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Sat 04 Nov 2017 · London 3 South East
Aylesford Bulls
1st XV
18
25
Bulls dance to Dunstonian tune
Colin Sinclair9 Nov 2017 - 13:49
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League leaders toppled as OD winning run continues
Hours before Anton du Beke’s triumphant Pasadoble last Saturday, Old Dunstonians choreographed their own matador routine to subdue and then dispatch the previously unbeaten Aylesford Bulls. In the partisan Jack Williams arena, where spectators have enjoyed winning rugby this season, neither side truly dominated for any length of time, but it was Dunstonians who brought the defensive resolve and flashes of attacking brilliance that were enough to see off a deflated Bulls fifteen, devoid of energy and ideas in the final quarter. Complacency may also have played a part as the home side took an early seven point lead, courtesy of some weak tackling following an easy turnover.
However, with increasingly secure lifts in the lineout and stronger shaping in the scrums, neither possession nor territory seemed to be an issue for Dunstonians as they got themselves into the game with a Ubee penalty. Despite settling well into their practised routines, both with and without the ball, the visitors once again showed their vulnerability to the counter attack, conceding another long range try from a loose kick, which was finished off by the strong running Aylesford No 8. In truth, there was not much to choose between the two sides as the game entered a period of scrappy forward play and limited penetration from both sets of backs but it was Old Dunstonians who emerged first from the impasse. Better forward synchronicity at last brought an overlap opportunity for the backs to exploit. Quick stepping winger Rory Palmer did well to take a high pass and show his opposite number a clean pair of heels and toes. Despite missing the conversion, Mike Ubee then obliged with a more difficult penalty kick soon after that took the score to 12-11 at half time with everything to play for.
Marking the improvement made this year, the Langley Park side ratcheted up the pressure in the second half, understanding the limitations of the home side once their forward momentum had stalled. By and large, this is exactly what happened for the rest of the game as Dunstonians became stronger in the tackle and plugged their defensive gaps at the breakdown, with the back row of Jefferys, Grayson and Oddy setting the standard. Soon after the break, OD’s took the initiative with a stunning try involving forwards and backs that saw the improving Jamal Gobir swivel his hips and waltz around some despairing tackles to touch down wide out and establish a 12-18 lead, thanks to Ubee’s splendid conversion. The strong replacement bench, another improvement indicator, mitigated the loss of Coombs, Jefferys and Mitchell and allowed Matt Payne, Sam Perry and Pete Colling to quickly stamp their mark on a game still very much in the balance. In fact, the league leaders predictably rallied to claw back the six-point deficit with two penalties, capitalising on a referee who, like Craig Revel-Horwood, was clearly unimpressed with OD techniques in hold. The contest rested on a knife edge and nobody wanted to go home.
Without hesitation, OD’s came straight back with some great kicks and flicks to camp on the Aylesford try line and mount an assault involving a series of relentless forward drives that seemed to drain the Bull’s pack, clearly unused to such sustained pressure. It was the rumbustious Colling that finished off the pick and drive sequence with a well-deserved try, to which Ubee added the extras.
And so, to the dance off in which OD’s had to defend their slim lead in the final minutes as judges from both camps looked anxiously on from the touchline. The final whistle came with OD’s comfortably in control and worthy winners over eighty minutes, during which they had taken their opportunities and forced the opposition into a wider game that they didn’t really want to play. By the end, the Bull’s could do no more though this certainly won’t have been their final dance. As for the OD’s, the challenge is to improve every week and keeeep winning!
OD Scorers:
Tries Palmer, Gobir, Colling
Conversions Ubee (2)
Penalties Ubee (2)
Man of the Match: Unsung hero Phil Grayson who’s tackling and intelligent running was at the heart of a great team effort. His first up defence and ability to always be close to the ball was outstanding.
However, with increasingly secure lifts in the lineout and stronger shaping in the scrums, neither possession nor territory seemed to be an issue for Dunstonians as they got themselves into the game with a Ubee penalty. Despite settling well into their practised routines, both with and without the ball, the visitors once again showed their vulnerability to the counter attack, conceding another long range try from a loose kick, which was finished off by the strong running Aylesford No 8. In truth, there was not much to choose between the two sides as the game entered a period of scrappy forward play and limited penetration from both sets of backs but it was Old Dunstonians who emerged first from the impasse. Better forward synchronicity at last brought an overlap opportunity for the backs to exploit. Quick stepping winger Rory Palmer did well to take a high pass and show his opposite number a clean pair of heels and toes. Despite missing the conversion, Mike Ubee then obliged with a more difficult penalty kick soon after that took the score to 12-11 at half time with everything to play for.
Marking the improvement made this year, the Langley Park side ratcheted up the pressure in the second half, understanding the limitations of the home side once their forward momentum had stalled. By and large, this is exactly what happened for the rest of the game as Dunstonians became stronger in the tackle and plugged their defensive gaps at the breakdown, with the back row of Jefferys, Grayson and Oddy setting the standard. Soon after the break, OD’s took the initiative with a stunning try involving forwards and backs that saw the improving Jamal Gobir swivel his hips and waltz around some despairing tackles to touch down wide out and establish a 12-18 lead, thanks to Ubee’s splendid conversion. The strong replacement bench, another improvement indicator, mitigated the loss of Coombs, Jefferys and Mitchell and allowed Matt Payne, Sam Perry and Pete Colling to quickly stamp their mark on a game still very much in the balance. In fact, the league leaders predictably rallied to claw back the six-point deficit with two penalties, capitalising on a referee who, like Craig Revel-Horwood, was clearly unimpressed with OD techniques in hold. The contest rested on a knife edge and nobody wanted to go home.
Without hesitation, OD’s came straight back with some great kicks and flicks to camp on the Aylesford try line and mount an assault involving a series of relentless forward drives that seemed to drain the Bull’s pack, clearly unused to such sustained pressure. It was the rumbustious Colling that finished off the pick and drive sequence with a well-deserved try, to which Ubee added the extras.
And so, to the dance off in which OD’s had to defend their slim lead in the final minutes as judges from both camps looked anxiously on from the touchline. The final whistle came with OD’s comfortably in control and worthy winners over eighty minutes, during which they had taken their opportunities and forced the opposition into a wider game that they didn’t really want to play. By the end, the Bull’s could do no more though this certainly won’t have been their final dance. As for the OD’s, the challenge is to improve every week and keeeep winning!
OD Scorers:
Tries Palmer, Gobir, Colling
Conversions Ubee (2)
Penalties Ubee (2)
Man of the Match: Unsung hero Phil Grayson who’s tackling and intelligent running was at the heart of a great team effort. His first up defence and ability to always be close to the ball was outstanding.
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