Old Freemen's Rugby Football Club Archive September 1999 - May 2000

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1st XV Match Reports

OLD FREEMEN 19 V OLD REEDONIANS 0 (15 April 2000)

Saturday saw the final fixture of a long season for Old Freemen when they entertained Old Reedonians who are in a league five divisions above them. This fixture has now been running for over fifty years and since 1987 the Clubs have played for the ‘Gibbs’ trophy which was presented by the O.R. in memory of a past President of O.F., Roland Gibbs. The winner of the trophy would be the Club with the most sides winning on the day.

O.F. kicked off on Saturday in atrocious conditions against an O.R. side made up of 1^st and 2^nd XV players while their second team played the O.R. 3^rd side away.  The first fifteen minutes of the game fluctuated first one way and then the other with both teams being awarded penalties, which they were unable to convert. The players were attempting to play open rugby and the referee gave them the encouragement needed. The scrums were trying to dominate each other, which led to some ferocious tackling at close quarters. The backs were testing each other and the O.R. centre gave O.F. a number of problems throughout the afternoon.

Playing down the hill in the first half all the spectators expected the O.F. to kick to the corners and play rugby from there, but their kicking from the hand on Saturday did not make them as much ground as they would have liked. The O.F. lineouts were working better with MORRISON hitting the jumpers with the ball regularly. From one near the O.R. 10-metre line CRANE took the ball well and it was fed quickly to DAVIES at flyhalf who made a half break.

As he was tackled BEECH was on hand to carry the ball on before passing to MARCH who made ground before being tackled. The ball was won quickly from the ruck and fed to DAVIES who again made ground before passing to TYRELL the second row, who broke through the first tackle and then out paced the covering defence to score by the posts for DAVIES to convert easily.  O.R. made several attacks on the O.F. line but the defence stood firm until half time.

O.R. started the second half attacking the O.F. with long racking kicks to the corners, making the wingers hang back in defence to link with HILL the fullback. Although the O.R. lineout was working well they were unable to unsettle the O.F. or make much ground with the ball in hand. The O.F. scrum however was now beginning to sense that they were getting on top of O.R. and made several big driving mauls from their lineouts.

O.R. were awarded a scrum and with MORRISON hooking well all afternoon the O.R. won a messy ball which allowed the O.F. back row to harry the scrum half and as the ball went loose. SMITH the O.F. scrum half was through like a shot, kicked the ball on and raced over 30 metres to score just wide of the posts for DAVIES to convert.  Suddenly the game reverted to running rugby and O.F. now sensing a victory in the air started to run every thing. OLIVER on the right wing was given the ball from outside the O.R. 22 and was eventually bundled in to touch two yards from the try line. TRIBICK, who replaced MORELAND at halftime, had several runs at the defence, but O.R. were not about to give in easily.

Twice O.R. broke through the O.F. defence and looked likely to score, once on the right wing, which was stopped by a crashing tackle by BEEBE the O.F. prop. The second time the O.R. managed to set their left wing away with a clear run to the line, when TRYELL came from nowhere to not only tackle him but carry him right into touch to save a certain score. Soon after this tackle O.R. were awarded a lineout on their 10-metre line. The ball went loose and TRYELL gathered it and ran through the defence to score wide out to finish the scoring for the game.

In the Clubhouse after the game all the O.F. waited anxiously to hear how their second XV had faired and a great cheer went up when they heard they won by 22 – 5 .  Which made a clean sweep for the O.F. for the first time for many years.

MRS PAT GIBBS presented the trophy to the O.F. captain CHAS MARCH.

 So that finished the Old Freemen’s season on a high note. The Club has won 19 games out of 26 played and scored 856 points against 256. The first team squad seems settled for next season and although everyone is looking forward to the break the interest shown by the players in next season will hopefully continue the success story.

OLD FREEMEN V OLD BEVONIANS (01 April 2000)

After two dubious postponements, Old Freemen’s Surrey Division 3 fixture against Old Bevonians eventually took place at Ashtead Park on Saturday, with the home side rounding off a most successful campaign with an 18-10 victory. The win consolidated the Ashtead side’s position in second place – the question of promotion now lies in the hands of the RFU administrators. 

