Match Report
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| Date - 3rd September 2005 |
Billericay 2nd XV -v- Old Brentwoods 2nd XV |
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| Billericay 2nd XV 27 Old Brentwoods 2nd XV 28 |
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| On one of the hottest days this year, the Old Brentwoods 2nd XV travelled to Billericay to play their first game of the season.
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| The Old Boys forwards took the game to Billericay in the opening twenty minutes, led from the front by Ed Tomlinson, Dave Knapp and Phil Pembroke. Pressure resulted in a line-out on Billericay’s five yard line, and Alex Hughes was able to gather the ball in from the throw-in and feed Alastair Rigden, who then put Billy Mullen into a gap for what must be one of his easiest scores.
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| Billericay came back almost immediately with a break-away try, which gave their forwards a timely boost of confidence. The Old Boys forwards started to crumble at the set pieces and the pressure was only lifted when the three-quarter line scored a great try following a turn over.
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| Fly-half Jacques Pretorius, playing his first game for the club, made the initial break and was able to offload to fellow newcomer Darragh Harnett. The ball was quickly recycled and Eddie Clayton was able to take it into contact and hold on until the support finally arrived in the shape of Ian Hannaway. Pretorius reclaimed the ball and streaked over for a fine try.
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| This score galvanised Billericay and they fought back well, pressuring the Old Boys into mistakes and bringing the play inside the Old Boys' 22. Excellent defence by Matt O’Connor, Peter Cox and Simon Peace kept them out at the try line, but overexuberance resulted in a penalty being given under the posts, Billericay opting for the three points.
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| As half time approached, the heat of the day was really starting to take effect on the players from both teams. What had been a well-balanced, good standard of Rugby started to deteriorate as knock-ons, a few late tackles and some strange decisions (from both sides) threatened to ruin a good game.
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| It was at this low point that Billericay gathered themselves and their full back produced a fine try, thwarting what had previously been a good defence from the Old Boys.
The half-time whistle was a welcome break.
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| Some tired (and injured) legs were replaced in the second half, with John Mole, Rory Harnett, Ollie Staines and Keith Last joining what had now become a Billericay-dominated game.
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| Ten minutes into the second half Billericay scored again, bringing the scoreline to 27-12 to the home side.
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| Against the run of play Andy Godden charged down a chip from the Billericay inside centre, and Pretorius tidied up the ensuing mess to go in for a try under the posts almost untouched. Hughes added the conversion.
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| The Old Boys forwards started to show some great determination in the last quarter of the game. Winning a scrum against the head, and winning every line-out regardless of which side was throwing in. A determination not to lose brought the game to a head with the Old Boys getting a penalty under the Billericay posts.
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| Hughes, taking up the pivot position, tapped and feigned a pass to Billy Mullen, whom Billericay were all targeting. Hughes took advantage of this and went for the gap, scored a try and then converted to give victory to the Old Boys by the narrowest of margins.
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| A summer of constructive training led by Coach Eugene O’Riordan, has really set the Old Brentwoods up for a great season. A recruitment policy that has seen the club's player base swell by almost a third and lots of reorganisation means that the Old Brentwoods Rugby Club can look forward to a season of regular games.
With this will come the continuity that is required to push for more success.
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