Saturday 14th September saw the 2XV take on Kings College Hospital. Horn Park was glistening in the sunshine and the occasion was set for the 2s who were looking to find a quick response after a narrow loss to a tough Footscray side the week before.
With the game commencing at 3pm, OCs struggled to gain a foothold inthe game with the first 30 minutes seeing them punished due to ill-discipline and many offside infringements. This resulted inthe 2s being repeatedly punished for their numerous mistakes, and saw Kings College Hospital build the a steady lead, The score line reflecting the very disorganised start meant OCs had to find a response to stop the rot and just after the half hour mark the fight back started.
The game had seen it’s fair share of yellow cards, (before the break had even began) OCs had a couple of moments of great team play after some fast thinking from numerous penalties. They got their first score through some excellent carries led by forwards Bill Ramdhan, Frank Blythe, Ed Berry, and finished cleverly by Alfie Bracken after a quick snipe near the goal line. As a result of this, the 2s were able to begin closing the gap before the break and began to realise how much more they still had to give in this game.
Thus, the second half saw OCs left with a real uphill battle still to be fought, but after seeing late success during the first 40 it was now one they could start to believe in.
Unfortunately, the second half saw OCs start off in similar fashion with Kings College Hospital running rampant through the middle and down the wings. However, thanks to the OCs fullback (who had been solid throughout the first half as well) they were able to keep the score line much closer with the 15 making multiple last line tackles assisting the side in their mission to get back in the game.
However despite the score line there was a real sense that the tide was turning and numerous awe-inspiring moments within the second half led by the forwards, who once again had huge impact getting on the front foot taking quick taps at the penalties and making multiple line breaks as a result of one of these the left winger Tyreece Akinola saw himself bag his first of the game he later claimed his second after some fast thinking from the OCs number 15 who perfectly placed a cross field kick straight into the path of the winger who had a simple run in from around the half way.
After the fullback converted the additional 2, OCs were now hoping to gain a bonus point from the game. But once again, the referee saw to his pocket and handed out a generous amount of yellow cards and even a red within the final moments of the game. Thus, after a number of good chances blundered due to silly errors, the 2s saw themselves leave the bonus point out there as the final whistle blew leaving the full time score as 53-17 which was hard to swallow
Now, as much as the scoreline reflects what happened within the game, individually a number of players put their bodies on the line. It would be unfair for me to name those that i believe did in fear of leaving out anyone, but those players could walk off the pitch knowing that they gave their all to that game and there’s nothing else that you can ask from the player next to you to give. However, as learned this week, rugby at a senior level isn’t a game that can be won through a number of good individuals and rather must be a team collective. You have to make your tackles get back to your feet and go again if not the opposition will take advantage
Despite a second loss this week there are still positives to be taken from those moments of great team play. However, with a long season ahead, it is beyond important that the 2s see themselves bond and gel as a team with many new faces and younger players joining the squad. Lots to work on before a trip on the road to Bromley this week. As ever, a big thank you to those who made the trip to support the 2nd XV.
In closing a big positive was the fitness level shown as a collective with Kings College Hospital acknowledging they were more pleased to hear the final whistle that we were
MOTM: Ed Berry
Conall Drislane
