OHs through to 2nd round of Papa Johns Cup v Haywards Heath 36 - 5
It was easier than it sounds!
Match Report - OH 1st XV v Haywards Heath 1st XV - Saturday 13th April 2024
With league promotion secured, the Mighty OH turned their attention to the cup this weekend and an away fixture against Haywards Heath. The sun was shining, and spirits were high… in some cases spirits were still high in the system from the night before (Toby).
The boys stepped off the coach to be greeted by a steel frame, a clubhouse of dreams to be finished Q4 2024. Instead we ventured into changing room that had a similar smell to your Nan’s house after she’s had her legs open all day. Rank! Not to be deterred, the boys laced up and taped up and took the field for a solid warm up.
OH made an impressive start, a barrage of attacks saw Haywards Heath struggling to exit their 22. History proves that all great defences break down, and Joey Selim (AKA the dog whisperer) barked his way over the try line for OH’s first. Chicken slotted the extra 2 as the scoreboard ticked over the first points of the game.
Messy play from both sides saw scrums consume the middle of the of the first half, until Haywards Heath decided to make their first visit to the OH 22. The iron wall defence we’ve shown all season popped up again, followed by a good kick and chase from Ethan, and OH survived, clearing their lines and earning a line out 60 metres up field.
Then it began, a victim in my own skin, the ref hunted me down and bullied me. I repeat, BULLIED me! Nothing else to be said on the matter, I’ve said my peace and dealt with the press. I’ll say to you as I said to them, I’ll see him in court. Date TBC.
With the second half came the spark of energy OH needed. A gift from the gods. A tickle on your nutsack from a Montenegrin Brass. The man, the myth, the legend that is Matt Williamson! 2 swift passes in our own 22 saw Willie beat 5 defenders on an 80 metre run. Extra 2 added again and OH started to feel they had a foothold on this game.
Moments later, slick play down the right hand wing and Johnny Par went over for the OH 3rd try. Haywards Heath simultaneously dropped their heads. They knew it curtains. The best they could hope for was a gift left in the changing rooms from OH, some skid mark stained under pants from a team who are on a path to Twickenham Glory and will not be stopped at any cost.
A well drilled line out, and 8 forwards got white line fever, drove the OH boys over for a 4th from about 20 metres out. Unsure who the scorer was but this was a proper team effort. This surely was the final nail in the coffin, or was it… A debut of dreams meant that Sean Bondonno’s tidy footwork put him over the line for a brilliant solo try.
So do yourselves a favour, watch the Veo, get behind this team, and let’s go and win this F***ing Cup.
Heart and Wings
Sonny
MOTM - Johnny Par
DOTD - Sonny Kelly (victim)
Debutants:
Sean Bondonno
Rory Dickinson