Too much festive cheer?

A&C A Team Squad – Jake Wilkins, James Bunce, Ed Griffiths, Harry Bradshaw, Matthew Dewhurst, James Churchman, Sid Dey, Alfred Mawdsley, Devon Owen, Monty Weatherall, Ross Hanekom, James Tunney, Huey Chadwick, Blake Morris, George O’Keefe. Subs: Adam Fairley, Harry Spennewyn, Isaac MacDonald, Zac Collingbourne.

We presented the OAs with a strong line up including the return of James Tunney and a special guest appearance from Ross Hanekom. However, the question on most parents' minds was, ‘Have the players had too much festive cheer over the seasonal period?'

A&C started well, playing the majority of opening play in opposition territory.
The team was working together with the forwards rucking over strongly. However, penalties started to be given away by A&C for repeated offences giving the opposition the advantage. OAs were pushing into our half at one point purely through penalties.
Our defence had much improved over previous fixtures. A special mention to go to Ross Hanekom and Ed Griffiths for bringing the opposition to the ground quickly and effectively through tackling. A well balanced first half at nil-nil.

The second half started with OAs pushing well into our half showing determination.
At the end of the third quarter, A&C ran strongly out of their own half. Monty kicked to Blake on the right wing, Blake took the ball forward down the right hand side before passing to James T. James cut back inside and ran through three tackles before scoring under the posts. Monty converted. We were leading 0-7.
After the kick off, A&C played for territorial position and worked slowly but surely up the pitch playing a full 5 mins in Old Albanian’s 22. Finally, the pressure paid off again, the ball flew out of the ruck and James T pounced to score again. Monty converted.
In the last quarter, A&C managed to score a final try. Devan took quick ruck ball passing quickly along the back line to Huey, on to Ross and through to Blake who scored in the left hand corner. No conversion this time, but with 19 points tucked under our belt it wasn’t essential.

A strong game by all and great result.
Final score: 0 - 19

This was A&C’s first victory in the ‘Super 10’ league with OA’s having lost all 3 matches played (the others being Southend & Old Elthamians). Our final game of the league is against Hove in March.

Scribe – Lawson Shepherd