Uxbridge snatch victory with last gasp win against Old Millhillians

Uxbridge recover from 17-5 half time deficit to win on the final play of the game against Old Millhillians

Uxbridge went into their first game of 2018 looking to continue the good form that saw them end 2017 on a high and also avenge for the heavy defeat suffered in September at the hands of the visitors.

The game began as both teams traded possession and good spells of play with neither team able to make a breakthrough. The Uxbridge forwards found joy in making yards and put up a stern defence in the face of the Old Millhillian onslaught.

Midway through the first half the game’s first try came from the visitors as quick recycling allowed them to break through the defence and dot the ball down. The following conversion was missed.

This whirred the home team into life and with a clear advantage in the forward pack the Uxbridge scrum began to make inroads and build a platform to attack from. Wes Spiller, Craig Monaghan, Jake Lamport and Nick Guy all went agonisingly close only to be denied by a stern defence (and an opposing scrum half who was given 10 minutes to think about his actions) before a scrum five yards out allowed number eight Sam Dillamore to truck the ball over the line and open the Uxbridge account.

With five minutes to go until half-time the hosts made a few silly errors and conceded two soft tries to go in at the break 17-5.

After a passionate half-time team talk from coach Ron Matthews, Uxbridge came out intent on closing the gap. Camped in the Old Millhillian half, the home side seemed unable to find the key to unlock the visitors defence until two separate periods of intense pressure from the forwards allowed Sam Dillamore and Craig Monaghan to crash their way over and with two kicks from fly-half Guy take the lead 19-17.

With eight minutes to go it was Old Millhillians turn to turn the screw and after a quickly taken tap-and-go saw Uxbridge concede a penalty in front of the sticks which was duly converted to give a one point lead to the visiting side.

With one minute to go and the Uxbridge scrum again rolling forward forward, a loose pass by the Old Millhillians scrum half was intercepted by scrum-half and man of the match James ‘the Thorpedo’ Thorpe to run in from 70 yards and claim a famous win to take the final score to Uxbridge-24 Old Millhillians-20 and secure a bonus point win

Next week, Saturday 13 January, Uxbridge First XV are back in action away to Harlequins Amateurs (kick-off 14:15) with the Second XV at home to the Civil Service Barbarians (kick-off 14:15).