Sat 14 Dec 2024
We had reached the halfway stage of the league season and the home fixture against Evesham would be the first opportunity to avenge one of our three defeats.
We had narrowly lost to our visitors earlier in the season, 35-31. but today the boys were clearly in the frame of mind to stamp their authority on this match and capitalise on the abundance of talent we have in this side.
There were great performances from everyone, and it was teamwork that created the opportunities for our ten try extravaganza.
There were some standout performances.
James Callaway gave a masterclass in tackling techniques and was awarded man of the match by his skipper Sam Miles.
Josh James on the right wing scored a couple of tries and made endless yardage with bustling runs and defenders bouncing off him.
The young second row partnership of Jack Fennell and Dan Anderson is blossoming. Dan is playing only his first season at lock, but his skills developed playing his youth rugby in the back line are serving him well.
Elliot Sheepy is colossal under the high ball and his return charges at the opposition made ground every time.
With a rock-solid scrum today, Elliot at No8 combining with his skipper Sam at No9 allowed us to play expansive rugby with incisive runs.
That rock solid scrum was the foundation and was due (not in a small way), to the strength, and dare I say, bulk, of Chris Cain at prop.
George Curtis is having one of his best seasons and 50% of our tries today came from the elusive talents of Emosi Nabakeke and our Chairmans son Jack Aston.
Emosi got a couple and Jack got his hattrick.
It’s cold but still as we kick off up the slope with the low sun in our faces.
It takes Evesham six minutes to get into our half following some enterprising stuff with Jack Aston putting JJ on a couple of his trademark speedy bustling runs.
Evesham do get close on the left but we relieve and from a good Jack Fennell lineout, JJ and Dan combine on a run which gets us 20 metres out. Evesham are quite strong at the breakdown early on and we must be clinical to recycle cleanly.
We overturn an Evesham scrum. Then from a great take by Dan at a lineout on the left and 22 metres out Emosi comes in from his left wing and touches down underneath for Chat Senavirathne to convert after 15 minutes. Chat will be instrumental in martialling the back line today with his vision and calmness.
7-0 (after15)
A couple of minutes later we are pressing the Evesham defence. Chat and Emosi make the initial ground. Alex Kelly, Sam and Elliot continue the move. Jack Aston is in the line at every opportunity. He receives from Elliot and doesn’t need JJ outside him to score an unconverted try.
12-0 (after 20)
Following the restart JJ is down with a leg injury but the magic sponge works its magic, and he is back on his feet. Not much time for him to recover because he is again charging down the right after an Evesham kick for position is charged down.
We’re in midfield and the ball is with Sam. JJ and Jack Buttler move it on. We lose possession but we quickly rob it back and Jack Aston nearly makes it on the right. We have a 5 metre scrum on the right. It’s solid, Jack A is in the line again and he feeds Emosi for his second. Jack is taking every opportunity to get into the fray, which probably emanates from spending most of his young career as a No9
17-0 (after31)
We seem to be in charge now albeit Evesham force a drop out from the goal line. Our rapid line defence forces an error by the Evesham receiver, and we have a scrum. Solid possession again and Chat and Emosi race up the left and we look certain to add to our tally, but an inside pass goes astray and Evesham capitalise. The outside centre races through for a try which is converted.
17-7 (after34)
Within a couple of minutes, we seem to have relaxed, and the Evesham right wing has the ball and races over for a second converted try.
17-14 (after37)
This score gets the Evesham support excited, and the OC support concerned but we shouldn’t have worried because that would be the end of the Evesham scoring for the afternoon.
We raise our game. We have a scrum 30 metres out. Elliot picks up at the back feeds his No10 Chat whilst Sam loops round and creates havoc and it’s Sam who scores on the left.
22-14 (after 40) and the whistle for the break sounds with an Evesham attack on our line which ends with a penalty to OC’s
We’re adding to our tally early into the second period and we force our way to 5 metres from the Evesham line on the left. They relieve but we take a good lineout and JJ once again scythes through for the first of his brace of tries. Chat converts.
29-14 (after 5)
Evesham take a scrum but hard tackling George stops the attack dead in its tracks. They are still close though and what seemed a scoring pass was dropped by the attacker trying to take the ball at pace.
We have rung the changes today and used our bench effectively. Jordan Kelly gets on for the injured Josh Kent. It’s good to see Joe Tregartha on the field for the first time this season after a long injury period.
We win a scrum on the right and our line is all set for the ball to come left but Sam is forced to go right, and JJ makes a run on the right. Then it comes left, and Jack Aston almost makes it but finally George crosses and Chat converts from the touch.
36-14 (after 23)
Evesham make a rare enterprising run up the right but James cuts it short with one of his man of the match tackles.
Evesham have kicked through and Chat puts in a fine long relief kick. Emosi chases and his speed and tackle but the receiver under pressure. Dan and Emosi make ground on the left. Evesham have a scrum midfield and kick through but our second row partnership combine to clear. Jack pounces on the loose ball, gets to his feet and feeds Dan who puts in a good clearance kick. We rob an Evesham lineout, and George comes away with it and Jack Aston makes 40 metres, Emosi makes another 10 and offloads to Jack Buttler for a try which Chat converts.
43-14 (after36)
That score would be the start of a four try flurry in the final 5 minutes of the match. Dan Anderson goes on the rampage. Jordan Kelly continues with defenders bouncing from him. The ball goes right, and JJ is on hand for the score which Chat again converts.
50-14 (after 37)
From the kick off Dan runs on the left. Emosi is in support and Jack Aston takes the final pass for his second and another conversion from Chat.
57-14 (after 40)
A couple of penalties which, we take quickly gets us to halfway. Jack Aston has it on the left with Emosi outside him. Emosi moves inside bringing his marker with him which allows Jack to take the outside channel and score his hattrick. Chat converts again with a seven out of ten-success rate.for the afternoon.
64-14 at stumps
An excellent performance lads.
It’s great to watch.
Keep working together.
There is more to come from you boys I’m sure.