The narrow margin of victory disguised Freemen’s territorial superiority, their offensive and defensive squeeze forcing Bevonians to play much of the game in their own half. However, Bevonians defended stoutly and points were at a premium. The visitors started brightly when a bold run by their centre from his own 22 sliced, almost untouched, through the Freemen’s attacking formation and ended under the posts, making the conversion a formality. A JEREMY DAVIES penalty put Freemen’s on the scoreboard, followed by RICHARD HILL’S crashing dive for a try after 20 minutes. A well-struck penalty by Bevonians restored their lead, which they held until five minutes into the second half.

 A characteristic NEIL MORRISON heel against the head started the move which led to another DAVIES penalty. SIMON CRANE, MALCOLM BEECH and RICHARD PEPPER featured in many of Freemen’s better passages of play but, at 11-10, Bevonians were proving stubborn opponents. It needed some inspired play by lock ROB TYRELL to put Freemen’s beyond reach. He found himself on the right wing to and stormed in for a score to finish off a move which he had started from a line-out, also on the right hand flank. The initial attack had been  repelled but scrum-half DOMINIC SMITH, at his snappiest best, moved the ball left and then right to find the big man eager to add to his season’s try tally. DAVIES spiralled the conversion right and then left before it found its successful line between the posts to make the score 18-10. 

A big finish was anticipated by the Freemen’s spectators and they nearly got their wish  when NIGEL MIERS on the left wing was stopped just short of the try line after a move involving the hands of more than half the side had taken Freemen’s upfield from a stray Bevonians kick. Freemen’s ended winners by 18-10 but their joy at victory was tempered when centre, MATT BENNION, skipper in the absence of CHAS MARCH, was injured following a fierce piece of defence by Bevonians. Prop DAVE GOODE replaced him and the subsequent reorganisation gave JOHN GUTHRIE a chance to add to his reputation as one of Freemen's more versatile players. 

OLD FREEMEN V EGHAM (25 March 2000)

On Saturday Egham visited Old Freemen at Ashtead for their last league fixture which if they won by a large margin could lift them above O.F. in the race to win promotion to Surrey 2.

O.F. were without four of their first team squad and had to adjust to a number of positional changes, which included playing with a prop as a hooker.  Egham kicked off looking to gain the win they needed, and soon had O.F. reeling under their continuous attacks. O.F. really didn’t look settled at all and appeared to be playing on autopilot, and rather than keeping the ball to hand kicked much of their possession away.   In an effort to stop one of the many attacks O.F. went over the top and Egham took a quick penalty and moved the ball swiftly to their wing forward who speed through the centre to score near the posts for an easy conversion by their stand-off.

This score stirred the O.F. and they realised that Egham were not going to roll over easily. O.F. started to put together a number attacks into Egham territory and were awarded two penalties for offside, and Davies was able to convert one.   The Egham flyhalf using the wind wisely kicked his side back into a good attacking position in the O.F. 22.  From a scrum close to the try line the back row broke down the blind side and chipped ahead. Following up fast there was a helpful bounce and the wing forward scored in the corner while the O.F. stood and watched. This put Egham nine points in front and many of the spectators wondered if Egham were going to repeat the result of last season.

O.F. then bit the bullet and lifted their game. They went back into attack and played good rugby changing their angles of attack continuously. O.F. were awarded a penalty and Davies kicked deep into the Egham 22. From the resulting lineout Tyrell broke round the front in a well-worked move and scored wide out. At this time a heavy hailstorm was taking place, and yet Davies converted the try with a great kick, to reduce the Egham lead to two points.   From the restart the O.F. immediately attacked again. The pack drove the ball forward deep into the Egham half, and the stand in hooker Mills, carried the ball down the blind side and set up a ruck. The forwards quickly recycled the ball out to the backs and Bennion with room to gather speed cut inside the Egham defence and scored near to the posts for Davies to convert easily.    This score came just before half time and gave O.F. a lead of 17 – 12

The beginning of the second half saw the game swing from end to the other without either side gaining the upper hand and good defence was the order of the day. Egham had a purple patch midway through the half but were unable to cross the try line.   Gradually the O.F. pack started to gain the upper hand and in the last quarter were able to push Egham back in the set scrums putting their half backs under pressure from the O.F. back row of Tremaine, Guthrie and Beech. This slowed down Egham and frustration started to set in, and for a stamping incident O.F. were awarded a penalty and Davies kicked the goal.

