Sat 15 Feb 2025
My goodness, was it cold and wet today and those conditions played a major role in the performance of both teams. It was extremely slippy under foot, forcing errors in attack and defence.
In fairness, despite the elements, both teams tried to play open, attractive rugby but many enterprising moves could not be rewarded with a score, due mainly, to the difficult playing conditions.
Positional changes today and other lads being given a 1stXV opportunity. Dan Kelly returned to the club joining two of his brothers, Jordan and Alex, in the starting lineup. Dan would also be rewarded with the final try of the match.
Despite Bromsgrove's lowly position in the table, the boys today will not have approached this fixture with complacency. Only three points separated the sides in the away fixture earlier in the season.
Bromsgrove kick off down the slight slope and they would stay in OC's half for the first 10 minutes due mainly, to good recycled ball and our errors at a lineout and a failed attempt to run the ball from defence. Bromsgrove earned a penalty at that breakdown but failed with the goal kick. We finally get to the Bromsgrove half with a flowing move where Ayuk Takang is in the line from fullback and Josh James and Elliott Sheepy make further ground.
OC’s are attacking well now. The set scrum is dominant and this gives Elliott Sheepy many opportunities to pick up at the back, but on this occasion we are penalised at the breakdown. We are on the attack again, and two of the Kelly boys, Jordan and Alex, combine to get us close. We earn a penalty and Chat Senavirathne pops it over from 30 metres to begin the afternoon's scoring.
3-0 after 15 minutes
We're getting a little more confident now and Jordan Kelly makes a magnificent turnover in the Bromsgrove half and Chat steps up for his second penalty success.
6-0 after 19 minutes
Jordan is enjoying a renaissance, playing really well at wing forward following so many seasons as a 1stXV scrum half. Great stuff.
Chat’s return from the kick-off gets us to the Bromsgrove 22 metre line. The counter return forces a slip on the sodden ground. Bromsgrove continue the pressure with a strong run from the full back after managing to kick through our scrummage ball.
So, Bromsgrove have a 5 metre scrum. They recycle and drive several times but OC's defence holds for a while, but finally, Bromsgrove are rewarded and score but the try is not converted.
6-5 after 30 minutes
We chase the kickoff and Bromsgrove desperately managed to secure the ball close to their line but we run the relief kick back at them with Ollie Cunningham almost making it. Alex Kelly is on hand to take the offload and touchdown.
11-5 after 33 minutes
Bromsgrove are trying to do some damage in our 22 but we break from our line through Emosi Nabakeke and Ayuk. We miss an opportunity when a pass goes to ground but we're still thereabouts attacking on the right. Sam Miles throws out a long pass to Ayuk and he crosses unopposed. Chat is successful with the conversion.
18-5 at half time
Bromsgrove get an early penalty in the second period and they have a lineout 5 metres out on the right. We're driving the scrum at will. On one occasion, Bromsgrove must have travelled 15 metres backwards. Unfortunately we can't capitalise. We’re pressing on the left and Chris Cain has a drive. Not this time, Chris, but be patient. Bromsgrove get a scrum 5 metres from their line but we drive it and Sam Miles, as alert as ever, picks up and claims his reward with a try converted by Chat.
23-5 11 minutes into the half.
There is a second attempt to restart with a scrum in the middle, but again we can't capitalise on a dominant scrummage. Some more wonderful attacks with Emosi and Jordan almost getting there. Probably took a couple of wrong options in our eagerness to score but we are still in Bromsgrove territory. Jack Fennell takes a great lineout; another area we were pretty dominant in today. We seem to take for granted the quality of our defensive work. Sam Miles puts in a cruncher on his opposite No9. and all eight forwards are demonstrating textbook skills.
Bromsgrove are driven off their ball in the tackle on the right and the ball moves through the hands to the left. Now, Chris Cain gets his reward. He doesn't need Emosi on his outside and he scores his disserved try.
28-5 with ten minutes left
Elliot leaps from the restart to make a terrific take, and he and Ollie make good ground. From the scrum 10 metres out, Sam and Chat combine to feed Ollie, who glides through for the score. And Chat’s conversion is good.
35-5 with 5 minutes to go
Alex makes a characteristic bulldozing run from the kick-off and Chris and Lloyd Bates carry a little further. We have a scrum left, on the Bromsgrove 22 and the ball flows all the way right to Josh James who makes a charge. The forwards continue the drive from the breakdown and Dan Kelly, on his return, secures the 6th and final try of the afternoon. Chat converts to take his tally to 12 points.
42-5 is the final score
Our talented squad are clearly enjoying their rugby. Enterprising, working for each other, and fearless.
Jack fennel deservedly got the “man of the Match” award today for his all round contribution and work ethic.
Well done lads.
