Match Report
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| Date - 8th April 2006 |
Stanford le Hope -v- Old Brentwoods 1st XV |
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| Stanford 7 Old Brentwoods 55 |
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| OBRFC wrapped up their league campaign with a thumping win away to
Stanford that left them fourth in the league at the end of the season.
This completed a fantastic couple of weeks for the club with this
victory for the 1st XV following hot on the heels of the 2nd XV's
successful defence of the "Silver Ball", in the tournament held at
Brentwood RFC the previous week.
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| Having spent the majority of the season playing under leaden skies and
with the going soft under foot, it took a while for both sides to adjust
to the firm ground and the sunshine on their backs.
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| It was OBRFC who struck the first blow, fluid handling and hard running
by their three-quarters allowing Dean Bourne to cross the white wash for
the opening try. Other than an inexplicable attack of the jitters
immediately after scoring, which allowed Stanford to draw level, Dean
Bourne's score set the tone for the afternoon.
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| OBRFC's backs were consistently more than a handful for their Stanford
counterparts. Alastair Rigden and Chris Reah, at scrum half and fly half
respectively, orchestrated the away side's attacks expertly and
intelligently. Meanwhile the centre partnership of Neil Tentner and Neil
Hannaway created acres of space for the potent OBRFC back three, with
clever running angles and well timed passes. Matthew Brown and Gary
Boyce were a constant threat on the wings, with the latter grabbing a
brace of tries. However, the star turn of the day came from man of the
match, full back, Dean Bourne. He amassed an individual points tally of
40 points, consisting of six tries and five conversions. His performance
was characterised by power and pace, awareness of space and superb lines
of running. As well as being a try scorer he was also a provider,
notably when he presented Gary Boyce with a try scoring pass while
surrounded by defenders and being driven into touch.
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| Stanford mounted a genuine and sustained assault on the OBRFC line
immediately after half time but solid defence, with the second row
pairing of Bill Hayes and Peter Cox particularly outstanding, repelled
them.
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| It was then left to the away side's pack to re-establish their supremacy
up front and give their three-quarters the platform and the ball they
needed to put the result beyond any doubt.
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| The front row of Charlie Raymond, Gary Murphy and Gary Fryett stepped up
to the mark as they have all season and put the squeeze on at scrum time
and with the back row triumvirate of James Holmes, Matthew Staines and
Jamie Matthews dominating the lineout, OBRFC took the lion's share of
possession and controlled the match from then on.
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| A strong finish to the season by OBRFC and the prospect of their
impending tour to Barcelona means spirits will undoubtedly be high
within the club. Their aim for next season must surely be greater
consistency, then they may well have real cause for celebration this
time next year.
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