O.F. could now see the game was theirs and from a set scrum in the Egham 22 they tackled the defending scrum half and from the resulting maul won the ball and Guthrie forced his way over the line to score wide.    This made the final score 25 – 12 which was a fine result for O.F. who had to come from behind to win the fixture. This win established O.F. as second in the league and they therefore gain promotion to Surrey 2 next season.   O.F. have one more league fixture to play against Old Bevonians, which has been rearranged for next Saturday 1^st April.

Team: Hill. Van Dort. Oliver. Bennion. Tribick. Davies. Dartnell. Goode. Mills. Pepper. Crane. Tryell. Guthrie. Beech. Tremaine. Subs. Innes. Beebe. Moreland.

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OLD FREEMEN  V  MERTON (19 March 2000)

On Sunday Old Freemen welcomed Merton to Ashtead in the semi-finals of the Surrey County Shield on a day which was ideal for running rugby.

Merton kicked off and for the first quarter of the game there was very little to choose between the two sides, except in the set scrums where Merton proved to strong for the O.F. pack.   The large crowd were entertained as both sides attempted to breach each others defence and some hefty tackling by both sides often had the spectators holding their breath in wonder as the players got up and carried on, not willing to let their side down.

Towards the end of the half Merton were able to push the O.F. off the ball as they defended near their line and attacked through four rucks before scoring by the posts for an easy conversion.    The Merton flyhalf was kicking beautifully and continually drove the O.F. back and from one kick an O.F. was penalised for knocking the ball into touch as he went to catch it. The flyhalf duly kicked the penalty, giving Merton a ten-point lead at halftime.    O.F. kick off the second half with the wind behind them looking to run the ball and play their type of rugby. Merton had by now sized up the potential of the O.F. backs and decided to keep the game close to their forwards, and although the O.F. pack strove for supremacy they were unable to gain control of the ball and were always under pressure from the Merton pack.

Half way through the second half Merton attacked the O.F. line and the home pack were able to stop Merton when they went for a push over try. From the resulting play Merton were awarded a penalty in front of the posts and as March the O.F. captain spoke to the referee, Merton took the penalty quickly and scored under the posts for another easy conversion.  From then on O.F. were playing catch up rugby and as the game progressed they managed a number of attacks but failed to score because the wrong options were taken. The pressure exerted by Merton meant that the O.F. backs were always under pressure and seldom were they able to show their full potential.  Merton held onto their lead and finished winners by 0 – 17

The O.F. team having already beaten three League 1 sides were not disgraced by the result, the whole team gave their all and every-one realised that they had lost to the better team on the day.   On Saturday O.F. return to their league fixtures with a game against Egham at Ashtead. O.F. lost to Egham last year and that loss cost them their promotion chances, so this year the team will be looking to ensure they win to maintain their chances of promotion.

Team. Hill. Oliver. Nicholls. Bennion. Van Dort, Davies. Smith. Beebe. Morrison. Goode. Tyrell. Crane. Beech. Guthrie. March (Capt) Subs. Pepper. Tribick. West. Moreland.  

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OLD FREEMEN  V  SURREY UNIVERSITY (11 March 2000)

Old Freemen returned to league rugby on Saturday knowing their recent successes in the Surrey Shield would mean little to Surrey University. The University had already caused problems to several of the other league teams and following last years fixture Old Freemen knew that they would have to be on top of their game to win.

This Old Freemen side is now a settled team, selected from a pool of twenty players, who are continually gaining confidence in their style of play. Their support play for each other continues to improve and their defence is now the best in the league.  O.F. kicked off and it soon became obvious that the University were lacking in the organisation and cohesion shown by the O.F. and were soon pressed back into their own half from which they were seldom allowed to escape.  It would appear that the University has been hit by injuries recently and as the end of their academic year approaches players have suddenly found that they have other priorities.

So what promised to be a hard fixture turned into a free running game with the ball being moved at every opportunity. The University worked their lineout well but in all other departments they were unable to cope with the power and ball retention of the O.F. Such was the pace of the game that both sides ran the penalties awarded rather than kick for goal.   Every time the O.F. gained possession they made ground and attacked at will, scoring at regular intervals.  The forwards drove the ball over the gain line before releasing their backs, and such was their confidence in each other, that the final tally of tries scored was equally balanced between them.

