Old Brentwoods v.s. Ilford Wanderers - Match report

A big day loomed for OBRFC as they faced a 2nd place league table contenders Ilford Wanders. Ilford came with a heavy forward pack which meant a tough contest for the newly developing mobile pack from OBRFCs

A clever kick into the wind from Ilford got the match started with the big ruck contests starting immediately. In this instance Ilford came out on top, turning the ball over and started with a barrage of heavy forward runs around the fringes. Keen to get these runners down before they gained momentum, OBRFC stepped offside. The wanderers kicked deep into the 22 and won the line out, opting for a maul. This proved the right call as the strong pack drove over the line without much resistance from OBRFC. This play would be the story of the first half. Ilfords 10 had powerful running options left and right, whom each broke the line and made yards. Frustration building, the errors kept coming, keeping OBRFC on the back foot. Ilford used the lineout option with great affect, the 5 man lineout with a maul repeatedly crossing over the line. Slowly the intensity from OBRFC started to increase, Dave Embling and Richard Clarke making themselves a nuisance in the breakdown and bringing the physicality back to Ilford. Towards the end of the first half OBRFC finally got Ilford back into their own half. It was OBRFC’s turn for a kick to the corner and a lineout, however Choosing to ship it out further than their robust forwards. David Embling drew his man and with a subtle pop, puts Luke ‘Kem’ Taylor in under the posts. Scores at half time, 27-7.

With strong words from Max and Lennox, OBRFC knew that Ilford were tiring and the only way to win the game would be to increase the intensity. The forwards started to make yardage and line breaks through Sam Wilkinson and Ethan. But If they couldn’t go through them, they would go round them. This came with the quick footwork of Rhys Newton and Izzy Kibirige, beating multiple defenders and making great yardage. Izzy had a spell of magic from his own 22, stepping the fast approaching full back who had kicked over the top, he weaved his way all the way through to Ilford 40, the offload unfortunately bringing a knock on to stop the attack. Rhys took his turn to step his way round the Ilford wingers, pacing his way into the corner for the second try. Kem converted with a great long range kick from touch. OBRFC looked to have their passion back and started to bring the fight back to Ilford. However finishing would be OBRFC’s downfall, failing to execute the last phase of play would see multiple try scoring opportunities go a miss. Handling errors meant that innovative offloads and kick-throughs from the backline would only allow returning pressure from Ilford. The end of the second half finished 7-7. But all of OBRFC players knew the game could have been there’s. 34-14 final score.

1ST XV Team: Dave Embling, Liam Tilly, Richard Clarke, James Lennox (C), Ethan Kannor, Steve Pearson, Josh Turrell, Sam Wilkinson, Darragh Harnett, Jamie Pugh, Zach Yeldham, Nick Clarke, Luke Taylor, Izzy Kiburige, Rhys Newton, .

Sub; Kyle Page, Matt Jones, Liam Talbot.

DOTD: Lennox - Blatent playing the ball on the floor in front of the ref
MOTM: David Embling - constant hard work in the breakdown and solid defence.