LATE BURST SEALS WIN

OLD NORTHAMPTONIANS 43-20 OADBY WYGGESTONIAN

The score line would suggest a comfortable win for the ONs but up until the seventieth minute there was never more than seven points between the teams however after Kieran O’Connor had intercepted and raced in from 50 metres the ONs quickly added two further converted tries to run out 43-20 winners.

There was just one change to the ONs starting line up with Aaron Cort coming into the back row for the injured Greg Pieterse.Fernely Simmonds made his first squad appearance of the season and he was joined on the bench by Matt Bedden and Ben Rivans.

The ONs kicked off playing down the Billing Road slope and took an early lead when Rhys Evans went in under the posts.Joe Heslop converted and went on to land nine kicks out of nine attempts on his final home appearance before departing for the ski slopes.Oadby came back and after a period of pressure drove over and Jack Elliott added the two points to bring the scores level.The ONs then retook the lead with a successful Heslop penalty and shortly after Evans was just beaten to the touchdown following a long kick through.A strong defensive effort from the ONs repelled several Oadby attacks but eventually Arthur Redfearn scored the visitors second try.Elliott converted then added a penalty with Heslop replying on the stroke of half time to take the score to 17-13 in favour of Oadby at the break.

The ONs opened the seccond half brightly,a weaving Kieran O’Connor run taking them deep into opposition territory and when Oadby infringed Heslop kicked penalty number three and ten minutes later added numbers four and five as the ONs led 22-17.When Elliott was successful from the tee,it looked to have set up a nervous final ten minutes for the ONs team and supporters however O’Connor picked off a pass on half way before leaving the chasers trailing in his wake and scoring under the posts.A typically strong burst from Fernely Simmonds took him through the first line of defence and although he was tackled short of the line there was plenty of support,Crofts diving over.The last play of the game saw the ONs sweeping forward and Drew Hudson finished off the bonus point try.Heslop maintained his 100% kicking record by converting all three for a personal tally of 23 points and a 43-20 victory.

ONs:Marley Wolfenden,Mike Bellamy,Alex Crofts,Rhys Evans,Kieran O’Connor,Joe Heslop,Matt Watts,Aaron Cort,Drew Hudson,Ben McDonald,Chris Reid,Max Wortley,Craig Stewart,Dave Irvine,Zach Draper.

Replacements:Fernely Simmonds,Ben Rivans,Matt Bedden.

Man of the Match:Joe Heslop

Next week the ONs travel to Nottingham to take on West Bridgford with a 2.15pm kick off.