In the past O.F. have in games such as this, allowed their concentration to wander and made hard work of it. Not on this occasion, March their Captain stressed the need to continue to drive forward and score points.   Such is his influence on the team, when he had to leave the pitch late in the first half to be replaced by Beebe, the scrum reorganised and carried on as he had directed almost without missing a beat. However in their efforts to press home their advantage a number of passes were dropped or knocked on.

At half time the vice captain Bennion spoke to the team and said he wanted them to steady up and concentrate on the basics and to double the first half score of 0 – 36. In the end O.F. scored twelve tries, six by the forwards and six by the backs and Davies converted nine. Nine members of the team got their names on the score sheet which is a clear indication of the type of game they endeavour to play.  The forwards scored three push over tries allowing Beech to finally score four, with March and Tryell the other forwards scoring.  In the backs, the O.F. fullback Hill scored twice, and Bennion, Oliver, Tribick and Van Dort scored once.

Following the injury to Lister the previous week his replacement Nicholl settled into the back line without to many problems and worked with Bennion well.  It would be difficult to select any one player above another after the results lately, but Smith at scrum half had another good game, sniping well and sound in defence, Guthrie and Crane were once again seen to be rampaging all over the park. There are five players rotating in the front row and each one is making it really difficult for the weekly selection committee. This Sunday O.F. entertain Merton, another league one team, in the semi-final of the Surrey County Shield at Ashtead.

Team: Hill. Oliver. Nicholl. Bennion. Tribick. Davies. Smith. Goode. Morrison. Pepper. Tyrell. Crane. March(Capt) Beech. Githrie. Subs. West. Beebe. Van Dort.

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OLD FREEMEN V OLD WALCOUNTIANS (5 March 2000) 

On Sunday Old Walcountians visited Ashtead for the first time in many years to play Old Freemen’s in the quarter final of the Tetley’s Bitter, Surrey County Shield.

O.W. are not having a particularly good season in Surrey League 1 but were looking to improve their season by progressing further in the Shield competition.  O.F. are having a good season in Surrey League 3 and are hoping to gain promotion. However the previous weekend, their league fixture was cancelled and therefore as they prepared for Saturday’s fixture they were mindful of not having played for two weeks. Both sides arrived early and were soon seen out on the park preparing for what they expected to be a titanic struggle. It was evident that the O.F. would again be pitted against a much larger pack, which would require them to ensure retention of their ball at all costs.

O.F. kicked off and went straight into the attack driving O.W. back deep into their own half, with both packs striving for supremacy. The ball was won by O.F. and Davies their flyhalf kicked high into the O.W. 22.  March, the O.F. Captain, following up, caught the ball and drove on with his forwards arriving on mass, the ball was fed out and the O.W. were caught offside in the middle of the park for Davies to easily kick the penalty. O.W. appeared to be taken back by the ferocity of the O.F. and for the first quarter of the game were struggling. From another period of play the O.F. wing Oliver collected the ball ran 40 metres through the O.W. pack and covering defence before loosing his support players. A ruck formed, and O.F. quickly fed the ball across the back line only for the final pass, with the line at their mercy, to be adjudged forward. A scrum was awarded and O.W. were penalised for pulling the scrum down, which allowed Davies to kick his second penalty.

O.W. were now beginning to gather momentum and drove deep into O.F. territory and from a lineout in the O.F. 22 they gathered the ball and with their superior size drove the O.F. pack back over the line to score mid way from the posts. This was duly converted. Both sides were now settling into their routines and the game swung from one end of the field to the other with neither side able to really get an advantage over the other. The O.F. lost their outstanding centre Lister towards the end of the first half with a badly broken nose, and Van Dort came on as a replacement but the O.F. had to readjust their back division.

