Ending a sequence of defeats in September, Old Dunstonians put in a strong display against Aylesford Bulls to put a rare smile on long serving club secretary Anthony Proctor’s face. The Doc, who has weathered many an OD storm as player and administrator, probably feared the worst as his team served up a nail biting finish against lowly Aylesford, who, despite an erratic performance, needed only a converted to try in the last 10 minutes to earn an improbable draw.
While the Old Boys’ attacking game functioned well enough throughout the match, defensive lapses managed to keep their opponents interested when, really, the game should have been easily put away long before the final whistle. Doc, of course, has seen it all before, but was keeping his social media audience on tenterhooks as he reported the changing fortunes of a match in which neither side could really establish control.
It was Dunstonians, however, who set the early pace with some driving play that established good attacking positions in the opposition half. The result was a fine opening try with just 4 minutes gone by improving winger Jamal Gobir, who outpaced the Aylesford defence to touch down and allow Mike Ubee to easily convert into seven points. Despite an Aylesford penalty in reply, Dunstonians continued to exert pressure and create the opportunity for debutant Lee McCarthy to cut inside and score unopposed under the sticks. McCarthy, who ran some strong lines throughout the game, also displayed some polished off loading skills to bring an extra dimension to the OD back play. The Old Boys front five looked a much tighter, more dynamic unit than in previous weeks despite an early injury scare to Jack Sanchez at tighthead prop. New recruit George Hart had an impressive first game, literally in the middle of everything and the whole pack was able to play front foot rugby because of better set piece possession.
Doc’s confidence was rocked when Aylesford responded with two converted tries exposing a lack of defensive commitment and, at times, ineffective tackling by the visitors, but optimism returned, coming up to the halftime whistle, when OD’s again showed their attacking flare wide out. Gobir went in for his second score while a stunning solo effort from Malachi Connolly was worth the entrance fee alone (though actually there was no charge to get in).
The second half was a tighter, more tense affair, where both sides retreated into their respective shells and resorted to kick chase tactics rather than risk a more open game. Forward exchanges got a little testy with the Aylesford back row frustrating some of the OD plays and forcing errors which, simultaneously, crept into the scrums and lineouts. However, unlike previous weeks, the OD XV buckled down, kept cool and competitive, to play the game in fairly neutral territory. However, Aylesford closed the gap to 4 points with a strong forward effort, surging over the try line from a lineout. As time began to run out, some close penalty misses quickened Doc’s heart rate. Mike Ubee’s 70th minute penalty, following good work at the breakdown from the old boys back row trio, eased his rising blood pressure, but the final 10 minutes was going to be nervy. In fact, Doc need not have worried as Dunstonian’s produced their most composed period of the game, dominating possession and allowing half backs Andy Booth and Mike Ubee to dictate field position – they were camped in the Aylesford half when the final whistle sounded to end a match that was closer than it should have been.
The OD away win certainly rallied supporters’ spirits, and, as something resembling a smile crept across his face, clearly made Doc feelgood as well.
Congratulations to Lee McCarthy (man of the match), George Hart and Nick Keppe on their Ist XV debuts.