Old Gravesendians vs Old Willies

Yet another glorious summer’s day greeted the Old Boys for their second friendly of the 2012 season. Again the coach decided that if the club are to push for promotion then the boys need to be tested at the next level and so a friendly against Kent 1 side Old Gravesendians was arranged.

With 6 of the first team absent on stag do’s various it was always going to be a testing game against a much larger Kent 1 side but every single one of the Old boys put 100% into this game in scorching heat to get the result the coach was looking for going into the start of the new season next weekend.

The Old Boys started this game playing down a steep slope and new that if they were to stand a chance in this game they would have to make the first 40 minutes count. That they did with some good ball retention and slick hands in the backs. Much the same as the last friendly against Bec’s the Old Boys found it hard to break down Old G’s defence and lacked the vital pass or move to open up the space needed to break the Old G’s back line. With the game being played in 4 20 minute quarters due to the heat the whistle went for the first quarter with the score
0-0.

With the Old Boys continuing to play down the slope for the 2nd quarter it was pretty much the same story. With the forwards working hard for the ball to give the backs the footing they needed to try out some of their new moves very little territory was gained, with the backs choosing to run more across the pitch than straighten their runs and penetrate the Old G’s back line. (Something for the training field lads.)
With exchanges of ball possession between the two sides, mainly in the middle of the park the quarter fizzled out and the whistle went for half time 0-0.

With water on board and a few choice words from the coach the Old Boys headed out for the 3rd quarter knowing that the next forty minutes would be even tougher as they now had to contend with the slope in Old G’s favour. The quarter went much the same as the first two with neither team looking like scoring and much of the play was done in the middle of the park. Both teams flirted with the try line and it took some once again missed tackles from the Old Boys to allow one of the Old G’s to break the line and sore pretty much under the posts. Luckily for the Old Boys the Old G’s kicker had forgot his kicking boots and missed the conversion leaving the score at the end of the 3rd quarter
5-0.

The last quarter saw the old boys up the anti and push for that all important try.If anything just to get some points on the board. Knowing that they could not just run through the Old G’s defence the ball was secured by the forwards before being spun wide. With some quick hands in the backs the ball ended up in the hands of our very own Ben “Husain Bolt” Shears and with lightening quick feet managed to dodge 3 tackles and create space to run the ball in under the posts.

Unluckily for the Old G’s one of their former youth players Jon “Fish” Cokell had brought his kicking boots and slotted the ball through the middle of the posts for a 5-7 lead to the Old boys.
With the ref stating a matter of minutes until the end of the game everyone new all the lads has to do was keep possession and run the clock down. The old boys had a different game plan though and decided to allow Old G’s to get their hands on the ball and push for that all important try that would see them victorious.

The last minute of the game saw the Old Boys give away a penalty right in front of the posts. With this being a friendly the Old boys were confident they could withstand one final serge from the Old G’s. Old G’s however had a different agenda and decided they would kick for the points. With the old Boys a little disgruntled that they had decided to do that in a friendly when they themselves had passed up the opportunity to kick points throughout the game the Old G’s kicker lined up the ball. Jon “Cunte” White though had other ideas and being the gabler he is placed a huge stake of 5p he would miss.

The old G’s kicker struck the ball………………. Miss he did, much to the amusement of the Old Boys and their travelling Barmy Army and with that the final whistle went with the victory going to the Old Boys 7-5.

Unlike the previous friendly against Bec’s the Old Boys had kept their heads and managed to see out this game all be it with a little luck from some shocking kicking from Old G’s. This was by know means and open game of rugby played the way the Willies like but non the less they had stuck to their game plan and got the right result going into their first league fixture next weekend against a bit of an unknown commodity Dartford Valley.

The Old Willies Barmy Army would like to thank the work put in by the team in pre season and to their new coach “Dirty” Den Burton. We all look forward to the new season ahead and wish the team Good Luck for next weeks game.

UP THE WILLIES!!!!!