Near at the end of the first half O.F. attacked deep into O.W. 22 and won a lineout from which the ball was fed down the back line for a maul to form in the middle of the field at which the O.W. were penalised for coming in from the wrong side and Davies kicked the penalty for the O.F. to lead at half time with a score of  9 – 7. The second half started and O.W. immediately attacked the O.F. and were awarded a penalty in the centre of the park for an O.F. going over the top at the loose, which they converted with a fine kick.  The game then reverted to the situation before half time with both sides attempting to attack but the defences stopping any scoring chances. The O.F. pack were now beginning to get the better of the opponents and their superior fitness was beginning to show. The whole pack played well with the front row putting pressure on their opposite numbers, Beech and Crane were marauding all over the park, Tyrell was driving in the lineouts with devastating affect, and Smith at scrum half was always there ready to test the opposition defence.  The longer the game progressed the better the understanding between the O.F. hooker, Morrison and the jumpers became. They were taking the ball cleanly and driving the O.W. pack back many metres. One of the drives near the halfway line took them fully 30 metres before the O.W. were penalised for pulling the maul down.

Davies floated the penalty kick towards the posts and the O.F. followed up quickly and were awarded a scrum. The O.F were now really fired up and knew the game was there for the taking.   The backs made several attacks with Bennion trying to breach the gain line, and Hill from fullback making a number of darting runs, but the O.W. held them out. Still O.F. ran at the O.W., winning the ball in the lineouts so well and from one of their drives O.W. encroached offside in front of the posts and Davies kicked the penalty  O.W. were still not defeated because back they came into the attack and were awarded a penalty just inside their own half in front of the posts for O.F. going over the top. Both sets of supporters held their breath as the kick was taken and although the distance was good it just drifted to the side of the posts. There was one more lineout and the final whistle blew with the O.F. winning by 12 – 10.

Although Davies was voted man of the match, everyone in the O.F. side had a good game and it was extremely difficult to separate one from the other. Their support play for each other improves with every game, and their dedicating to their own tasks is there for all to see. Old Freemen have been drawn at home against Merton in the semi-finals of this competition with the draw to be played on Sunday 19^th March. This coming weekend the O.F return to league fixtures with a game away at Surrey University at Guildford.

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OLD FREEMEN  V  OLD CRANLEIGHANS (20 February 2000)

On Sunday Old Freemen played host to Old Cranleighans in the second round of the Tetley’s Bitter Surrey County Shield. The weekend was the thirtieth anniversary of the annual Jersey tour for the Club and many of the members left for Jersey on Thursday evening. However such is the spirit in the Club this year that the four members of the first fifteen who went on tour flew back from Jersey on the Sunday morning to play in this fixture.

Old Cranleighans having refused to play the fixture on an early weekend arrived at Ashtead with thirteen players and a make shift front row. The referee after consultation with both captains started the game on time, and Old Freemen kicked off.  The O.C. pack of six big men were not going to be an easy push over for the O.F. and right from the off the packs went hammer and tongs in to each other fighting for supremacy. The O.C. had their fourteenth player arrive after the first ten minutes and yet even with this extra man O.C. were unable to dominate the O.F. pack. The O.C. came down the field in a sweeping attack into the O.F. 22. The pairing of Lister and Bennion in the centre set the tone for the afternoon by tackling their opposite numbers so hard that the ball ran loose to be kicked ahead by March.

The O.F. quickly followed up and caught the covering defender with the ball in the O.C. 22 and were awarded a scrum.  O.F. won the ball and quickly fed Davies who seeing the O.C. defensive line coming up quickly kicked the ball across the pitch for the O.F. winger. Oliver caught the ball cleanly and then set off towards the try line with his opposite number to beat and two covering defenders racing across. He round one, handed off another and crossed the line with the other chasing him to score a fine try half way out, making the conversion easy for Davies. O.C. then put together a number of concerted efforts at crossing the O.F. line. From a number of lineouts O.C. were able to maul and drive for many metres with their heavier pack and yet even when they had sucked in the O.F. forwards the O.F. backs were able to drive their backs across the pitch with good drift defence and any scoring opportunity was easily stifled.  O.C. were awarded a penalty when one of their centres jumped into a tackle and was brought down in what the referee adjudged to be a dangerous tackle. The penalty was converted and that made the half time score 7 – 3.

The second half started and Davies was intent on getting the O.F. back into the O.C. 22 with long kicks to the corners. Unfortunately O.C. were dominant on their lineout and O.F. were unable to find their own jumpers, which made it hard work for their forwards. As the game settled down, with neither side looking able to break the stalemate, a moment of madness. Lister making a good tackle turned his opponent and a maul formed when the O.C. prop came in from the side in a dangerous manner and completely knocked out Lister. The referee called the prop over and gave him a red card and sent him off for an early bath. O.C. were now down to thirteen men and had no replacement front row forward. The referee decided to continue the game with unopposed scrums.

