This week’s fixture saw the 1s make the long journey to the east Midlands to face one of our two Northampton based opponents this season – the first time we have played this club before.
After a 2 hour journey filled with enlightening back of the coach conversation, we pulled in at Old Northamptonians to find storm Austen had well and truly arrived.
Wet and windy conditions did not appear to constrain ON’s early on as they moved the ball around nicely in the first 10 minutes. As a reward, OCs sportingly allowed them a 12-0 lead.
After this passage of play, the game levelled out and became the scrappy one we all expected, punctuated by all sorts of handling errors and many scrums.
This, however, worked in our favour as it turns out our front row is pretty mustard. They won a scrum penalty against the head deep inside ON’s territory. The combination of J.Amor, AOM and Dan Hepden meant the latter crashed over the line from short range after a quick tap penalty to begin the OCs fight back. 12-7.
Good work at the breakdown and a big boot from Napper meant OCs were straight back in the ONs 22.
Continued set piece and close quarters dominance meant Dylan was able to bundle over the line and with Napper adding the extras, OCs were in front, 12-14.
Some ONs pressure towards the end of the half was held out nicely by the OCs forwards again winning another penalty at the breakdown, and following a challenging game of kick tennis, Miles Jones was able to secure a nice territory game with his boot from fullback.
The second half began in much the same fashion as the first half ended, knock ons and set pieces. Not a problem for the OCs forwards then, who continued their dominance by winning a penalty for Napper right in front of the posts. To keep ONs in the game, Napper put this kick towards the corner flag, and the opposition were able to secure a monster 50-22 and get right back in to our half early on.
OCs just about weathered this storm, and brought on the bench to help see out the game. Quick and physical carries from the forwards allowed Dylan enough space around the ruck to pick his line and go in under the posts from just inside their 22. Napper got this kick from in front of the posts making the score 12-21 with 15 minutes or so to go.
Game over? Not quite.
ONs were straight back in our half and put in a daring cross field kick which resulted in a try out wide. 17-21.
To make things fun, Seb (who had kicked well all day), handed the ball back to the opposition with 30 seconds left on the clock. ONs duly fought their way up the field into our 22. Only a lengthy arm from Dylan in the line out was able to secure a steal and allow the game to end.
A big win for the road warriors. Notable mentions to returning Miles Jones at Fullback who kicked and carried well in challenging conditions and all the forwards for their efforts in the set piece and close contact areas. Dele AgoriEGO too, completing another 80 minutes.
Dylan Enskat eventually putting the game to bed for us wind MoTM though.
#onesgetitdone
