Pulborough win 33-7 away to Old Williamsonians

With the amount of rain that had fallen the previous week it was nice to arrive with the sun out...well sort of and the pitch in relatively good condition. One problem was that it was blowing a 40 knot gale wind which was going to pose an issue with either side and who best adjusted to the conditions.
Captain Frazer Oliphant-Hope won the toss and elected to run into the wind, so discipline and defence needed to be at its best as it was always going to be tough task just getting out of our own half. At best it was fair to say it was at least a 20 point wind but this was not to be from the home side.
From the kick off it was fair to say that OWs probably had the run off it for the first 10 minutes but Pulborough’s defence snuffed out any attacking plays the home side threw at them.
OWs had two early opportunities to go into the lead but missed both penalty kicks on offer from relatively easy positions on the field.
The next 30 minutes Pulborough worked out it was better to keep ball in hand and repeatedly worked their way out of trouble time and again.
The first try scoring opportunity came when the intercept king Ben Sadler anticipated the pass from the OWs 10 and set off on a 70 metre run, only to be dragged down 5 metres from the tryline. Unfortunately the supporting players were late getting there and a penalty was awarded to OWs for holding on in the ruck.
The OWs flyhalf, who was not having a good day with the boot, and the relieving penalty with the wind at his backside failed to chew off the metres you would expect.
Pulborough managed to steal the lineout and with the forwards eating away the metres, found themselves 5 metres from the tryline and the mercurial number 8 Charlie Mears crashed over 5 out from touch.
Frazer Oliphant Hope stepped up to the plate and nailed the kick into a roaring wind to take the lead 7-0.
With ten minutes remaining in the half OWs knew they needed to get points on the board but the Pulborough defence was up to the challenge, repeatedly snuffing out any opportunity the home side threw at them.
With the Ref calling half time, it was a fantastic effort by the lads to be in front on the scoreboard 7-0.

Not a lot was said at halftime, other than the obvious to play in their half and be patience with the ball.
From the restart it was all Pulborough and with OWs, infringing at the ruck and the Ref awarding the penalty 45 out but in front. Frazer Oliphant Hope once again pulled out the 9 iron and chipped it sailing through the uprights to go 10 nil up.
Only minutes later....it was déja vu, Pulborough being awarded a penalty and Frazer this time using the pitching wedge, albeit with a driver swing, to take the lead out to 13-0 with Pulborough seemingly in cruise control.
Not to be unfortunately, complacency set in and OWs had all the territory and were making a nuisance of themselves with their big forwards. Pulborough managed to gain the turnover and again unfortunately the exit strategy went out the window with the forwards taking it on one too many phases only to be penalised.
OWs taking the quick tap and after three phases crashed over for a well-earned converted try and now back into the game 13-7 down.
With Pulborough getting back on track both Frazer Oliphant Hope and Henry Lee kept OWs back in their half with superb kicking especially a peach from hand courtesy of Henry Lee and the pressure finally took its toll with Frazer once again banging over 2 excellent penalty kicks extending the lead 19-7.
For the remaining 15 minutes Pulborough were now in full control with Henry Limpus scoring a lovely try down the left flank after some good lead up work by Harry Bullock and Charlie Mears going over for his 2nd try in similar fashion to his first.
Not forgetting Frazer being successful on both occasions.
With 5 minutes until full time Pulborough were intent on getting a four try bonus point and from the restart Harry Bullock, with a show and go, beat two defenders and set off on a 80 metre run down the sideline only to get bundled into touch inches from the tryline.
With seconds left and only 2 metres out, Sam Beesley with a pick and go seemingly dotted down on the line and to the amazement of his fellow forwards the Ref deemed him to be held up and blowing full time.
Final score 33-7 in favour of Pulborough.

Summary

Very pleasing effort from the lads who played to the conditions perfectly with a very strong breeze on the day.
Keeping OWs to 7 was a fantastic defensive effort with everyone sharing the workload across the park.
Impressive effort from Chris Whyte who has certainly stepped up this year. His driving tackles and basically being a serial pest at every breakdown. Chris's scrum technique needs some work but he will be the first to admit and this is something that we will be working on.
Also great to see Sam Aviss playing after a couple of seasons out putting in a polished game at 10.
Frazer kicking from the tee in those conditions.....brilliant with 7 from 7. Not to mention his ferocious tackling.
Harry Short and Joe Serna's work rate is second to none and they lead by example to Richard Hill like efficacy standards ....both outstanding rugby players and blokes.
Everyone put in a shift on Saturday but Best on Ground/Man of the Match went to Charlie Mears with a superb game.

Once again thanks to Jack Leddra, Andy Bates and Dan Danny Conway who came off the pine and all three impressed while on the pitch.
To both our President Alex Steele and Major Sponsor Clive Sadler from Southern Cranes who once again made the long journey to support the lads and help out.

Cheers

Dean