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Tring 2nds v Old Albanians 2nds - Saturday 23rd October

Tring 2nds v Old Albanians 2nds - Saturday 23rd October

Rob Bray27 Oct 2021 - 11:56
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Match report from Doods

Tring 2nds took on local rivals, Old Albanians 2nds at Cow Lane. It had been a tough week with the squad only being made up of 14 players (some of whom were doing the club a favour) out over 100 people asked! That being said, every player and coach a like put in a shift on the day. The warm-up was sharp and accurate, led by Chad Kotze, Harvey Draper and Jonny Whitehead. With a William Wallace (Mel Gibson version) pre-match speech from myself, there was an air of party spoiling in the air.

Gratefully, Will, the OAs captain, agreed to match the numbers and they also fielded 14. The game started at a quick pace, Tring carried hard and kept the ball well, it wasn’t until an excellent breakaway try from the electric fullback that this was halted. Unfortunately, this led to a second try, putting Tring down by 14 before we even had a chance to have a breather. This brought about another fluid spell of tough rugby from Tring, Dan Wilton, Josh Eccles and Cameron Wilson all coming up with excellent carries pushing the much larger OAs pack backwards at times. This pressure was finally rewarded when an aggressive kick chase from full debutant and Hull Kingston Rovers Rugby League enthusiast Nick Arnell brought about a charge down in which Jack ‘flying pud’ Doodson picked up and started celebrating towards the post. Unfortunately, there wasn’t any cherry on top the pudding and I was brought down by a high tackle under the sticks. No card, no penalty try……no matter, the try came soon after as some strong forward carrying and some magic from Jake ‘the Snake’ Olley put Owen Roach in the corner. 14-7!

OAs reacted to this, running hard and spreading the ball on the wide pitch. Their returning first team second row was awesome alongside back rowers, pushing us back with every carry, sucking us all in the tackle area leaving space out wide for their rapid 15 to waltz over the line. The writing was now on the wall, 28-7 before half time and there wasn’t enough water in Tring to give the hard working forwards the energy they needed. With this being said, some kicking from hand from returning 1st teamer Olley and Doodson, the boys found themselves back in the oppos 22. On the stroke of the half time whistle, Dan Wilton was deservedly rewarded with his try. 28-14 at the break.

Now don’t worry, there isn’t actually much more to report, OAs fitness prevailed, and they ran in another try before the game started to turn slightly sour. Some more dogged try line defence from Tring, unfortunately led to a rather nasty injury to OAs hard running back rower George, fortunately the suspected broken ankle proved to not be the case and George managed to get to his feet eventually. With this delayed period of time and tempers rising (not to be mentioned that through injuries Tring were down to 12 by this point) Will and I decided it was time to call it with time left on the clock, leading to OAs running out deserved winners 33-14.

Dan Wilton was awarded MOM but quite honestly could have gone to any of the Tring boys on the day for a monstrous effort on the day. Special mentions must go to Jake Olley, Josh Eccles and Nick Arnell also!

What started off as an emotionally draining/frustrating couple of days, Saturday ended in a sense of jubilation, as the Tring boys really stood up and together to get the game on and actually make it a game. Going forward, myself, Hicksy and Dan Bon will work even closer to ensure we are fully equipped on a Saturday, with the aim of filling 4 sides again.

Next week the boys travel to Fullerians, eyeing up the opportunity to get our first win.

Final special mentions must go to Chad Kotze, Harvey Draper and Johnny Whitehead for coaching on the day and providing words of wisdom when I was out of breath and couldn’t speak.

Please all join me in wishing, club legend John Preston a happy birthday for last week. Not much longer in the 30s old boy.

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