Chiswick Out Played by O.M.Ts

Rugby Result - Old Merchant Taylors   41   Chiswick  17

After a bright start, in which Chiswick wing Adrian Lewis exposed some defensive frailties in the home team with his determined running, the home team gradually got on top. Indeed, by the end they were playing some pretty exciting rugby.

With a lightweight pack, and lacking any tall players, Chiswick were always going to have some problems against these opponents, but in the event it was silly mistakes that were the team’s undoing. A good heel, back row break, quick passes between Dan Nicolle and Dan Coffey provided Lewis with an early ball, and he proceeded to demolish the defence from the half-way line for the early score. Keith Luckman just failed with his conversion attempt.

Minutes later a poor defensive kick was fielded by Lewis, who passed inside to Mark Jones on the burst. The excellent low tackle by the last line of defence on the home 22 line to prevent a try under the posts by the strong-running Chiswick centre proved to be the turning point in the match. Jones then spilt the ball yards from the home line, and this was an omen of things to come for the visitors.

A darting run by the O.M.T No 12 led to a penalty close to the Chiswick line, and a loose ball was seized for a home try, well-converted from near the touch-line. With greater forward power, and a rampaging back row, well backed by a slippery scrumhalf, the home team began to get on top, another try soon following. This was a well-executed pushover from five metres, and a simple conversion. Chiswick came back with another powerful try by Lewis in injury time.  Luckman converted.

Jiggling with the back row at half time did not provide the answer for Chiswick, and the match slipped away from them as they made more errors in trying too hard to get back on top. The first try came from a ruck on the Chiswick line, the home scorer using his great height to twist over the line. Another excellent conversion followed. The next try came from a lineout cock-up, a long throw being called by Chiswick five metres from their line, but not as long as was produced. The unmarked home No.8 at the tail of the line was surprised to find the ball in his hands, but had the presence of mind to stroll over and touch down.

The home scoring was completed with a drop goal and an interception try, both by the home No.12. Chiswick kept trying hard, and right on full time Lewis completed his hat trick. Scant consolation, as both he and scrumhalf Will Ulstein lay injured as the final whistle went, both looking to be out of the team for a while.

Chiswick team :-   Davies ( Donaldson ), Nichols, Campbell,  Pickering E, Johnson, Maguire ( Fletcher ), Pickering A, Nicolle, Ulstein, Luckman, Miller ( Zakrevsky ), Coffey, Jones, Lewis, Hammond

October 19, 2006