OB's tame Rhinos

Haringey Rhinos 12 vs Old Brentwood 58 By Mark Elliott

Our third away game in a row saw our intrepid team travel to north London to face another new fixture for the club the Haringey Rhinos.
The quality of rugby by both sides luckily meant the spectators were able to forget the cold and enjoy a good game of rugby.

The first half was a very close affair with both sides having good periods of play, with the Rhinos scoring first with a bursting run through the middle to score under the posts which was duly converted. OB’s responded with Griffin who was at his rampaging best at inside centre breaking the Rhino line and supplying Adesiyan for the try in the corner. Rhino’s responded with a try of their own through good handling drawing in the OB defence creating an overlap on the right for the score..... The Coaches then had a few words under the posts and the team came out with determined looks. OB’s started playing more running rugby moving the ball and the second try followed, Morley supplying Adesiyan whom streaked down the left and under the posts, Beaty converted. With half time looming OB’s were again in the Rhino’s 22 and despite the rhino’s having the much heavier pack the forwards delivered quick ball. Beaty at 9 who had been lively all half saw a gap and darted through weaving between the Rhino forwards to score a classic scrum half try. Half time saw the score at 17 -12 to OB’s.

The second half saw the bench fully utilised as the coaches decided to start the second half with fresh legs especially in the pack. This proved slightly too much for the Haringey team as Paulin for the third week secured a hat trick of tries in short order. He was supplied by Walker, Reid and Sagomba, whom all made great runs drawing the defence and off-loading to Paulin who as always showed great support play. Sagomba added two conversions including a fantastic kick from very wide. More good passing saw OB’s creating a large overlap on the right any one of three players could have scored however Sagomba crossed for a try supplied by Sandle. Solid play saw OB’s again in the Rhino 22 however the Rhino pack managed to turn over the ball and they kicked a high ball to clear their lines. Great team communication saw Elliott-Gratze take a difficult ball over his shoulder going to ground and popping up the pass to the ever present Paulin whom at full sprint scythed through a bemused Rhino line for the try. The forwards combined for the next attack straight from the kick off ending in Cottage supplying Walker for a well deserved pack try. It was the forwards that had the final say in the match in the shape of a superb solo effort try by Mr Reid.

The final score ended 58 – 12 to OB’s.

We often focus on the try scorers however there is so much more rugby skill that this OB team now demonstrate in abundance. The Rhino team were a large team with some very big powerful runners, however the OB tackling was up to the task. In particular Reid, Moss, Christopher and Vickers were ever present to make a crunching tackles and clear-outs in around the breakdown and were instrumental in turning over the ball with huge personal work rates. In the backs Morley, Griffin and Shurety tackled hard all match. Often the Rhino team was stopped behind the gain line, and were unable to generate momentum in attack.
It is the work rate, support play and communication of the whole team that is impressive to watch.

Our thanks once again to Rhinos Coach Mike and Referee David (fantastic officiating by the way!) and the lads of Haringey Rhinos for their hospitality , something we hope to return next season.

There will be tougher tests to come and no doubt more lessons to be learned.. but for now another job well done.