OD hopes lifted despite defeat

OD’s provided a thrilling finish to this game to get within one score of high flying Lewes. Though the Sussex visitors thoroughly deserved their win, if they had deprived their hosts of a bonus point it would have been a travesty.
With 70 minutes gone, the Sussex side were sitting on a comfortable 16 point lead and pressing hard for a fifth try. The uncompromising Lewes pack had been driving forward for most of the game but an organised OD defence and effective line out had kept the old boys in contention. In fact, they led at half time thanks to two penalties and a blistering opening try from winger Jamal Gobir. From deep in their own half, OD’s turned defence into attack as Sam Hampson came off his wing on an arcing run to break the Lewes line and provide what turned out to be a scoring pass. Still with plenty to do, Gobir ‘s 60 metre run to outpace the opposition will surely be a contender for try of the season, which in-form kicker Mike Ubee converted for a 13-5 lead after half an hour. Frustratingly, OD’s continue to switch off at vital periods of the game which allows opponents to stay in touch and recover their composure. Weak tackling gifted Lewes a try before the break and brought them straight back into the game. The irony is that it is the OD defence that has improved most, but they are still vulnerable to counter attack in broken play. Lewes’ first try was a rather scrappy affair with their big forwards peeling off a maul from short range.
However, the stage was set for a competitive second half which looked like a contest between the heavier, driving Lewes pack and the sharper OD three quarter line. With replacement Chris Pecorella adding some experience to the front row, the OD scrummage settled to its task and the pack put together some effective carries and dynamic rucks. Lewes, however, still dominated possession and were next to score with a simple penalty. Pressure built and a wave of forward surges eventually confounded the OD defensive alignment and a three man overlap wasn’t even needed for them to score another converted try. A fourth, tackle breaking try followed under the posts, testing OD’s resolve and physical appetite for what was a bruising encounter, requiring all the replacements to be used. Seemingly unassailable, the Lewes forwards continued to batter OD defenders and threaten another score. Desperately needing to respond, the OD’s then came up with a level of skill, accuracy and confidence that belies their lowly league position.
Firstly on 78 minutes, scrum half Andy Booth put Jamal Gobir away on the short side to, once again, beat his man and run in from 60 metres. If that was not good enough, in injury time, the home side then served up a wonderful try full of invention and precision. From deep in their 22, replacement back Danny Carter defied the odds from in front of his posts and threw a long pass to Andy Booth, who set off down the left touchline. As the cover came across, Jamal Gobir ran around his scrum half for the pass but looked destined to end up in touch. Instead, the canny half back smartly switched the ball inside to Hampson whose deft footwork and searing pace left Lewes defenders trailing. Ubee’s conversion was the last kick of the match but it was OD’s who finished the stronger.
Coach Phil Ubee was delighted with the performance: “There’s enough from this match to build on and ensure a successful second half of the season. The forwards played with much more purpose and authority in possession and we saw exactly what our backs can do with a decent supply of ball”, he said after the game. “We were tested in the second half and could easily have conceded more points but I was delighted with our resourcefulness and execution at the end of a very physical contest. We can go forward from here with confidence and ambition” he added.
Man of the Match: Michael Ubee – for all round assurance and great game management. Excellent tactical kicking and organisation in attack and defence.