The warm proved to be an unexpecting opposition to overcome, Winger Liam Talbot pulling his hamstring. This moved Patrick Warriner from Bench to Starting and his brother Oscar from support to the OBs Bench. Then Captain Stuart Smyth went down with a rolled ankle just minutes before Kick-off. Oscar being the obvious hooker replacement found himself pint in hand to starting in a matter of minutes.

Having faced rain and frost in preceding weeks, powerful winds were to be this week’s seasonal challenge with the Woodies facing the gale force head on for the first half. Aware this would essentially eliminate any kick or exit strategy, the boys in blue knew they had a hard 40mins in store.

Barking started strong, their big carriers spurred on by a big turnout of Home supporters and using the wind advantage well. However with their first possession Old Brentwoods showed they were here to play, moving the ball wide before drilling deep into the opponent’s half. Despite losing the resulting set piece the Home side were unable to clear their lines enabling Woodies to demonstrate slick handling coast to coast, giving Fly half Tim Mason the mismatch and space to dummy his way through the middle and across the line for the first score. [0-7]

Looking deadly with ball in hand Old Brentwoods immediately went back on the attack from the kick off, the ball finding it’s way to speedster Pat Warriner to dance his way up the field. Threading some testing phases together the Old Boys battled their way to within striking distance of the whitewash, finally sucking in enough defenders to execute a significant overlap and allow Aaron Knapp to crash over for the team’s second try. [0-12]

Some quick offloading off the short restart again found gaps in the kick chase with Prop Danny Steward striking back into the attacking half before a breakdown in the subsequent play. The wind continued to play a role in ruining lineouts and handling thereby making scrummaging a key and contested area. Off such a base the Old Brentwoods were able to launch a preset move to again release their darting Warriner winger off a sharp running line giving him enough space to turn on the after burners into the corner. [0-17]

So far starved of meaningful possession, Barking were at last given a chance from the reset, using a quick tap penalty to spark some direct rugby and finally get their wheels turning. Off of some powerful carries the Home side were able to charge across the line reducing the difference. [5-17]
Following some messy play with both sides attempting to exert dominance, an over-zealous Brendan Mullen was shown yellow for a ruck infringement. Keen to get a foot hold back in the game and now with a significant pack weight advantage, a reinspired Barking began their next barraging attack converting the pressure with their mammoth #8 bursting through tacklers and under the sticks. [12-17]

Now with some momentum and still with the numeric advantage, Barking continued to press the game forward with tight running. Meeting them physically in the contact areas, the Boys in Blue were able to turn over the ball on several occasions, but the punishing headwind forced them to play from deep. At risk of conceding another try, it fell to player/Manager/Coach/Captain Matthew Staines to recharge the Visitors, taking a tap penalty from our own 5m line on a heroic tackler-shedding gallop before offloading to support. Reeling defenders were unable to reorganise before Old Bs ruthlessly passed through the hands awarding Winger James Sullivan a walk-in try against the flow of play. [12-22]

From highs to lows, the celebrations were cut short from the subsequent deep kick off, with a floating Stainesy pass falling into touch – the stark contrast in execution earning him a sobering Dick of the Day. Firmly with their backs against the wall, Woodies defended their goal line bravely but were ultimately unpicked with another converted try right before the halftime whistle. [19-22 HT]

Halftime brought changes; Liam Stone for Richard Clarke [making his first appearance for the 1st XV this season] and Oscar Warriner for Stuart Smyth reinstating himself as Captain.

Feeling frustrated with the scoreline, acknowledging they now had the winds at their backs and with a recycled front row, Old Brentwoods headed into the second half driven to succeed. Immediately they used the hefty draught to fire a 50-22 the length of the pitch. Despite possession exchanging hands several times Barking remained pinned in their half. Eventually, a turned over scrum gave #8 Mike Ashby a clear run down the blindside popping the ball to a hard running Aaron Knapp for his second of the day, with conversion. [19-29]

It wasn’t long until Woodies once more were able to drive the ball deep into attacking territory. Knowing where the gaps were and unselfishly moving the ball they were able to pull off another lineout set play, the Forwards charging around the corner for a juggling finish by the hard working Brendan Mullen. [19-34]

A period of broken play followed with both being victims to handling errors until James Sullivan chipped over the top to forcing an attacking scrum from close. A subsequent ruck infringement was ruthlessly taken quickly by the Old Boys – moving the ball twice past tired defenders to complete Aaron Knapp’s hat trick. [19-39]

It wouldn’t be long until the Woodies again found themselves adding to the scoring. Regardless of a less than perfectly performed set piece, the Visitors’ were able to get the ball outside to Fullback Rhys Town who, running out of space, strategically kicked back in field for the rapid Pat Warriner to race after and down in the goal area for his second – icing on a great performance worthy of the game’s Man of the Match. Mason converted [19-46]

Irritation from the Home side led to some flared tempers in the next passage of play, but Woodies were able to keep blue heads and calmly keep to their strategy. From a lineout on the halfway they were able to pick off over eager one up defenders and tactically attack space, Centre Nick Clarke picking up the final offload and diving over the line. [19-51]

In the dying moments of the game Woodies once more found themselves in an opportune line out position. Seeing their opponents’ head down, a short in and out set Hooker Stu Smyth free from the 22 giving the Irishman ample space to dart in for the team’s 10th & final try [19-56].

A valuable 5pt win and a superb finish to the year for Old Brentwoods, particularly seeing some training ground sessions pay off on the field. The Woodies now rest up over the holidays until a sprint finish for the season starting with Millwall away in the New Year.

Author G.Barrett & A.I.