Sat 21 Sep 2024
Lightning and rain were predicted for this game against local rivals Old Leamingtonians – however, the scoreline and the manner of the victory for OC’s wasn’t! Having lost both league fixtures last season against OL’s – who are always a well drilled and talented team – a very tough match was expected by everyone.
In front of a good-sized crowd, fuelled by a nice meal and a few beers at the Vice Presidents Lunch held before kick-off, OC’s started brightly and were ahead within 5 minutes. From a breakdown around the halfway line, the OC’s backs moved the ball slickly down the line, creating a nice overlap for Ayuk Takang to canter over the line. Fly half, Chatty Senavirathne, slotting over the conversion from wide out. Both teams tried to move the ball around and play expansive rugby but were each countered by some solid defensive work. The breakthrough came for the OC’s after 20 minutes when, once again, the OC’s backs showed lovely handling skills to get the Team a penalty 5m out from the OL’s line. From the tap penalty young second rower Dan Anderson powered over the line with two OL’s forwards on his back. Chatty stepped up to knock over the conversion and OC’s extended their lead to 14 points.
It was again the OC’s backs who were the difference between the two teams. A lovely bit of interplay between Chatty and JJ down the right-hand side of the field, lead to the ball been swept out to the left where Ollie Cunningham created some space for himself with a powerful hand-off of his opposite number and he ran the ball in from 40m out. The pressure was all coming from the OC’s and they completed the first half with two more tries – one for full back Emosi Nabakeke who drove through the OL’s defence from 5m out and one for Captain Sam Miles who finished off an excellent piece of interplay between himself and JJ with Sam outstripping the OL’s full back to dot down in the corner. Both tries converted by the boot of Chatty. An excellent half of rugby – fully appreciated by the crowd – closed with the OC’s well ahead.
Half-time score: Old Coventrians 33 v 0 Old Leamingtonians
After the enterprise and free running play of the first half, the first 15 minutes of the second half were quite tame, with neither side able to put much fluency together. That changed, however, after 15 minutes when a break by the OL’s centre was stopped by a superb cover tackle from hooker Jack Stokes who got up and turned the ball over giving OC’s left winger Ayuk Takang some space to cut through in midfield. OC’s quickly moved the ball out to the right where, once again, the deadly duo of Sam Miles and JJ combined to cut through the OL’s defence with JJ giving Sam a deft inside pass and, with a nice step inside, Sam beat the last defender to score OC’s sixth try of the game. Chatty again stepped up to convert the try.
OL’s did not give up and finally managed to get on the scoreboard midway through the second half when a slick move in their backs gave their No. 7 enough space to power in under the posts. OC’s countered with an immediate response. From the kick off, OC’s pushed towards the OL’s line and whilst a couple of players from both sides engaged in handbags off the ball after a high tackle from an OL’s defender, James Callaway smartly picked up the ball from 5 metres out to dive over the line. OC’s kept the scoreboard ticking over when replacement full back Sam Berry put a delicate kick through the OL’s defence which was gathered by the OC’s with the ball popped out to Jake Elvidge on the right, who galloped home from 35 metres out to push OC’s beyond the 50 point mark.
With OC’s down to 14 men, OL’s responded well with their second try neatly taken from close range. The final word was left with the OC’s though. More controlled play by the OC’s forwards took the team back down the field where newly re-signed Chris Cain dodged through the defence to score from close in - leaving the scoreline at 55 v 14 to the OC’s.
The OC’s back were undoubtedly the stars of the game however, man of the match James Callaway and hooker Jack Stokes did much of the grunt work to allow them the opportunities to shine. Special mention has to go to the referee Vincent Minto. Having had our two previous League games dominated by “the whistle” it was refreshing to be officiated by a referee who managed the game from start to finish with great control and a willingness to allow the players to enjoy their rugby.
Full-time score: Old Coventrians 55 v 14 Old Leamingtonians
