KICKING OFF A NEW DECADE WITH AN OUTSTANDING WIN - 38-27

OMTs hosted Finsbury Park this week as the boys were looking to make amends from their thrashing away earlier in the year. Debut for Frazer Pegler at number 8, with the return of Marcus-Alexander Neil and Naty De R back into the starting line-up. It was a slow start for OMTs, conceding two tries early on, one of which only one was converted on an extremely windy War Memorial pitch (0-12). OMTs started to find their feet, with an extremely dominant scrum that was led by Tom Kenison, Rodrigo Churio and Kavit Patel in the front row. After 20 minutes of uphill battling, OMTs managed to find a breakthrough as they looked to run the ball from their own 22. Some quick hands in the midfield allowed Paul Smith to break down the wing and put Naca Kinikinilau through. A great tackle by the Finsbury Park 15 saw Kinikinilau brought down, but OMTs were quick to the breakdown and managed to get the ball out wide for Joe Isaacs to score in the left-hand corner. A successful kick from Alex Douch made the score 7-12. OMTs began to dominate for the rest of the half, despite playing up the hill and into the wind. After a number of chances that went missing, OMT opted for 3 points before the end of the half. Unfortunately, the kick was missed and OMT were down 7-12 at the break.

With the game firmly in sight for OMTs coming into the second half, it was Finsbury Park that came out the gates at real pace. A further two tries out wide in the corner, as they corrected their set piece by bringing on their substitute prop. Neither kick was converted, making the score 7-22. They had achieved their four try bonus point and it looked as if the game was heading away from OMTs. Despite this, the boys dug deep. Some excellent play moved the ball out wide to Paul Smith who was tackled high just before he managed to cross the whitewash. A penalty and a yellow card were given to Finsbury Park. OMTs kicked for the corner and successfully managed to score from a dominant driving maul - try by Brian Bernardez. Another example of a lineout that didn't lose once, led by Mark Widdowson. Alex Douch added the points with a fantastic drop goal conversion due to the wind (14-22). OMTs picked up the pace now as they looked to punish the 14-man Finsbury Park. Frazer Pegler scored on his debut, after an extremely impressive performance, to make the score 21-22. OMTs were firmly back in the game and dominance continued as Finsbury Park returned back to 15 men. OMTs controlled the game from both a discipline perspective and the set piece. OMTs’ pace and strength, plus the Christmas break, began to take its toll on Finsbury Park, with Kinikinilau going over for his first of the afternoon, with Alex Douch adding a further two points (28-22). Bonus point now secured, with OMT ahead for the first time in the game. To top off the game, Sam Isaacs ran the ball in from what was an absolutely fantastic team effort begun by a midfield break by Alex Douch linking with Tom Kenison. Once again, Alex Douch scored a further drop goal conversion to cap off a clear Man-of-the-Match display (35-22). OMT then received a penalty in front of the posts, and intelligently went for the three points, given how much Alex Douch had excelled with the boot. No surprise with the extra three taking the match well out of reach to 38-22. Finsbury Park did recover by scoring a final try after the 80-minute mark, but this made no difference, making the final score 38-27 in an exciting and exceptionally well-deserved win to OMTs - an excellent team performance.

The OMT 1st XV play second place Enfield on Saturday in a Cup & League Double Header.

FINAL SCORE - 38 - 27