Bognor (7) vs OGRFC (52)

In recent weeks, OGRFC had 3 'cup finals' all culminating in a potential play off to play for promotion to London 3 SW. Thankfully OGRFC won all these games resulting in a second place finish, earning a play off against Bognor, who finished second in Snows Hampshire 1. There was huge build up to the game and rightly so as it was hands down, the biggest game in OGRFC's short history.

The squad travelled down to the seaside by the coach and were incredibly well supported with over 20 fans travelling down to the south coast and cheer on the boys. When eyeing up Bognor in the warm up, there was a clear size deficiency in comparison to OGRFC however the opening stages gave OGRFC the upper hand which they maintained all game. OGRFC dominated possession and territory in the opening 10 minutes and the first try coming from rare try scorer, penalty. Moments before, Bognor were reduced to 14 men as their scrum half was sent to the sin bin. From the resultant scrum, Bognor conceded on their try line giving the referee no option but to award a penalty try.

With 15 minutes gone, OGRFC maintained their strong possession stats. This was all very promising as given Bognor's size, it was known they would tire before OGRFC so OGRFC really made them work in defence. With the next visit to the Bognor 22, OGRFC extended their lead, with the ball passed through the hands and Harry Samuels able to cross over the line with ease. Jack Cooney slotted the extras to take OGRFC 14 nil up.

30 minutes were played when Bognor visited the OGRFC 22 for the first time and unfortunately scored to take the score 14-7, really putting their size to good use, bashing through the OGRFC defence. OGRFC responded and setup camp in the Bognor half once again and were awarded a penalty but unfortunately the resultant kick drifted just wide of the posts. Half time came with OGRFC up 14-7 and work to be done in the second half.

The next score was going to be crucial but thankfully fell OGRFC's way. Bognor had a scrum on their own line and managed to clear their lines however could not get the ball out from their clearance kick. It was kicked down the throat of danger man Toby Marshall who showed his usual quick feet to beat the first man. He was brought down on the 22 and OGRFC recycled the ball very quickly when Ali Stanley finding himself at first receiver, feeding Jonny Alberto who then had a marauding Harry Samuels charging off his shoulder to charge to the line and score in the corner, similar to the Alex Cuthbert score in the first Lions test v Australia in 2013.

10 minutes later the game was essentially won thanks to Toby Marshall dancing through defenders to score a typically wonderful try under the posts with his half back partner Jack Cooney adding the extras. Moments later, clubman and coach's player of the year, Nick Bennett smashed his way through the defence before feeding Will Stride who galloped to the line and scored under the posts, taking the lead 33-7.

As we entered the final quarter, OGRFC emptied the bench with all 4 subs making an immediate impact, notably, young 18 year old Lachie McConville who was making his first appearance in the back row in men's rugby and proceeded to chop down the big lads of Bognor. With the game won, it still felt there was something missing; a Jack Chard try. It wasn't long until normal service was resumed as fan favourite Jack Chard ended a trade mark run through the defence and scoring in the corner. The player of the year had the full support of the travelling touring teams who were creating a carnival atmosphere on the sidelines and also took to our flying Scotsman, CJ Jeromson. With CJ playing on the wing on the side of the crowd he produced the loudest cheer of the day when he swatted one of the biggest Bognor defenders out the way and left him face down on the ground.

With 10 minutes to go, the independent referee and supporting touch judges (fully mic'd up) did not take any pity on Bognor when the Bognor player who was sin binned earlier on in the game saw another yellow card and therefore a red card. With Bognor reduced to 14 men, there were heaps of spaces out wide and Toby Marshall was the benefactor as he raced to the line from the half way line without any defender getting close to him, 45-7.

Unfortunately for Bognor, their hope of any consolation scores were evaporated when they received another red card for a high tackle. OGRFC did not let up as the game entered the final minutes, displayed by Joe Deal providing the tackle of the match with a textbook (and safe) dump tackle. With the final play of the game, OGRFC were able to bring up the half century when captain Chris Hanson scored under the posts, however if the line was any further, he would have probably been caught. To put the icing on the cake, the oldest OGRFC player of the day, Ciaran Pillay slotted the conversion in front of the posts. Final score, 52-7 and promotion to London 3 South West secured in emphatic fashion.

Thanks to all those who made the trip down to support, it really was a huge effort and the boys couldn't have done it without you!

Roberts Radio Man of the Match - Jack Chard/Harry Samuels