Extra A 6 v OA Rugby 2s 14

The Extra A were finally back in league action on Saturday after a month long Christmas break. We were due to face Welwyn 2s (Played 9, won 1,lost 8), but they opted to drop out of the league at the half way point, and were replaced by OA Rugby 2s. So I would, at this point, like to thank our merit table organisers for this equal swap. OA's were keen to point out to us that this was actually their 3rd team, NOT their second team. But they don't have a second team, just a first team and then this, their 3rd team. Obviously that makes loads of sense, so we accepted this and moved on- #notbitter.

Stortford kicked off and the game started at a frantic pace, with our hosts attempting to run the ball at every opportunity in the first 5 minutes. We were equal to this though and our defence, well marshalled by Ben Law and Simon Wasley, stood firm. Unfortunately we lost Wasley just after the 5 minute mark, a recurring hamstring injury ending his game prematurely. With our only forward replacement still en route to the ground, our heroic manager Ben Millard stepped up and filled the void superbly after 2 years out of the game. Ben managed to win a turnover, and concede a penalty during his 10 minute cameo- a fair performance I think. It was after about 15 minutes that we scored our first points of the day, a good set piece move from a lineout saw winger Ben Stapleton go clean through and set up good field position just outside the 22. We recycled the ball well and, after good midfield surges from Max Oliver and Optimus Prime, we forced a penalty at the breakdown which was slotted by Sperm. Millard eventually made way for Jones/Rose on the 20 minute mark. The wide open game continued and our hosts managed to break the line a couple of times, however they were stopped on each occasion by some ferocious defence from our centre duo of Aran Martinson and James Orbart, and winger Alexander James Tindall of Windsor. It was the blues who struck next though; a penalty was quickly taken by stand in skipper Sperm, who stole an extra 10 metres as the opposition hadn't retired the appropriate distance. This bought the fly half within range of the posts and the 3 points were duly added. The opposition were adamant that this decision was an exhibition of negative, boring Rugby. I'm not sure they could quite comprehend just how much we all really just wanted a rest.

OAs came straight back at us, and after some frantic scramble defence on our line our resolve eventually broke, the OAs powerful number 8 going over from close range. The final 10 minutes of the half was all Stortford and we had a number of meaningful breaks from Martinson, Law and Tindall. Unfortunately, we were unable to cross the line, but at 7-6 down we were very optimistic as the half time whistle blew. Our opposition even went back into the changing rooms at half time! Probably something that they picked up from their friends at Saracens bit keen for this league. Ross Johnstone, ever the diplomat, opted to clap them all back onto the pitch which seemed to be really well received.

After some generic motivational words from Millard and Sperm at half time, the second half got underway. OAs kicked off and we were straight back into a fast paced game, flankers Boyle and Mackenzie particularly making their presence felt around the breakdown. Tank, this week playing as an authoritative, sniping, long passing but still FEROCIOUS scrum half bossed the pack superbly and gave us backs an excellent platform to attack. After a line break from Sperm, and great support from Derry Joyce the Blues went close but good cover from OAs prevented a score. Soon after this there was, I am almost certain, at least one genuine tear from the opposing 12, after he thought he had been shoulder charged by our monstrous fly half following a kick ahead. His bleating was such the their lineout was turned into our penalty- Sperm tapped quickly and punted downfield. The OA 12, rather predictably, came for retribution. He missed, I laughed. To their credit, OAs ran everything that they could back at us, and despite some strong tackling from Mackenzie and Prime they exploited a stretched defence to score another converted try. The remaining 15 minutes was largely Stortford on the offence, despite losing Jones/Rose to a yellow card for an offence that we are still trying to figure out. Joe Marsh was introduced at 15 for Tiarnan Kelly, who had an impressive game and dealt with the aerial threat admirably. Good ball from our pack saw Orbart and Martinson combining well to continuously break the line and give us good field position. It wasn't our day though, and the final whistle went with us pressing the OA line.

Although a loss is always disappointing, it was actually a very strong performance against a skilful side who will prove a challenge for most teams in this league. Man of the match was a hard one after such a good all round performance; runners up included Prime, Orbart, Tindall, Law and Martinson, but we couldn't look past Steve 'Tank' Green, whose energy in both attack and defence was impressive. Dick of the day contenders were Sperm (literally getting a piggy back from their 8), Law (Kicking the ball straight out, or at all), OAs 12 (crying, then going off). Winner however had to go to Jones/Rose, who turned up 15 mins after kick off, then got yellow carded in second half.

All in all this was a strong performance- the result was the only displeasing thing about the day, so we move optimistically onwards to what will be another tough one against Belsize Park next week.