The ODs travelled down to Hastings & Bexhill missing a couple of key players, most notably Luka Perlain who was on international duty for Croatia against Malta, in which he scored a valuable try. The side were still buoyant from the win the previous week which put them back on the right path to a top two finish and promotion.
The weather was almost ideal for a game of rugby football. The rain had held up, the sun was out and the pitch firm. The only thing that could have an effect on the match was a strong crosswind that, according to the locals, was actually quite mild. The ODs started off going down the slight slope with the sun in their eyes. From receiving the kick off the Old Boys set the early pace of the game. With early pressure from their opponents, in the forwards and backs, the ball was turned over and Graham Purdy made a strong darting run in the centres making 30m and forcing Hastings & Bexhill to infringe winning a penalty. Kicking to touch and forming a rolling maul from the line-out the ODs were awarded another penalty for an opposing player entering the maul from the side. Another kick to the corner and another line-out, this one a quick ball off the top and spread to the centre of the park. Aaron Brown collected the ball at pace and looked a dead certainty in crossing the try line but for a rare stumble. A scrambled off-load to Brad Pugh and he was over for the first try of the match on the third minute, converted by Chad Reay. 0-7
A great start and the ODs could feel that an easy win was infront of them. This couldn't be further from the truth. The ODs had some strong possession with strong running in the back line but, for the third week running, their own silly mistakes and errors prevented the score board from ticking over, Malachi Connolly coming the closest to scoring.
Possession started to swing towards Hastings & Bexhill but the ODs pushed on looking to up their tally. After some strong pick and goes the pack won a penalty for opposition players offside at the break down. With no inroads being made a shot at goal was chosen. The kick by Chad Reay seemed to be a good one but, getting caught in the cross wind, strayed off course and hit the post.
Scrum time proved to be another challenge. In the first scrum the OD pack was pushed back and a repeat of last weeks scrummaging problems was developing. Hastings & Bexhill had their own shot at 3 points, missed, but this was the start of the their comeback into the game. The resulting 22 drop out was blocked and Hastings & Bexhill pounced, only being stopped short by some stern defence, the whistle finally being blown after the Referee was caught up in the action himself. A scrum 5m out and hearts were in mouths for OD supporters. The number 8 picked up but was stopped short. The Old Boys turned over the ball and were tackled into touch. A strong rolling maul from the line-out ended up as a penalty for Hastings & Bexhill. With their dominance upfront they elected for the scrum. Pushing the ODs back with ease another penalty was awarded to Hasting & Bexhill for a broken bind in the back row. Another elected scrum with the same outcome, this leaving the Referee no choice. He awarded a penalty try which was converted. 7-7
Both sides at this point tried to dominate the game only succeeding in cancelling each other out with needless penalty after penalty. The ODs started to play away from their strengths, out wide, and keep it within the centre of the park. Luckily they were not penalised for this mistake and no more points were conceded. The half-time whistle came at a much needed time for a rethink on how to play the game out.

The wind in the second half had picked up and with clouds closing in the light and temperature dropped. The ODs half time talk seemed to take effect, the ball being spread wide Kevin Ilo coming close to scoring. With eight minutes into the half Graham Purdy put a huge hit on his opposite number, who had tried to jump the tackle, forcing a knock on that fell at Aaron Brown's feet. The pacy winger scooped up the ball, slipped past three tackling defenders and outpaced the rest of the defence with a 60m run to score under the posts for a converted try. The ODs were back in the lead. 7-14
Even with the rising confidence of the score the silly mistakes from the ODs still kept coming, knock ons and penalties being conceded after some great play, frustrating the side causing more mistakes. With the opposition dominating in the scrum this was causing some worrying moments with their own scoring chances only being stopped by strong OD defence.
On 70 minutes Hasting & Bexhill levelled the score. An attempted intercept in the centres from the number 11 was marginally knocked on. Even with cries from the Old Boy's support on the touch line the Referee still missed the infringement. The ODs were caught flat footed with appeals to the Referee leaving the winger to run 40m pretty much uncontested for a try under the posts. With the wind blowing strongly there was hope that the kick would go amiss. The conversion was ugly but through the uprights. 14-14
From the kick-off the frustration from the ODs finally boiled over. A scrappy ruck, the ball on the floor, led to some confusion. The Referee broke up the the two sides and reached for his pocket. When his hand reappeared it was brandishing a red card in the direction of Slavi Gumushian. The opposition were claiming a kick to the head. Slavi pleading his innocence and even the Hastings & Bexhill coach agreed that the Referee had made a mistake. A hearing will decide Slavi's punishment.
With the ODs down to 14 men and Lee Smith being substituted after his earlier stint, his neck still not fully recovering from his ongoing injury, the scrums went uncontested. Both sides went for the win, the ODs coming out on top. On the 75th minute, after exchanging possession, the ODs found themselves with the ball. Interchanges between Brad Pugh and Chad Reay resulted in a final ball to Malachi Connolly. With Aaron Brown scoring earlier in the match Connolly was now one try down in the race for top try scorer of the season and determined to level it up. Skipping past his opposite number he outpaced the defence in front of him. With only the full back to beat he stepped inside, striding 60m, to score a great try under the posts, equalling Brown's try count, putting the ODs back in the lead. Chad Reay slotting the extra two. 14-21
With thoughts of closing the game down the ODs went back on the attack. Hastings and Bexhill's defence held strong but showing no signs of a counter attack. The clock was run down and the whistle went for full time.

Hastings and Bexhill still sit in a relegation spot but from this performance it seems to be undeserved. They put up a formidable challenge and their luck will surely change as the season goes on. The ODs still have a lot of areas to improve on to become more clinical and the set piece still needs a lot of work to fend off attacks from forward dominated sides. They can take solace in this game even though they didn't play to their best. The four points was secured and the overall mission for promotion still on target.

Next week there is no fixture with it being a designated cup weekend. The next league match is on the 15th November against Pulborough at home. They now sit three places below us in the league but, as this fixture shows, where a side sits in the league is no sign of their quality. We hope to see as many of you there as possible to cheers the boys on.