Sat 9 Nov 2024
This weekend, OC’s travelled across to Bromsgrove rugby club to face their second XV, who have struggled so far this season to get out of the bottom part of the League. On paper, OC’s would have been favorites but this ground has not been very kind to the OC’s in recent years. But the team this season seems to be more organised and more resilient than in previous years. As the game panned out, there were actually a few interesting parallels with the game being played down at Twickenham between England and Australia – with the home side taking a two try early lead and then the skill and pace of the visiting team finally winning out.Once again, OC’s were forced in to a number of changes from their previous starting 18, which included the return of Jack Kelly at fullback and Jordan Kelly on the bench – both returning back to their home Club from a short stint at Coventrians.
Bromsgrove’s intent was clear from the kickoff, fielding some weighty players in their forwards. Once such play saw their mobile hooker cut through the OC’s midfield taking the home side close to the OC’s line. After a few minutes of pressure, the Bromsgrove forwards finally managed to power over the whitewash to give them a very early 7-0 lead. Things didn’t get much better for the OC’s. After just 10 minutes, aggressive backrower Jack Stokes had to be replaced after suffering an injury which gave an early start for Jordan Kelly who was forced to play out of position at No. 6. As OC’s pushed to get back into the game, Bromsgrove went further ahead when their fly half intercepted a loose pass in midfield sprinted down the field and laid it off for their winger to run the ball in under the posts. Fifteen minutes gone, 14-0 down and it looked very much like it was going to be another tough day in Worcestershire for the OC’s.
OC’s though are a different side these days with some exciting young talent in their ranks, complementing the experience of the likes of veteran Paul Wilkes . OC’s tried to play some enterprising, open rugby but were stymied a little by some odd referee’ing decisions – unclear to the players and the crowd – probably the cause of a bit of handbags between a number of confused players on both sides. However, on 30 minutes, the game was turned on its head by a piece of absolute genius from young winger Emosi Nabakeke. Emosi picked up a kick over the top deep inside his own 22. Ignoring the shouts of “kick it”, he stepped 3 chasing Bromsgrove backs, accelerated out of the grasp of several of the floundering Bromsgrove forwards and cantered the remaining 40 metres to score a spectacular individual try underneath the Bromsgrove posts. As good a solo try as you will see at this level of rugby. The trusty boot of Chatty Senavirathne stepped up to slot home the conversion to get OC’s on the scoreboard.
OC’s continued to be positive in their approach and move the ball around the field pushing Bromsgrove back into their own half. One such move wide gave some space to Jack Butler who stepped inside his opposite man to set up a ruck. Spotting space on the blindside, scrum half, Sam Miles picked up the ball without breaking stride and romped home to score in the corner. An excellent kick from the touchline by Chatty drew the scores level just before half time. Two quick scores seemed to change the momentum of the match and Bromsgrove finished the half somewhat in disarray. OC’s seemed to gain the ascendancy even in the set pieces – taking one against the head with a massive drive giving them a penalty on the halfway line. Despite some pressure on their own line for the final 5 minutes of the half, Bromsgrove held out, leaving the scores tied at halftime.
Half-time score: Bromsgrove II 14 v 14 Old Coventrians
OC’s were forced to make a huge change at halftime, with Emosi taking a knock just before the half and not being able to continue. On came former Colt Ram Chopra to make his first team debut – the OC’s conveyor belt of young talent once again stepping up successfully into senior rugby. Bromsgrove, fresh from their halftime oranges, managed to re-gather their composure and went back to Plan A, using their forwards to progress up the field. The first 15 minutes of the half were very evenly contested, with both sides defences meeting the challenge firmly. It looked like the deadlock might be broken when Josh Kent picked a loose ball and charged through a number of tackles in typical style, giving some space to Ayuk Takang to fly down the wing. It looked like an easy score for the winger but some fabulous cover tackling by the Bromsgrove fullback saved the day for the home side.
The deadlock was finally broken when, following a scrum on the halfway line, the Bromsgrove backs were able to manoeuvre the ball wide to their speedy winger who outstripped the OC’s defense to give the lead back to Bromsgrove 21-14. OC’s bounced back immediately, as the kick off was knocked on by the Bromsgrove fullback and picked up by one of his teammates in an offside position. OC’s opted to go for the 3 points and Chatty comfortably slotted over the penalty to narrow the gap. Another blow to the OC’s, as they lost one of their key workhorse’s. After another 100% performance from Kenty, he was forced off the field with a leg injury, leaving the OC’s to shuffle their forwards around as front row forward, Tom Houston, came on as a replacement.
The game ebbed and flowed with both sides having opportunities to score but the defences of both sides stood firm. Chatty went to the boot and some fine kicks pushed Bromsgrove back into their own 22. Bromsgrove defence was really being tested and, despite giving away a series of penalties on their own 5m line, OC’s seemed unable to break through. When it was needed, up stepped impressive skipper Sam Miles who was enjoying probably his best overall game in an OC’s shirt. He found a narrow gap in the Bromsgrove defence and twisted and turned his way over the line to give OC’s the lead. Chatty again bisecting the uprights to give the OC’s a narrow 3-point lead. Bromsgrove pushed really hard to get the score that would give them a much-needed win but some brave tackling and steadfast defensive work across all 15 OC’s players kept them at bay to secure a really hard fought 4 points for the away team.
On a day when the game was lit up by a superb piece of individual brilliance, it was the OC’s defence that really won the day. Whilst every player put in a huge shift, George Curtis, Luke Ireland and Sam Miles were absolutely immense – George in particular looking back to his best and giving the crowd a lot to cheer about with sometrademark powerful tackles. Coming off the field, the coaching team of Dom Owen, Paul Anderson and Jordan Diston looked relieved and proud in equal measure – maybe also a few years older with the stress of a tough afternoon!!
Full-time score: Bromsgrove 21 v 24 Old Coventrians
