The Old Boys played some of their best rugby of the season to date in a convincing victory over bottom placed league opponents Old Freemen's. Two evenly matched sets of forwards provided plentiful ball to their respective
backs, but it was there that the visitors outfit was greatly superior.
Half backs James Howell and Lewis Taylor set the pattern with scrum half James Howell getting the ball away quickly for Lewis Taylor to sow seeds of doubt in the home defence. The first score came early on when the No10 broke right handing on to George Fairbairn and skipper Rory Southgate. Thence the ball was fed on to Jason Murphy who coming back to the left side gave a swift pass to Jay Tabb who swept over in the left corner. Jay Tabb converted his own try from way out. Fifteen minutes later the visitors again went left with Tom Harwood coming into the line from full back putting in an astute chip ahead; the ball was regathered for for Joe Bell to crash over in the left corner. Jay Tabb again added the extras. Three minutes later Tom Harwood, George Fairbairn, Rory Southgate and Jason Murphy combined with slick passing for Tom Harwood to chip to the line and score himself. Jay Tabb, once again did the honours. The game looked well won at half time with a clear lead of twenty-one points.
Shortly after the break the home team kicked a penalty for handling in a ruck, but immediately normal service was resumed. Opening up from close to his own line Tom Harwood went left, handing on to George Fairbairn and thence to Rory Southgate. The skipper made twenty yards before Jason Murphy took the ball to the home line for the first of his two tries. Jay Tabb again converted. The home side gradually came more into the game and had the better of the next fifteen minutes testing the OWs defence. Some excellent tackling around the fringes of the rucks by the back row of Brown, Anderson and Hulatt and the half backs frustrated Freemen's and OWs closed out the game with another spectacular try by Jason Murphy who received the ball after it had travelled through several pairs of hands from fifty yards out.
A 35-3 victory was fair value for an outstanding Old Boys performance, but next Saturday's game at home versus the Law Society will be even tougher; the penalty count must not be so extravagant!

E G Bell