Morley grabs headlines with Hat-Trick !!

For the second week running the intrepid OB U14’s crossed the river to try their luck again in Kent, this time being hosted by Westcombe Park in Orpington.
As last week the welcome was very warm and thankfully the weather was also far better. Westcombe Park had asked for four 15 minute game periods which allowed for plenty of squad rotation and so ensured all the boys got some good game time.
The opening 15mins set the tempo for the entire hour of play, which was fast direct rugby by both sides with all the boys clearly looking to run and pass the ball. OB’s opened the scoring through a piece of classic rugby, quick ball from the forwards and safe hands by the backs saw Morley dummy a pass to cross the line. Play restarted and OB’s again moved forward this time repeating a similar move on the right and again Morley came in from fullback to cross the line, Sagomba converted. WP then pushed back strongly driving deep into the OB half. However good OB defence led to a turn over and OB’s pushed back, none more so than Mr Griffin whom decided to put his head down and drive. This drive took him through the WP defensive line and directly under the posts, giving Sagomba an easy conversion. WP redoubled efforts and there was strong tackling and running on both sides but as the 15 minutes came to an end the OB forwards decided they should join the scoreboard. Captain Walker took it upon himself to cap a superb first quarter with his own try after great mauling by the OB pack with Torrado, Scott, Vickers, Shurety and Christopher working hard.
The second quarter saw Westcombe Park come back strong moving the ball well and running hard around the breakdown. OB’s defence and tackling had to be top notch and in particular Reid, Walker and Moss threw their bodies on the line as the OB back row struggled to hold the strong WP pack. Out wide the pressure was no less intense and Letch, Sagomba and Griffin tackled hard with Cobbe kicking intelligently to clear lines. A tense 15 minutes finished with no score by either side.
The third period started with OB’s moving the ball well and pushing deep into the WP half. Jessop was lively behind the pack distributing the ball well in conjunction with Cobbe’s direction at 10. However, the forwards opened the scoring as again Captain Walker drove himself across the line after strong,tight pack play off of a great Cobbe kick behind the WP defence. OB’s continued to press resulting in Reid crossing for a well deserved try. OB’s played expansive rugby allowing Morely to make a superb run from half way to cross for his hat-trick with Reid taking over kicking duties and converting. Not too be out done Sagomba also decided to show his turn of speed with his own superb solo effort run as the third quarter drew to its close, Reid converted.
The fourth period saw WP turn up the pressure and despite spirited defence from OB’s WP refused to be denied. They pressed hard and set up camp inside the OB’s half. As the period drew to an end the pressure told and WP crossed the OB line for a well worked try in the right hand corner.
What was noticeable this weekend was the way the team came together as a unit and most importantly communicated together and supported each other. Multiple calls as a ball came out, the defensive line coming up together and holes being plugged or lines being pulled out. Some of this was at the dulcet urging of the coaches, Mr Cobbe senior directing and Mr Cobbe junior mostly responding….. Although comic moment of the day Mr Cobbe senior “Come up flat more to your right with Morley” Mr Cobbe junior “What are you talking about… I am !!”.

The day was a huge success and we would like to thank the Westcombe Park Coaches, Players , Parents for a superb morning and especially Mr Smith for his excellent refereeing. We look forward to hosting a return fixture ourselves next season

Report by Mark Elliott