A well earned victory
The annual match between the 1st XV and the Old Arnoldians proved to be another fierce and entertaining encounter. After losing last year, the OAs were out for revenge and with a squad featuring a fine mix of talent and ages, it was clear they meant business.
The OAs made a superb start to score the only try of the match in the first three minutes. Some good approach play saw Julian Richardson released out wide. He evaded two tackles until Chris Withers brought him down just short of the line but some impressive support by Wilf Whittle resulted in a try and a 5-0 lead for the OAs. The OAs had a very youthful side out in the first half with recent leavers Liam Hill, Tim Maguire, Jonathan Wells, Tom Horam, Julian Richardson and John Ashcroft all taking part.
However, this early set back did not deter the 1st XV and they responded in fine fashion. The forwards, despite being far lighter than their opponents, started to compete on an even footing in the contact areas and this gave half-backs, Chris Withers and Ben Perkins, a chance to find some intelligent field positions. A penalty by Perkins reduced the deficit to 5-3 and a further penalty, after good approach play by Freddie Priestley, put the 1st XV 6-5 ahead.
Freddie was enjoying the 'Priestley Battle' against his older brother, Edward, and Harry McNulty was supporting him extremely well in both attack and defence. However, it was Chris Withers who was lighting up the afternoon with some darting breaks around the base of the rucks. One such break had the OAs back pedalling and another penalty gave the 1st XV a 9-5 lead at the break.
The OAs started the seond half in a similar fashion to the way they began the match and only ferocious defence by Dewi Morgan, George Worthington and Ben Nowell kept them out. The OAs continued to press with Jonny Wild at the heart of many of their attacks, but the tackling by the 1st XV seemed to get better and better as the match progressed. Joe Blanthorn, Tom Armfield, Kevin Wan, Tom Fox and Mark Roper seemed to be everywhere and they simply refused to take a backward step despite the constant surges by the OAs.
Nick Costello was working well with Joe Cornthwaite and Mr Evans as the Tracey brothers half-back pairing started playing a more territorial/kicking type match, but Ben Perkins matched them kick for kick to put Ed Mahon and John Embelton under pressure deep in their own 22.
With minutes remaining, a fourth Perkins penalty put the 1st XV 12-5 ahead. Some tactical substitutions then saw the OAs completely change their tactics with driving maul after driving maul edging them closer to the 1st XV try line with Jasper and Tim Barrett to the fore. The OAs must wonder how the match could have panned out had they used this tactic earlier after the school was reprieved only by some last-ditch tackling and a knock on.
The 1st XV held out for a famous 12-5 victory and both sets of players should be congratulated for the manner in which they played the game and for the entertainment given to a very healthy crowd.
Posted by:
M L Evans
Date: Monday 29/03/2010
