It was perfect weather for rugby, mild and dry even though the temperature would drop considerably in the second half. Pulborough sat three places below the ODs in the league but as other contests with sides in the lower half this season prove, where they are positioned does not reflect on their quality as a side.
The ODs welcomed Luka Perlain back from international duty with Croatia, and his influence was greatly seen throughout the course of the game. Everyone was glad to see Andy Moody, the 1st XV physio, also with his boots on, willing to step up if he was needed.
The ODs started going down the hill and both sides were keen to assert their dominance on the game. Strong runs from Pulborough and punching runs for the ODs from the likes of Jean-Pierre Mills and Graham Purdy only being thwarted by the ODs eventually being driven back into touch. Play was brought back to the centre of the park for a penalty, Pulborough offside. Chad Reay was on kicking duty again and slotted the three points with confidence. 3-0
On the 8th minute luck was against the Old Boys, Luka Perlain had to depart the field for Lee Smith due to a neck injury. Luka would return later but so early on this had the touchline worried. The fist scrum came up soon after and, at an area of the game the ODs have struggled with in the previous weeks, everyone was pleased to see it hold firm. The scrums throughout the game were about even, both sides having opportunities to push their opposition off the ball. A big shout out must go to Jon Flook, stepping up at loose head for the third week running, and doing an outstanding job.
With both sides going at it full blast Pulborough finally crossed the line. With the opposition charging up field and stern OD defense a penalty was conceded. Pulborough kicked to touch and had a line out 5m out. A catch and drive saw the Pulborough hooker go over to score, converted well by their centre. 3-7
The ODs seemed out of sorts and lost their structure. Immediately from the restart Pulborough were back on the offensive. They kicked over the top into space and for once the safe hands of Anthony Golding were not there to collect the ball. With three Pulborough backs charging up a foot race was on. Covering at the back was Chad Reay who looked certain to get to the ball first. Sliding along the ground to collect he missed allowing the Pulborough winger to kick through, chase, and score just to the right of the posts. Converted with ease. 3-14
A shaken ODs side regained their composure from the kick-off aiming to get back in this game and not let it drift away from them. Some bullocking runs from Luka Perlain, back on the field, saw him smash through three defenders from 20m off the try line, only to be stopped just short. This almost allowed Brad Pugh to go over but again stopped short. All the OD pressure had some consolation after being awarded a penalty and this was converted by Chad Reay. 6-14
The restart on 28 minutes saw more of the same. An eventual line out from Pulborough was a mess, Jean-Pierre Mills collected the ball and went on his familiar snaking run making 25m in the process. Luka Perlain was there once more smashing his way up and winning a penalty. The resulting line out took the ODs firmly into the Pulborough red zone. Penalty after penalty was awarded to the OD with shouts for the Referee to go to his pocket but to no avail. Chad Reay slots one of these for a further three points to keep the score board moving. 9-14
The restart again saw the ODs on the offensive but time for the half was up.

The second half commenced and the ODs continued where they had left off. Charging runs and a great interchange of play from Jon Flook and Malachi Connolly gave way to a penalty allowing the ODs to go deep into the Pulborough 22. With some scrappy play from set pieces by both sides Ivan Marinov, off of the back of a retreating scrum, makes an impressive punching run winning the ODs a penalty 5m out. Taken quickly by Pugh he darted over the line to score, converted by Chad Reay. The ODs were back in the lead for the first time since the 16th minute. 16-14
Still on a high the restart was collected. More charging runs from Luka Perlain and Graham Purdy broke holes in the Pulborough back line. Chad Reay broke through the disjointed defense leaving a 2 on 1 for him and Brad Pugh. The pass was timed well and Pugh went over to score. An uncharacteristic poor kick from Reay saw the ball sail wide of the posts for the conversion. Would this prove costly later on? 21-14
It took 10 minutes for Pulborough to get their heads back into the game and they made some threatening breaks towards the OD try line but were unable to cross over. Pulborough were awarded several penalties close out which they kept running back straight into the OD forward pack. The defense held strong and for a moment the ODs looked like they would break the hearts of the Pulborough attack. After a scrappy turn over the ball was kicked out of danger by the ODs and back to the half way line. A looping pass in the Pulborough back three gave way to a massive hit from Malachi Connolly allowing the ODs to turn over the ball. A darting run by Linval Antonio broke the first line of defense and an offload to Jean-Pierre Mills would put the ODs firmly in the driving seat for another try closing the game down. The flat pass from Antonio unfortunately was knocked on by Mills saving the game for Pulborough.
The match was leveled on the 74th minute. More forward pressure was exerted from their pack but this time Pulborough spread it wide where an obvious crossing offense in the centre was missed by only the Referee. The ball cut back in field and offloaded to their big tight head who broke the OD defense to score under the posts. With only 6 minutes left on the clock a drop goal conversion was successfully taken. 21-21
Desperate to get the win the ODs came out all guns blazing from the restart. Pushing up the middle they were finally awarded a penalty, with 2 minutes left, 15m into the Pulborough half. Right on Chad Reay's kicking range the kick to goal was selected. As Reay place the ball silence fell around the ground. Just as he was about to start his run up the ball toppled off of the tee. Hearts leapt into mouths all round. Asking the Referee if he could replace the ball he was advised that his time was almost up and he should try a drop kick. Ignoring the advice and as quickly as he could he placed the ball back on the tee, took 4 quick steps back, ran up and kicked. Everyone watched as the ball sailed between the uprights. A gigantic cheer from the OD crowd and everyone clambering to know how much time was left on the clock. 24-21
Pulborough took the restart quickly but it was all too late. A knock on and a scrum to Pulborough only saw them driven off their own ball by a determined OD pack, Brendan Cairns to kick to touch and the final whistle go.

A tight tense game and everyone's blood pressure was a little higher for it. Pulborough looked dejected on the whistle, they had given their all. A different referee and the game may have had a different out come but the ODs can be happy with the 4 points. They may have won in a scrappy way but a win is a win. This puts a small amount of daylight between them and Folkestone who sit 5th in the league one place below.

Next week is Park House away. Another stern test, on a pitch that is getting some bad press lately, should hopefully see the ODs cement their place and claw back some ground on the top three, who each only have one more win but the elusive bonus point is keeping them 7 points clear. We hope to see as many of you as possible at this local derby to cheer the boys on.