Sat 26 Oct 2024
A terrific day again at Tile Hill Lane.
It reminded us of what a terrific sport we play and support.
The Colts would set the scene with an early kick off and the victory over Broad St.
Berkswell and Balsall would triumph over OC’s extras and what a Ding Dong battle the 1stXV fixture would prove to be; also against Berkswell and Balsall.
Two tries apiece in the first half and OC’s took a slender 2 point lead at the interval.
The action proved more frenetic in the second-half with eight more tries to come. OC’s took the victory 43-38 with only a conversion and a penalty goal separating the protagonists.
I asked the referee at the conclusion whether he had enjoyed his game. He replied; “what a rugby match that was”.
It certainly was. A lot of skill and talent on show today.
B&B kicked off with the slight advantage of the slope and possibly the strong sun in the faces of the OC's lads.
Good retention and movement from OC’s but the ball goes to ground; B&B pounce and they move the ball left for a comfortable score within two minutes.
0-5 after 2 mins
The restart doesn't travel 10 metres and from a sound scrum in the middle, Chat Senavirathne breaks and it comes to Olliei Cunningham on the right, but he can't quite make the line. B&B have the ball briefly, but are robbed.
The ball comes left, but an unfortunate knock on denies us a score. B&B are pinned in their own half and relieve with a couple of kicks. Alex Kelly, playing in the unfamiliar role of No.15 makes some incisive return runs. These are well supported by the forwards. It was good to see Jack Fennel linking well, making his first start after his return from his exploration of Australia.
We're in the B&B 22. looking to release Josh James, but the attack comes to nought. BandB are now attacking well. Their backs look sharp and create dangerous opportunities as they move the ball to the flanks. There follows a strong period of B&B attacks.
We're on our line on the left touch with our scrum. The relief kick is not good enough and B&B run it wide to their left but we get relief again with a penalty. We have a scrum in our half, win it and use it. Chat makes a half break and it comes to Ollie on the right wing. The B&B defence seems to be in place but an inside dummy fools them and he scores on the right. Chat is able to convert.
7-5 after 25 minutes
From the restart, Chat puts BandB back in their own half. Some good work from OC’s. Some good forward drives. Emosi Nabakeke makes some good breaks and links with Chat. Ollie makes good ground on the right. He tries to push a ground kick through the defence but the defender takes the ball over the line for our scrum. We unfortunately lose vice captain James Calloway at this point which seemed like a serious injury.
We win the scrum and a few phases with the boys driving at the B&B line. Jack Stokes takes his opportunity to drive over for a second try, which Chat converts.
14-12 after 36 mins
The final minutes of the half sees OC’s pressing again with Jack Fennell and Ollie down the right. Skipper Sam Miles is back on following his earlier misdemeanour. B&B are in possession close to their line and it takes them two attempts to get the ball to touch to end the first half.
14-12 at the break.
Jack Buttler is now on for Ollie, who needs time to recover from a knock. Jack would soon make his presence felt. We're making a few errors in possession. We seem to have lost an opportunity after Emosi had put B&B defence under pressure. The ball however, goes loose and we regain it through Jack Butler and he crosses pretty much unopposed for a try which Chat converts.
21-12 after 5 mins of second period.
B&B immediately press and look to be free on the left, but Josh James expertly prevents the score and we have a scrum on our 22. Skipper Sam relieves with a kick but not far enough. BandB’s elusive and direct left wing almost makes the line and the move continues to the right and BandB have spare men to score between.
21-19 after 10 mins of second period.
Emosi is looking sharp on the left and makes good ground but the play initially comes to nothing. A good phase now of passing and retention is rewarded. Emosi is on the run from midfield and steps inside, several times, to score between. Chat again is able to convert.
28-19 after 15 minutes of the period.
After the restart, B&B are immediately back at as. They have a penalty on our five metre line. They drive and release the ball to the right for an unconverted score.
28-24 after 20 mins of the period.
We have put B&B under some pressure and we are 30 metres from their line. Another penalty award gives Chat an opportunity which he is able to convert to add to his tally.
31-24 after 28mins of the period.
A mistake from the kick-off and B&B drive it forward a couple of times and with good hands they score on the left. A torpedo of a conversion levels the scores.
31-31 after 31 mins of the second period.
Sam retrieves the kick-off and beats several players with his elusive footwork to make good ground. B&B. are penalised at the scrum 30 metres out and Chat has another opportunity but he's unlucky this time. We are still there though with a line out on the left. It's driven initially and comes to Jack Butler again, who gets his second try of the match. Chat converts from just right of the posts.
38-31 after 41 minutes played of the second period.
We're back with a lineout midfield and its OC’s ball. JJ makes terrific ground on the right but then Jim Ryan has latched onto it and scores just right of the uprights.
43-31 and we are now in extra time.
The game seems secure and we’re on the B&B line but they come away with it. Two B&B backs are racing down the left but No8 Elliott Sheepy is focused and pulls off a terrific tackle in the chase. Unfortunately, a supporting BandB player is able to pick up the loose ball and dot down.
43-38 after extra extra time.
Well done lads. Jack Butler was awarded Man of the Match for his excellent second-half performance from the bench. Another returning Kelly brother, Jack, was given man of the match in the extras fixture.
A pleasure to watch the feast of rugby today.
