PJF 6 - 52 OHS

Match Report – Old Haileyburians RFC v Purley John Fisher 1st XV – 15th March 2023

Another Dominant 2nd half display by the OH 1st XV

In a classic OH performance the 1st XV continued their winning street, now at 19, to set up a memorable day at Ruxley Lane on the 23rd March.

On a grey and dreary day the 1st XV started in typical fashion, slow out the blocks and building up a good penalty count to put themselves under considerable pressure. The first 10 minutes was all out defending, backs against the tryline and managing to keep a physical PJF team to just the 3 points. Some too and fro between set pieces and penalties settled the game into a nice rhythm, and with threating attacks from both wingers, Luke Wright and Ethan Mead it wasn’t long until OH got on the scoreboard, with a nicely worked set piece play and heads up rugby saw Harry Shields carry 40m to give a try on a plate for Man of the Match Jonny Searle. PJF 3-5 OH.

One try brought two, with a swift exit from the boot of Dan Blackwell followed up by him securing a turnover penalty. The forwards did their thing from 10m out, with an explosive maul and Tom Wright getting his name on the scoresheet once again. A good conversion by Searle made the score PJF 3-12-OH.

With the OH’s feeling more settled and at ease in the game, the classic expansive quick style of play started to emerge, opting to run the ball more through the likes of Joey Salim and Searle out the back. A resilient PJF team continued to test the OH’s however, preventing phases to grow and forcing crucial turnovers when the attack looked likely to strike. Jack Kelly shined as a breakdown technician, putting his head into places where only a Welshman would, alleviating pressure when PJF looked threatening close to the OH line.

At the 30 minute mark momentum was building, some physical running from Luke Wright down the left wing saw him set up a brilliant third try. The space, initially spotted by Charlie Spilsbury off a turnover saw him accelerate into the PJF 22. Ignoring an east left handed pass to Blackwell and instead opting for a 15m miss pass to Wright who bulldozed his way through two PJF players, only to tackle himself short of the lane and give Blackwell the walk-in try he deserved. PJF 3-17 OH.

A penalty conceded at the restart in front of the posts gave PJF another chance to add to their score, PJF 6 – 19 OH. With the end of the first half approaching, some good attacking structure gave the OH’s a lineout on the PJF 22 to secure the bonus point with the first 40 minutes. A nicely executed backs move after a strong maul saw Ethan Mead go over in the right hand corner, and with Searle slotting the touchline conversion, half time score stood at PJF 6 – 26 OH.

The second half started with some strong attacking intent from PJF, testing the OH defence and discipline for a solid 15 minutes. After withstanding a tough start to the second half, the pressure was eventually relieved after forcing a knock-on and the scrum providing the platform to release the valve.

After a scoreless first 20 minutes of the 2nd half, the OH’s found the try line once again. A line out steal led to quick ball against a disorganised PJF defence which allowed Sam McCafferty to step and jink his way through to go over, making an immediate impact off the bench. Searle provided the additional 2. PJF 6 – 33 OH.

A good exit platform off the restart was set and gave the OHs a scrum at the halfway line, some slick hands in the backs resulted in a penalty that was slotted 5m out from the PJF line. A freekick for wrong numbers in the line saw some quick thinking from skipper Tom Wright to barrel over from 5m out. PJF 6 – 40 OH.

The 7th try came from the quick thinking Searle, a penalty advantage for a PJF deliberate knock on was gracefully swept up by the fleet footed fullback, who charged down the left wing. With the cover defence chasing him down, a majestic kick in field was gathered my Sam McCafferty who had the opportunity to walk it under the post for his 2nd of the match. But owing to his Welsh blood, his nations sloppy performance at the 6 nations and the impending defeat against a resurgent Italy, he knew it was about time to make some friends with the English, so graciously handed the ball off to yours truly. Try Hancock. PJF 6 – 45 OH.

PJF continued to fight, continually pressuring the OH line, forcing pens and mistakes and not letting up. It was only the solid hitting and relatively good discipline that repelled the strong carrying PJF forwards one more, forcing a knock on and allowing for a clearance into the PJF half. More pressure applied by PJF, more strong tackling and forced errors from the OH defence led up to a beaut of an OH try. A Tom Wright 30m pick and go from the scrum allowed for quick ball, fast hands and another Sam McCafferty score in the corner, finishing off an 85m team try. Searle with the touch line conversion made the score, PJF 6 – 52 OH.

A final 5 minutes of solid defence to withhold PJF to try-less game and scoreless second half finished off an impressive team performance against a side that has asked questions of us in the past.

A special mention must go out to Charles Stewart, coming into the first XV and going the full 80 minutes.

MOTM – Jonny Searle
DOTD – Archie Hancock

Tries:
Jonny Searle – 1
Tom Wright - 2
Dan Blackwell – 1
Ethan Mead – 1
Sam McCafferty – 2
Archie Hancock – 1

Conversions
Jonny Searle – 6

Up next…. The big one, the one we have been waiting for. OH v Old Ruts. Retired Players Annual Lunch, and early kick off for the 2nd XV friendly. A guaranteed huge crowd on the sideline to hopefully see OH take the No.1 position at the top of the league