This change of circumstances took the O.F. by surprise and for a short period they were unable to adjust their game. Gradually they started to open up and continually move the ball running the O.C. defence back and forth across the pitch, winning numerous scrums. After several attempts O.F. broke down the blind side and their fullback Hill scored wide out.  Frustration started to show in the O.C. and they started to give away silly penalties, one of which was kicked by Davies. O.F. were now in full cry with everyone running and passing to keep the pressure on the O.C. by keeping them in their own 22. O.F. were trying their full repertoire of back moves and continually letting loose their forwards in close quarter rushes. Eventually the ball was fed through a number of pairs of hands before Oliver scored wide out, which Davies converted with a fine kick. This made the final score 22 - 3

This is the second first division side O.F. have beaten in this competition and the second year running they have beaten O.C. The O.F. were pleased with the result but were self critical and felt that they should have scored more tries, if better final passes had been given. This critical approach to their game can only lead to better things in the future and with important league fixtures in the coming weeks they must maintain their steady improvement.  On Saturday O.F. play host to Kings College Hospital, and there will a re-union of past players gathering to watch the match and enjoy an afternoon of social activities.

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OLD FREEMEN  V  LONDON CORNISH (12 February 2000)

On Saturday Old Freemen visited London Cornish in a league fixture.  London Cornish having transferred from Middlesex were achieving the objective of being one of the leading teams in this league. O.F. knew that they must win on Saturday if they wanted to pursue their ambition of promotion at the end of the season, not with standing that there are still a number of difficult league fixtures to follow. O.F. kicked off facing the sun and the wind and both teams set about gaining the upper hand. The two packs fought for supremacy and for the first quarter of the match there was nothing to separate them. O.F. gradually won supremacy in the line out with Beech once again outstanding. Their collection of the ball and driving from the lineout has become one of the features of their game and on Saturday against the strong wind it enabled them to gain many metres taking the ball out of their half into the L.C. half.

Well into the half O.F. were awarded a penalty for holding the ball in the tackle and March taking it quickly drove for the L.C. line only to be stopped one metre short. The Ball was recycled quickly and passed down the line for their second row forward Crane to score wide out. L.C. immediately came back in attack and as they ran at O.F. Lister intercepted and broke through their covering defence and as he was tackled passed the ball to Smith who scored by the posts making the conversion an easy affair for Davies. L.C. then put together a period of intense pressure on the O.F. line. Their forwards drove straight at the O.F.  playing good continuos retention of the ball and only sturdy defence by O.F. held them at bay, before they gave away a penalty in front of the posts which was kicked. L.C. then sensed that they were gaining the upper hand in the exchanges and immediately from the restart charged back into the attack and subjected O.F. to another period of concerted pressure which eventually lead to a try being scored wide, which was converted with a fine kick.

That made the half time score 10 – 12 and the O.F. captain in his talk at half time left his side in no doubt as to what was expected of them.

Unfortunately the L.C. captain must have said similar things to his side because they started the second half with all guns blazing. Now facing the wind they continued to carry the ball through their forwards with the old routine of, drive, over the gain line, go down, pop the ball to the support player, and drive again. Following one of these drives they released the ball, and with the O.F. forwards committed ran the ball wide and scored wide out, which was again converted with a fine kick. This made the score 17 – 12 and O.F. were now realising that they must up their game to win this important match.

Davies at flyhalf settled the O.F. by playing percentage rugby, using the wind to keep the L.C. penned in their own half and except for an occasional break out, that was to be the story for the remainder of the half. O.F. won a line out and drove forward and moved the ball out and from a period of pressure on the L.C. line their second row Tryell scored half way out for Davies to convert. The score was 17 – 19.  O.F. stormed back into the attack and L.C. went over the top and Davies kicked the penalty awarded. Score 17 - 22.  By now O.F. were sensing that L.C. were beginning to tire and their heads were beginning to drop.

