Old Williamsonians RFC

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The 2009/2010 league campaign got under way this weekend when New Ash Green came to visit Rochester. Once again the weather conditions were perfect for a barbecue rather than rugby, as the first home league game is traditionally celebrated with a barbecue it wasn’t all bad.

Over the last few seasons New Ash Green have had a nasty habit of stealing a last minute victory when playing the Old Wills. This uncomfortable fact was on the minds of the home side who were keen to make sure the same thing didn’t happen this season.

From the kick off both teams fiercely contested for territory and possession. With the game being played in the middle of the pitch and the defence for both sides being rock solid it was a very evenly fought first twenty minutes.

The home side managed to take the lead when Ross Savin crossed the line to open the scoring, S Franks successfully converted the try. 7-0.

With the momentum swinging towards the home side it wasn’t long before JJ Brown made a darting run from the blind side of a breakdown in NAG’s 22. Franks couldn’t find the posts forn the conversion, 12-0.

New Ash Green were wobbling but by no means out and came back strong from the restart. Their pressure soon saw a rolling maul deep in the Old Wills 22 go over the line to bring the score to 12-5.

A fiercely contested first half drew to a close with the home side only slightly in front. Knowing that New Ash Green never lay down it was crucial that the home side kept the score board ticking over in the second half.

The second half resumed where the first had left off with both sides making bone crunching tackles to keep the game evenly contested.

The home side won a line out on the NAG 22 and Jimmy Highfield was surprised to find himself with the ball behind the New Ash Green defence. Jimmy resembled a rabbit in a cars headlights for a few seconds before it dawned on him to run for the line. This he duly did and touched down to make the score 17-7.

Old Wills knew they still had a job to do and maintained the pressure. A line out deep in the NAG half saw the ball move down the back line and Ross Savin crossed the line for a second time making the score 22-7.

So far all was going to plan, however, once again New Ash Green hadn’t read the script. A lot of teams would let their heads drop with a three try defecit to overcome, but, to New Ash Greens credit they came back fighting and a defensive error in the midfield allowed New Ash Green to score from a switch move. 22-12.

New Ash Green sensed they had a chance of catching the home side and kept applying the pressure. The sustained attack by the visitors saw the game’s momentum start to move in the visitor’s favour. The NAG possession soon proved successful and they scored for another try, 22-17.

The visitor’s heads were up now and they were eager to steal the win, another rolling maul in the Old Wills 22 saw them cross the line and level the score, 22-22.

With only a couple of minutes left on the clock it was all to play for. The home side were desperate to avoid a last minute loss and the visitors were equally as keen to snatch the victory. From the restart the Old Boys wanted possession and to run everything at all costs.

New Ash Green pinned the Wills deep in their 22 and were eager to keep them there. The home side won possession of the ball and Steve Franks looked to run the ball into space, however, massive pressure on the home side 10 robbed him of any real options and he was forced to clear his lines. The clearance kick was charged down by the NAG skipper who collected the ball to run unchallenged under the posts. Final score 22-29.

The Old Boys will learn some hard lessons from this game. Both sides worked hard in hot conditions and neither side gave any easy ground for their opposition but all credit must go to New Ash Green who wanted the win that little bit more than the home side.

On a positive note the Old Boys had a training session for their newly reformed second fifteen before the league fixture and have their first fixture next weekend. This newly formed team are looking for extra players to fill the squad and welcome all new players to training on Tuesdays at 7pm at the Math school, or call Dan Harrison on 07929 007292.