Match Report by Lyam Denney

Streatham-Croydon RFC (Streats) made the short trip across to Surrey 2 side Old Walcountians (OW) in their final preseason friendly, taking a mixed side hampered by injury and holidays. Preseason is never about the result but blowing off cobwebs and getting game intensity practice in to work on attaching and defensive systems. The game nearly didn’t go ahead, with the home side concerned about the condition of the pitch, following a summer that had left a lot of pitches in a condition more akin to the Sahara than South London. Thankfully, the weather Gods answered our rain dance.

Coming up against opposition a league above is always a tricky affair, but for the first ten minutes all the rugby being played by Streats, getting into shape early and building phases. This, combined with intense defensive work, gave the visitors the advantage. Rugby, however, can be a cruel mistress and against the run of play, the home side scored first. A well worked move to the OW to the outside edges and finding space in the 5m channel the winger put a foot in touch. A hesitant home Lino began raising his flag, which halted the defensive efforts from Streats. Surprisingly, the flag then dropped so as the referee turned to see why the visitors had stopped, he saw no reason to blow his whistle. OW go under the posts. After some minor disagreements between the players, sideline staff and finally, acknowledgment from the host Linos indiscretion, the Referee decided he could, and ultimately would, stand by his on-field decision of try. The resulting kick converted to hand OW an unwarranted 5-0 lead.

Streats, understandably frustrated, reacted well and went straight back to applying pressure on their hosts. Not long after the restart, more good defensive work resulted in a turnover at the breakdown. The resulting kick to the corner presenting an attacking line out, unfortunately the constant gale that would hamper both sides was the winner of the lineout, resulting in a scrum OW. Conditions making exits difficult, sees the exit from the home side barely make the ten, and as the heavens opened, the game broke down. Bitty exchanges in the middle third saw some unforced errors and did not allow for the game to get past 3 phases. But it was Streats who got the better of the fractured play and began to build well, working their way down the righthand side. A lapse in concentration led to a misplaced kick and handed the ball back to OW and allowed them an exit and take the pressure off. After a few more exchanges, OW win a scrum just inside the Streats 10m and a quick pick and go off the back sees a break down left side, and OW finish a 2 on 1 well, conversion follows.
Off the kick off, the wind gets a hold of the game and holds the ball in the air, taking it straight into touch. OW win the scrum (despite some heavy Streats pressure), and build phases in the Streats half, with the defence scrambling, the OW backs utilised the overlap and score in the left corner, fantastic conversion sees the score 19-0.

Streats finished to quarter the stronger side again. A good attacking set from OW is subdued by the ever-impressive Streats defence, who have their own impressive attacking set. Loose ball at the breakdown hands the ball back to OW, but a sharp turnover by Sam Ward sees a penalty awarded. Quick tap by Emmet sees the ball through a few phases by eventually intercepted by OW and play breaks down for the end of the quarter.
The Second quarter was delayed ever so slightly, as problems of playing on public land see the lads accosting local dog walkers for a bag to remove the offending ‘intruder’ from the half way mark.
After a few phases in midfield, the visitors find themselves down in the OW 22. Having lost another lineout to the wind, which is now closer to a Category hurricane than an August weekend, the sides spend a few minutes re-setting scrums before OW eventually break from the back of the scrum, breaking a few tackles and making their way to just outside Streats 22. Good work from OW sees them break to the Streats right hand side, but excellent defensive work by Ray and Ryan snuff out the attack and force OW back. A kick through from OW is well tidied up by Emmet at the back and Alex and Ryan supported well to ensure we retain the ball. Exit from outside the 22 goes out on the full and OW have a line out back inside the 22. Good phase play from the hosts saw an overlap and break on the outside, thwarted again by another fantastic covering tackle from Ray. With Streats defence narrowed and defending the line, a smart Crossfield kick is well gathered and finished in the corner with another great kick takes the lead to 26-0.
A nifty restart from Ciaran plays havoc on the OW pack and a superb hit by Alex forces the ball loose and a short scrappy interchange sees Streats win the scrum. A great scrum from the visitors gives the backs a great platform for the first time in the quarter, nice interplay between Ray and Emmet sees Streats breaking down the right-hand side, but ill-discipline at the ruck sees a penalty against and an easy exit for the home side. Despite sustained pressure, some loose handling sees the ball loose and being hacked back into the Streats half and with OW threatening again Ryan was again key in the defensive effort, making a covering tackle and turnover, supported well by Alex (who, despite only expecting ‘a few minutes’, played the entire game) who kept the ball alive and allowed a Streats attacking set. As the weather worsened, the game broke up further, with more changes in possession, handling errors on both sides. But fast and loose suited the Maroon and Whites. As the hosts tried to work the ball wide, Emmet read the impending miss pass and broke up the play, with the ball on the deck, he hacked it away, Ray hot on its heels. A skilful pick up, turn of pace (even for an older chap) and fend saw Ray storm into the oppo final third. When he was finally snagged, Gabriel, who held his depth well took the offload from the deck and rounded the final defender to score in the corner. 26-7 OW.
From kick off, OW take a leaf out of the Streats book and kick short, with a fumble on receipt giving the hosts a scrum. Further phases and sustained pressure see the hosts break round the outside and, despite good scramble defence, OW score just before the break. 33-7 end of the second 20.
The third quarter started much how the second ended, with OW capitalising on the game now being exclusively fast and loose, scoring early in the third. Couple of penalties gave the hosts good field position, with them eventually scoring while playing with advantage, 38-7. OW were next on the scoresheet, a well work move against some tired defence put the hosts through with a 3 on 1 against the fullback, under the posts with a conversion. 45-7
Not to be deterred by two quick (and not entirely reflective of the balance of the game) Streats got creative on the restart. A short kick by Emmet (now playing at 10) was collected by Sam, redeeming himself for am fumbled kick off earlier. A few phases play through before some very slick forward interplay, with runners attacker wider channels and tips getting us in behind, before a lovely wide ass landed in the hands of Ryan, who stepped half of the oppo before a very tidy finish. Best rty of the game (no bias). Notable mention to Emmet for the grubber, sorry, attempted conversion. 45-12
OW took the All Black-esqe rugby from Streats badly, and found a resurgence, pinning the visitors back inside their 22. Further resolute defending from the heroic Streats defense stopped any further incursions into the Streats 22. Further impressive and resolute Streats play bookended the game, which was now being played in a tropical monsoon. A cleaver kick into space from Emmet and hotly pursued by Ray forced a knock on, and with the resulting advantage further meters into the oppo 22 were made, unfortunately, the clock was against the lads, as a further advantage stopped play and ultimately the game, as both coaches decided (having seen 3 injuries a piece) that an hour was enough.

One thing we all miss through the off season is the post-game festivities. Streats MoM was awarded to Emmet by the oppo, with notable mentions made to Ryan, Ray, Alex. DoD awarded to Captain for the day Sam Ward, for various indiscretions over the week, accumulating with deserting two of his team mates at HQ by ordering the wrong sized taxi.

We go again next week, with the league season beginning away at Old Glynonians.