Following a strong performance at Thanet the previous week, Old Colfieans looked to continue their form when returning to Horne Park where they welcomed Beccehamian’s.
Since a close fought fixture earlier in the season, Beccehamians had fallen down the London SE 2 table, however, OC’s knew that with a number of strong ball carriers and threats at the breakdown a stern test would await them.
Following Storm Dennis 7 days before, Storm Ciara provided similar playing conditions for a much unchanged OC’s line-up.
With the wind at their backs, OC’s made a lively start to the game and with direct ball carrying and patience on the ball, found themselves within the oppositions 22 and forcing a mistake to be awarded a scrum in strong field position. Dominance in the scrum allowed AOM to pick from the base and accelerate down the blind side, with options out wide AOM threw the dummy and cruised in for the first try if the day. Returning to kicking duties, Jack ‘the Slotter’ Potter duly obliged with the extras.
7-0
Hoping to extend their lead further, OC’s soon found themselves pinned within their own half and scrambling in defence, as the away sides sizeable balls carriers made inroads into the OC’s D-line. A sustained period of pressure followed with Beccehamians crashing over the OC’s line. Storm Ciara pushing the ball wide of the uprights. Conversions missed.
7-5
OC’s were swift to respond with more strong ball carrying from the forwards allowing the potent OC’s back line to spring into action. A flowing move, with the ball moving slickly through the hands saw Ross Gladdish dot down in the corner. Once again Slotter is on the money to add the 2 from out wide.
14-5
Once again, any hope of building a sizeable lead was halted by yet more physical ball carrying by the away team. With OC’s on the back foot and weathering the endless waves of maroon and white, Beccehamians went for the killer blow with a pass out wide hoping to find the hands of the winger. However, Gladdish having other ideas shot out of the line collecting the interception and making off down the touch line like a stabbed rat. Having made the half way line with relative ease, the centre soon found himself treading water and looking for support. Crowd favourite Estefan Ellis answered the call, appearing on the inside to take the reigns and dot down for OC’s third try of the game. Potter unable to convert.
19-5
This seemed to be somewhat of a changing point in the game, with OC’s starting to assert dominance around the park. Through the guidance of Josh Doughty at 9 and Will ‘Jiggy’ Smith at 10, the back line continued to asks questions of the Beccehamians defence. With Strong carries from Alex Verisimo and Angus Dalgleish punching holes in the oppositions line, OC’s once again found themselves with a scrum 5m from the line. The formidable front row of Ladi, Rameaux and COM provided the go forward, supported by the two powerhouses in Fred the Vet and Westy in the row. The Becs scrum retreated at a rate of knots and dispersed, leaving the ref no option but to award the penalty try.
26-5
OC’s started the second half similar to the first, slick hands down the line seeing Este cross over with a classy finish to pick up his second try of the afternoon. Would he get his hat trick? Kicking into the teeth of the storm Potter failed to make the distance and OC’s left with just the 5 points.
31-5
With the bonus point secured the game seemed to stall somewhat. OC’s continued to probe the oppositions defensive line with strong carries from AOM, FTV, COM and Ladi upfront and the constant threat out wide from Varissimo, Gladdish and Ellis in the back line. However it took until the 61st minute mark when OC’s found themselves with another scrum in decent field position to add to the lead. Once again, Sugar Andy’O picking from the base and making a charge for the line, the defence learning from their previous mistake were quick to close down the big man. However, not just a one trick pony, AOM showed a slight of hand and released Josh Castle Doughty into a gap with the No.9 cantering in for OC’s 6th try of the game. Once again, the wind pushed Potters conversion attempt wide.
36-5
With minutes remaining on the clock and a bonus point secured it was job done for OC’s however the boys weren’t finished yet. Another well worked move saw Ellis cross for his third of the game with a spectacular diving finish. Surely after securing the hat trick Trev would be going home with the prolific wingman. Conversion missed.
FINAL SCORE 41-5
All in all a great day at the office for OC’s. A Bonus point win seeing the Horne Park men rack up 5 points for their league campaign, in conditions which could have easily scuppered plans for a high scoring affair.
Next week OC’s head to the south coast for a date with Hove. Following a recently dip in form Hove will be looking to get their season back on track with a strong performance. OC’s must be on their mettle if they are to return from the seaside with 5 points.
