Bexley 19 V Old Williamsonians 47

The old boys travelled to Bexley on Saturday afternoon to play on their U10’s pitch in another eagerly anticipated battle in Kent 2.
The weather was perfect for rugby, with freshness in the air and a soft ground underfoot.

In the pervious match between these two clubs the old boys ran out comfortable winners in a match that never really saw the old boys get going. This was to be replicated again in this match as the old boys struggled against a rather lager Bex pack and some interesting decisions by the man in the middle.

Knowing that this would be a tight fought game on a pitch that would be more suited to U10’s touch rugby, the old boys knew they would be up against it today in what would be a battle of the forwards. Bexley had a few man mountains in their pack which served them well at the 400+ scrums that took place and other than the odd pass that did venture out in to their backs Bex played a tight game that served them well.

The game kicked off with the old boys looking to get about Bex and make life difficult for them. Knowing they had the fitness on Bex but not the weight to back it up they knew they would have to play quick rugby all afternoon with the ball being spun wide at every opportunity if they were to get anything out of this games.

In the past few seasons no Willies team has gone to Bex and scored more than 4 tries so this would be a test of how far this young Willies team has come.

Normally, I would now right a bit about what happened in the match but to be honest there isn’t much to say this week. Bex have a home game plan which involves their massive pack putting the ball up their jumpers and attempting to score some points, while their backs look on in hope that one day they to will be included in the game and that the ball may soon be passed to them.

The old boys took and early lead through 3 break away tries up the middle of the park and 1 conversion before switching off and allowing Bex to drive over and score a couple of tries of their own. The Old boys woke briefly from their slumber to score again in a first half that was played in dribs and drabs. Half time score was something along the lines of 27-19 to the Willies.

In the second half it was much the same. The Willies tried to play some entertaining rugby for the travelling faithful but were stopped in their tracks by either some interesting decisions by the man in the middle or by one of the Bex front row losing the ball up their shirt. This was not a game for the spectators and the second half fizzled out much the same as the first. Some moments of good play and slick hands did see the Old Boys score a few more tries and some excellent defence did see the Old Boys stop Bex from scoring any more points.

This game was all about the 5 points on offer today and most of the rugby went out the window, which is a shame as Bex are far more capable of playing some good rugby as shown at times throughout this match, but their reliance on their massive pack to just drive over all the time did hider not only the Willies play but their own. In the end the Willies stuck it out in the style in which the game should be played and ran out comfortable winners 47 -19.

Tries were scored by “Speedy” Shears x 2, Will, Alice, Oli, “Slick Back” and “Dawson” with kicks added by the Captain.

This was probably the hardest fought game this season and to come away with a convincing win in a game where little rugby flowed is a testament to how far this team have come over this short period of time. Not many teams will go to Bex and put near on 50 points on them so this was a great win by the Old boys today.

To sum up, a massive win and very important bonus point victory today which leaves the Willies top of Kent 2. With Foots Cray getting a hammering away to Guy’s 57-7 the Old Boys now have a bit of breathing space at the top with 8 points between them and second placed Lords Wood.

MOTM – Ashley “Slick Back” Smith – A great game by the young Willie who got on the score board again this week. He also made some strong tackles and robbed a few balls here and there. Overall the young lad had a good game with not his usual fly half.

DOTD – Reece “Jar Head” Price – While the Captain was taking a 10 minute rest under the post for some made up rule that left him yellow carded “Jar Head” thought he would have a go at a conversion……right in front of the posts……he missed!!!!! He will not be asked to kick again.