Sat 12 Oct 2024
It’s impossible to predict the outcome of a local derby between OC’s and Barker Butts. Great camaraderie between these two sides and great respect for each other.
Barkers arrived at Tile hill Lane without a win this season but some very narrow losses.
A very close game it proved to be. Barkers two tries and a penalty were not enough. Chat Senavirathne snatched the victory with a long range penalty to add to his earlier two successes. An earlier try from Emosi Nabakeke made the final score 16-15.
A great afternoon at Tile Hill Lane with two games against Barkers at 1st XV and Extras level. Reminiscent atmosphere of previous times.
Some trivia. I have witnessed OC’s field four Soesan brothers in a 1st XV fixture and more recently four Kelly brothers. Today was different; we had two McMurray brothers on the field but representing different sides. They had been instructed by Mum to play nicely with each other.
Barkers kicked off with the wind and slope advantage. OC’s try to move the ball early. We press with a lineout on the Barkers 22 but a kick exchange gives Barkers the advantage and they have a lineout left field on our 22. The wind is tricky and we overturn the lineout and a couple of subsequent ones. We press for a while in the right corner but the Barkers defence is solid. OC’s have had most of the territory in the first 20 minutes. Mason McMurray, starting at No10, has tested the defence and Ollie Cunningham in the centre has shown his elusiveness.
The OC’s scrum is under pressure but Elliot Sheepy at No.8 and Sam Miles at No.9 make sure we win our ball but the Barkers defence makes it very difficult to get our talented back line moving. A Mason McMurray break finally gains us good ground and Barkers infringe in the tackle. Chat is able to break the deadlock on 32 minutes with a simple penalty from in front.
3-0 after 32 minutes
The lead didn’t last long. OC’s are penalised from the kick off. Barkers win the subsequent lineout and a convincing driven maul gives them a try which was converted.
3-7 after 35 minutes
George Curtis is injured in the tackle and has to leave the field. Jack Butler is on, into the fray but the game dwindles away into the interval.
3-7 at the break.
We are using our bench wisely. Jim Ryan is off for a while and Tom Houston is on at prop.
We kick off with the advantage of the elements and retain possession. We are predominantly in Barkers territory after the restart. Finally, from midfield we do manage to swing the ball left and winger Emosi Nabakeke receives and proves too fast for the Barkers defence. He takes them on the outside to score in the corner. A terrific conversion from Chat and we are 10-7 ahead.
10-7 after 8 minutes of second period.
Barkers seem to grow in confidence and determination. They are after that first victory. They have some elusive runners and are putting us under pressure, despite the wind. They earn a penalty right in front but elect the scrum. Presumably this option was buoyed by their earlier driving maul success. This time it goes wrong for them and we relieve with a penalty.
Barkers are again in our 22 with a lineout on the right but the wind plays its part again and we are able to relieve with a huge Chat kick into our opponents 22. They run it back at us from right field. An elusive run at great pace and a missed tackle give them a try in the left corner.
10-12 after 22 minutes of the 2nd period.
Aaron Tolley is now on in the forwards and he soon makes his presence felt making good ground in a pick and take sequence. We are pressing well and cross on the left but the ball was apparently not grounded but we stay in possession with a penalty. We move it from the left wing to the right but the ball goes to touch. Barkers run it out from defence but get penalised almost on the half way line. Chat goes for the kick and succeeds to get our noses back in front.
13-12 after 31 minutes of the second period.
Barkers determination to run the ball pays off and a penalty on our 22 allows them to move ahead yet again with a successful kick.
13-15 after 34 minutes of second period.
Play is in midfield and Barkers are penalised at their own scrum on their 10 metre line. Chat steps up for the attempt and his torpedo kick flies over, just centimetres above the cross bar.
16-15 after 37 minutes played of this half.
We are pressing in these last few minutes and we almost finish in grand style. Emosi is flying down his left wing and seems sure to touch down in the corner but he is thwarted by his selflessness when he attempts to pass inside but the ball is tapped to ground by a defender. We press the line again but Sam Miles decides to end the proceedings and puts the ball into touch to the sound of the final whistle.
The game wasn’t the spectacle we were hoping for but it was a hard fought battle.
Some good performances. Notably young Dan Anderson at second row who has made the transition from colts rugby this season, earned his third man of the match performance. He is also undefeated at downing his pint in record time at the award ceremony
Look forward to the visit to Worcester next week.
