We welcomed Tiffinians to Horn Park for the first time, they are currently place in 6th position, so we
knew it was going to be a tough game. After confusion about the kick off time, both teams had
reason to want to prove a point on the pitch.
OC’s buoyed by the return of Tom Rameaux (suspected gout) & Jed Wylie (chronic cramp) started
the match in the ascendancy. We spoke all week about converting possession into points and we
were able to do that after a period of play in the 22, Dele made a great line off Napper to score to
the left of the posts. The conversion made to make the score 7-0. OC’s continued to apply pressure
in the right areas of the pitch resulting in scoring opportunities. We kicked to the corner and with a
well worked lineout drill, we managed to set up a driving maul with Freddie Holland-Oliver touching
down for the score out wide. Napper slotted the conversion to make the score 14-0.
In typical OC’s fashion, we decided to give Tiffinians opportunities to get into the game. OC’s
defended valiantly in their own 22 but a well worked move off 10 allowed the outside centre to dot
down to make the score 14-7. Tiffinians continued to apply pressure in our own half and we weren’t
able to clear our lines effectively enough. An unnecessary penalty for not rolling away gave Tiffinians
the opportunity to close the gap to 14-10. Not much else happened in the half but we went into HT
with plenty of positives to take.
The second half started in emphatic fashion. After a well worked defensive set, we worked our way
into the opposition’s half. Freddie Holland-Oliver took the ball to the line and gave a great pass to
Dele running at pace (for once) who caught it (for once) and proceeded to motor at speed towards
the line. The full back for fear of his life operated the Jack Potter defensive policy and let Dele go in
untouched from 40 metres out. Pandemonium ensued as Dele scored his 2nd best try for the club
(nothing will beat Camberley). Celebrations turned to concern that Dele wouldn’t get back to his feet
after running his longest distance in 5 years. Needing not to worry, Dele rose up quickly to much
applause after scoring a very memorable try. The conversion was somehow missed by Charlie Nagel,
the score now 19-10. OC’s were again in the ascendancy and after great work from AOM, Nagel &
Jed from our own 22, we were apply pressure in attack as a result of strong carries from Bill
Ramdhan and Freddie Holland-Oliver. Conor Gray charging round the corner took the pass from Jed
and bulldozed over to score his 5 th try for the season, taking him top of the try scoring tally. The
regulation conversion was somehow missed again. Score now 24-10.
Almost a complete repeat of the first half, Tiffinians got themselves back into the game with a well
worked try making the score 24-17 with the successful conversion. This meant a very nervy 5
minutes for the supporters on the sideline. Credit must be given to the players who managed to
close the game out effectively despite playing with 13 men at the end.
Standout performances across the park but MOTM went to fan favourite Dele, very well deserved
for his fantastic 80 minute performance.
A well deserved win for OC’s, hopefully providing a real confidence boost ahead of two very
important games against Dartfordians & Gravesend.
