Our rearranged OBB Div 2 A team league match v Windsor had finally arrived, in glorious sunshine on pitch 1 at Lily Hill Park on a bitterly cold day. A few injuries and absences meant a slight shuffling of the squad, but we kicked off downhill feeling optimistic about our chances.
Contrary to our usual slow start, we broke immediately into the Windsor half, and some good interplay and phases allowed Liam to score in the left corner. He slotted the extras for us to lead 7-0. Windsor then had a long spell of possession, ending up camped in our 22, and eventually crossed our line but the green defence held them up with no score. After some chances for both teams, we stole the ball just inside their half and Scott managed to break away and score down the right wing. We couldn't manage the conversion but it was 12-0 and looking promising. Windsor then hit back again, and we were stuck in our half, and then managed a rare breakaway which led to a Windsor infringement just outside their 22. Liam narrowly missed the penalty, but we took the 12-0 lead into half time.
Windsor started the second half as we started the first, and immediately broke through to score, making it 12-7. They continued to dominate with multiple phases of play, and our defence became stretched and broken, conceding a number of penalties. Windsor finally drove over and converted, so moved into the lead 12-14 for the first time in the match. We still couldn't assert any pressure or possession, but our defence was determined to the end, again driving back their attacks and holding them up short of the line when a try seemed certain. Final score was a 12-14 win to Windsor.
All the players should be proud of their efforts right up to the final whistle, and Head Coach Tubs Barrington will be looking to build on the excellent first half performance and cut out the errors we made in the second half.

by Phil Wells