Old Albanians 4th XV 21 Harlow 4th XV 17

Friendly Saturday 14th February 2009

4.45pm central London, I receive a message saying the game is off against Brentwood due to the weather.  6.15 game, against OA’s is on.  I made my own way to St. Albans and arrived to discover that Mumbles had made a desperate bid to be COTM, before the game had even started,  “Coathooks and showers that work” he mumbled , “and a mirror for the backs to do their hair, this is what a changing room would look like in heaven.”  He was all set to be COTM, before some of the rest of the team followed Aunty to the game. “I’m lost” said James, “Where are you?”  he was asked,  “At a roundabout” was the reply.  Not sure how, but eventually all the people that got lost finally made it to the ground.

We had taken the fixture so we could get a game before the all important Chingford game this week, the OA’s are a step up for the 4^th team and they all looked nice and young and fit.  The referee was being assessed and spoke to the captains explaining the way the game would be played.  He expressed his disappointment at the lack of OA’s front row as this meant the scrums would be uncontested (something Gaggy neglected to mention to the rest of the team until the first scrum).

The game got started and the 4^th team knew straight away that it was going to be a running game, the two sides were fairly evenly matched although it looked like OA’s had a lot of backs in their pack.  The first Harlow score came from a period of concerted pressure, Danny F was held up as he went for the line, the ball set up nicely spun out to Mumbles who went over the line, this was converted by Crabby.  OA’s were quick to start spinning the ball away from the Harlow pack and a series of kickable penalties meant that they led 9-7.  The Harlow second score came when Mumbles again saw the line and went through the defenders to score out near the touchline, not converted.  OA’s replied with a try of their own which their kicker slotted the conversion.  Danny F scored the last Harlow try, unstoppable from close range he carried 3 OA’s with him, crashing through the defence.  At half time the score was 17-16.

Everything about the game was tight, the uncontested scrum gave OA’s a bit of an advantage, the line outs were close although Gaggy stole some of the opposition ball, there was some serious defending done by the backs with Hammer putting in his customary performance.  Dangler Dan made some great breaks and no-one got past him, Rob Matthews had a very quick opposite number (sometimes almost superhumanly quick I thought) so the ball was moved quickly out through the backs.

OA’s piled the pressure on in the second half, they had lost players to injury so we had lent them a couple(big hand Judas Jay) it took them ages to eventually find a chink in the defence, they scored down the wing after spinning the ball out quickly, away from the 4th team pack.  The game ended 21-17 with everyone agreeing it was a great warm up for this week, played in the spirit of the game.

Wingco, picked up MOTM for his all round performance, Mex had a great game especially when he supported Mumbles after running ¾ the length of the pitch.

Team-Chris, James, Danny, Wingco, Neil, Phil, Aunty, Mex, Mark, Rob M, Mumbles. Dangler, Crabby, Rupert, Hammer, Rob S, Jay, Gaggy

Humorous moments-Gaggy needing to dash to the toilet on arriving at OA’s, should have gone before you set off!

Cheshunt recognising us as Harlow players when hearing a description of our showers.

The referee warning me to be careful next time with the boot (I thought it had gone unnoticed.)

Both the opposition and the ref looking extremely worried when Gaggy called for one massive push in the last uncontested scrum of the game.

Oh and last but not least walking past the OA’s first team pitch and seeing the centre who had just played against us having a little run out for their 1s, at least he had been warmed up.

COTM-Aunty for his navigating, everyone who followed him can also join him, and James for his “I’m lost call”

To view more match reports - click here