On another balmy late autumn day we were treated to an excellent game of rugby with the old boys coming out on top 5 tries to 2.
Five players returning who missed last week made a big difference; with still more to return it would be really nice if for once the physio room was clear of traffic and a full squad was put out, but I am sure all clubs have this problem, so moan i'll not!
Charlie Sheppard returned in the pack and Matt Vaughan at fly half, and what a difference they made. Rob White reappeared on the wing back from Leeds Uni for a break and scored a brace, Ed Velasco was outstanding on the other side, joining attacks from all over the park and solid in defence, and Mark Cheetham returned to the back row. Charlie played like a gazelle in the loose, and soaring in the lineout, and Matt controlled the game like a field marshal in the open play.
The game started in completely the wrong way from a home perspective with sloppy play from a kick over the top from the Dover scrum half: Tom White made a total hash of catching, clearing and then kicking it, so a ball that should have been collected and cleared bounced into the oncoming Dover winger's hands giving him a free run to the posts from 40 metres out. A cover tackle just caught him but an offload the the supporting right wing meant a try under the sticks. 0-7 after 1 minute.
It's strange when you watch games and you have a feeling that sometimes you are not going to lose - even after a poor start - and this was to be the case. The Old Boys quickly struck back with a Rob White try in the corner after a sweeping attacking move and a 50-metre run by Ed Velasco; OEs followed this some 2 minutes later with a set forward move, Tom Lawry going over in the other corner, making the score 10-7 to Elthamians as both conversions were missed.
Dover were then pinged for being offside, Tom White found his kicking boots and nailed it from 30 out to increased the home lead. Just as the old boys looked to be in total control it was as if they had said that's enough rugby for one half and took their feet off the gas. They did however add one more before half time when Andrew Reeve, who is looking increasingly more impressive with every game, went over for a converted try, making halftime 20-7 to the Old Boys.
For the second week running a poor start to the half saw the visitors go over for an unconverted try after a lineout and drive for the line, narrowing the score to 20-12. To be frank OEs were trying to play too much rugby in their own 22 when a hefty boot to the Gilbert may have been a better option. However after that lapse it was really Old Elthamians all the way with the Old Boys squeezing the life out of Dover.
OEs totally ran the show at the line out with England Students' lock Jon Aston and Charlie Sheppard ruling the airwaves. I have to also say there was not one "not straight" with Ducky Fordham's throwing, which has to earn praise. The forwards were so much quicker to the breakdown, being led by Tom Lawry at openside: he had an excellent game making so many tackles and turnovers - what an asset he is for the club.
A 50-metre run by Rudi Thirion was brought to a halt outside the Dover 22, then OEs were pulled back for a forward pass when Owen Lewis was through and under the posts, but it was really only a matter of time till the scoreboard was ticking again. Rudi got his reward for previous efforts with a try which Tom White converted and then Rob White was put away by a Jonny Williams pass on the left wing to dot down, his brother added the extras again.
All in all a good day at the office which sees the Old Boys climb a spot to 3rd in the league. What is of note, which was pointed our by the forwards on Saturday evening: forwards outscored backs 3 tries to 2, a first for some time but that did not stop the banter and the forwards drinking on that fact after the game!
Now it's time to take stock, look at where we are and plan for what is going to be a massive few weeks: trips to Chichester and Basingstoke, followed by the visit of Sidcup to Foxbury means there cannot be any let up.