OG Rugby Club
After a successful summer of training, the Old Georgians 1st XV set off up the A3 for an historic day as they prepared to play their opening game in Surrey Conference 1. Their opposition was the much vaunted Old Blues 2nd XV, who won this league last year and whose 1st XV had won three consecutive promotions. Moreover, the nascent OGRFC stood in stark contrast to the depth of history enjoyed by the Old Blues, which reached as far back as the end of the 19th century. At face value, this fixture would appear to be a tough opening gambit into league rugby against an experienced and talented opposition. However, a combination of decent preparation, a strong squad and a healthy mix of nerves and excitement, meant the Old Georgian outfit appeared confident of achieving success.
With a healthy band of supporters watching on, the early stages of the game were played at a frenetic pace and within 10 minutes the OGs found themselves 0-7 down. The Old Blues backs and forwards combined well to create the opportunity and the opening signs were a little unnerving. However, a bone crunching tackle from Will Pipe seemed to muster the boys and after some good continuity between the OG’s back row and half backs, Old Blues were penalised for slowing the ball at the breakdown. Alex Willis calmly slotted the penalty to take the score to 3-7.
Soon after, a nasty injury to Ciaran Pillay saw the introduction of Will Colville at scrum half. This substitution reduced the average age of the team to under 22, with four of the starting XV from the highly successful SGC 2011 1st XV. As the pace of the game remained frenetic until half time, the significantly younger OG’s backs and back row began to cut Old Blues to ribbons. Unfortunately, a lack of composure at vital moments resulted in the final pass going astray in three excellent openings. With the half time whistle due though, Old Georgian frustration would be relieved as a quick lineout deep in the opposition half allowed the captain Jimmy Pipe to run in unopposed under the sticks. Eoghan Sweeney duly landed the conversion and the OG’s went into half time 7-10 to the good.
The second half saw the OG’s continue the momentum of the final stages of the first half and gradually turn the screw on the opposition. The combination of excellent physicality around the ruck area from Pipe, Irons and Reed with intelligent kicking and distribution from Willis, allowed Grant, Sweeney Jnr and Darroch to run devastatingly through the Old Blues defence. Some powerful running from Gray, Barlow and then Reed saw the latter go in under the posts. Willis was successful with a simple conversion to take the OG’s 7-17 ahead.
The solid back-line defence of Gray, Pipe Jnr, Harris and (to everyone’s amazement) Willis saw the Old Blues get knocked back time after time. From one such great piece of defence, the OG’s backs released Will Grant who scythed through the opposition to score clinically in the corner. Willis executed perfectly a difficult conversion extending the lead to 7-24 with only 20 minutes remaining.
Although the majority of the second half saw the OGs on the front foot producing good attacking play, it was almost as enjoyable seeing the OG’s defend their line in the last 10 minutes with some heroic tackling. One particularly memorable tackle saw Joel Jeffery stopping an almost certain try as the final whistle was fast approaching.
Thankfully the team did hold out a wave of Old Blues attacks keeping the final score to 7-24. It was an excellent victory in both performance and result that will hopefully pave the way for a highly successful season. Reflecting on the game in its entirety, there are two noteworthy performances. A mammoth effort from Wheeler, Fanning and Georgiou in the front row needs a particularly special mention, as against a much bigger opposition they had to work hard for the whole match, more than holding their own.
The final word however, must be for the coach, Neil Sweeney. Neil has devoted himself tirelessly to training this team over last summer and his knowledge and experience has been invaluable. His enthusiasm was evident throughout the entire game and we look forward to the team progressing further under Neil’s mentoring. A great start to the new season and long may it continue!
Squad for the day:
Georgiou, Fanning, Wheeler, Stanley, Douglas, Garty, Pipe J, Reed, Irons, Sweeney E, Colville, Pillay, Willis, Gray, Darroch, Grant, Jeffery, Barlow, Harris.
