball.
|
| From the penalty Perry Reeves shunted the away side into the corner and,
with James Holmes securing lineout possession, it was Perry Reeves
himself who was on hand this time to crash over and score.
|
| The mercurial Simon Peace showed flashes of his brilliant best in attack
and defence, with some particularly judicious strategic kicking.
However, his influence in the match stretched far beyond those occasions
when he had the ball at his disposal; indeed, it was his vocal
organisation and guidance of an otherwise inexperienced back three that
proved most invaluable to the Old Brentwoods' cause. Mark Weafer's
assured performance was as much a credit to Simon Peace as it undoubtedly
was to the player himself.
|
| With the scores now level and OBRFC battering the Millwall barricades,
Perry Reeves took the opportunity, with half-time approaching, to nudge
OBRFC into the lead with a sweetly-struck drop-goal.
|
| Half-time did the away side no favours, as their dominance at the end of
the first-half evaporated during the break and they were reduced to pale
shadows of their former selves, conceding three early second-half tries
in no time at all, due to a truly embarrassing absence of tackling.
|
| The slap in the face of conceding twenty-one unanswered points stirred
OBRFC and, with the introductions of Neil Tentner into the centre,
adding fresh impetus to the back line, and prop Gary Fryett similarly
reinvigorating the forward pack, the away side were able to start to
claw their way back into the game.
|
| Again, a stable forward platform and aggressive intent in attack and
defence allowed OBRFC to crank up the pressure on their opposition. The
pressure led to penalties and a sensible mix of quick taps from Alastair
Rigden and racking kicks from Perry Reeves saw OBRFC take the fourth
quarter by the scruff of the neck.
|
| As an attack seemed to be faltering, second row Peter Cox swept up the
loose ball and charged into the opposition tacklers, supported by his
fellow forwards. The ball was recycled quickly and Perry Reeves was able
to stab a grubber kick through for centre Neil Tenter to run on to. Tackled without the ball,
the latter was prevented from
completing the score but the foul play resulted in the award of a
penalty try.
|
| Wave after wave of OBFRC attack hit the Millwall defences, and a breach was
inevitable. Neil Hannaway provided the incisive blow, with a beautiful,
long pass from midfield to the impressive Jon Ely on the wing. The pass
gave him a little time and space and he exploited the opportunity to its
fullest, using his pace to finish in fine style.
|
| Perry Reeves's fourth successful conversion closed the gap to four points
and with five minutes left on the clock all seemed set for an exciting
finish.
|
| In the end it proved too little too late for OBRFC who were left to rue
dreadful starts to each half. It was a disappointing result for a side packed
with so much quality and potential, as evidenced by their play at times
on Saturday, when they were irresistible, and at other times during the
season, but their enigmatic propensities make it difficult for them to
mount a consistent challenge. To coin a phrase, "will the real OBRFC
please stand up!"
|