1st XV Report Sat 31st October

Another Saturday afternoon started off with an away trip to Tranent for the match against Ross High on a blustery, sunny afternoon. Our troops were not egged on by the bus trip as cars were required to whisk them back to OA for some apple dooking!

The team looked focused on the task ahead after Gordy "aka Ninja" Reid scored a fine support try after a touchline break against the elements, Thow had a bit of a hand in it too so touchline joy going 5 points up after 12 minutes. Not much else to speak about in the end of the first, or indeed the second quarters as both teams were evenly matched and the home side made good use of the wind and sloping pitch in the first half. A penalty drew the home side to 3 - 5 mid way through the half and around 35 minutes our midfield tried to be too clever firing balls out the line, allowing the home side to score a try, 10 - 5. Towards the end of the first half we were awarded a penalty in the opposition 22 duly slotted by Chippy, score 10 - 8 at half time.

The travelling support were full of anticipation in the second half due to the stiffening breeze and playing down hill. Delight therefore when Rory MacCormack scored within a couple of minutes of the restart. 10 - 15. Thereafter not much between both sides although we indulged in poor tactical kicking failed to make touch from penalties on several occasions. We couldn't capture the form of previous weeks in scoring more points from what was often good possession. Over the game Chippy at stand off had to deal with not too tidy ball which also put us under pressure.

The forwards stuck at it against a heavier pack and a penalty kicked at the start of the last quarter secured a victory at 10 - 18. An effective if not too thrilling afternoon and useful away points.

VP

Team as follows

15 D Whyte; 14 J Shannon; 13 C Breckenridge; 12 D Hoffman; 11 R Love; 10 S O¹Donnell; 9 A Shedden; 1 A Forbes; 2 G Reid; 3 M Tuominen; 4 A Drummond; 5 H Parker; 6 A Neilson; 7 A McTavish; 8 E Thow
Subs R MacCormack, C McLay, C Sorlie

This article was posted on 3-Nov-2009, 20:48 by Hugh Barrow.