The O.F. scrum had been steady the whole game, so when their prop Goode, who tore a muscle, was replaced by Pepper, the fresh pair of legs made inroads into the L.C. scrummage. From one of these scrums O.F. moved the ball quickly and working a well rehearsed miss move in the centre gave their winger Oliver the ball and he rounded his opposite number and ran round to score near the posts, making the conversion easy for Davies. Score 17 – 29.  L.C. were now giving away a number of penalties and the O.F. captain March, decided to keep the L.C. pinned into their own 22 with Davies taking the kicks to the corners.

With the clock ticking away another penalty was awarded just in the L.C. half, and Davies went for goal with the wind behind him, and the ball sailed over with plenty to spare making the final score 17 – 32. O.F. won the game but are still not firing on all cylinders. They must endeavour to pick up the pace around the park that was evident at the start of the season. The forwards are lagging and the backs although well rehearsed do not seem to have the sharp edge needed against the better sides. Having said that, the team is winning fixtures and can look forward to the future knowing that if they hit form they will take a lot of stopping. They also have the knowledge that their second team, which won 27 – 12 on Saturday, has players fighting for a place in the first team. This weekend O.F. are on their 30^th Annual tour to Jersey, but are also in the next round of the Surrey County Shield. Their opponents Old Cranleighans refused to play the fixture earlier so the Club will be fielding a side on Sunday at Ashtead

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 OLD FREEMEN  V  OLD ABINGDONIANS (5 February 2000)

Saturday saw Old Freemen visit a new club in the area Old Abingdonians in their first ever fixture. O.F. were looking to improve on their performance of the previous week knowing the OA were riding high in the league below them.  O.F. never have been able to play well on a Saturday morning and as soon as they kicked off on Saturday it was obvious that they would maintain that tradition. The first quarter of the game saw both sides attempting to play good rugby and OA were not inhibited by O.F. in any way. Their tackling knocked O.F. back on numerous occasions and their speed around the park often meant they had men over in the attack.

They were awarded a penalty it was taken quickly and their forwards set up a good maul released the ball quickly and the backs ran the ball wide eventually scoring under the posts for an easy conversion.  O.F. then realised that OA were not going to roll over and die easily and soon afterwards the OA ran the ball nearly the full length of the field before the O.F.’s two wingers were able to smother tackle the ball carrier and the attack was covered. Eventually O.F. drove the O.A. back deep into their own half and won a line out. The ball was taken cleanly and the pack drove over the line for West to score, which Davies converted. That made it seven each at half time.

The second half was punctuated with peculiar decisions, explained away by the referee that it was only a friendly game. O.A. played to the referee while O.F. became more and more unsettled.  Eventually O.A. set up a loose maul and broke out from defence to score wide out. O.F. then forced a scrum on the O.A.’s ten metres line, won the ball, their scrum half Dartnell went blind and kicked into the box, the fullback was caught with the ball by Tribick and were awarded a scrum. The forwards won the heel and took the ball on with Goode punching a hole through the defence before passing to Morrison who scored by the posts for Davies to convert, making the score 12 - 14.  There then followed a passage of play with both teams tearing into each other and the game swung from one end of the pitch to the other. Continuity seemed to be the order of the day with forward passes galore.

From one of these passages of play O.A. took the ball from an offside position and ran into score, thus making it 19 – 14. O.F. immediately came back on the attack with Oliver coming from the fullback position taking a high pass to break through the first line of defence before being tackled just short of the line, the forwards quickly fed the ball back and Tryell taking the ball at speed scored by the posts for Davies to convert making the score 19 – 21 with four minutes left to play.

Both sides still attempted to play running rugby and with time running out it appeared that O.F. had done just enough to win. Not so O.A. pressed forward in attack and for the first time in the match a penalty was awarded against them for going over the top. As the whistle was blown an O.F. forward going for the ball was adjudged to have stamped on the player, and the penalty was reversed. O.A. kicked the penalty and won the match 22 – 21

O.F. must look at their performances over the last two weeks because they have important league fixtures looming ahead. They know they are able to play exciting rugby and their defence has proved sound over the season. The forwards must be more mobile around the park and support their captain March who appears able to win ball at will. The team spirit remains high but their future results are in their own hands.

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OLD FREEMEN  V  KINGSTON (23 January 2000)

On Sunday Old Freemen travelled to Kingston to play the home side in the first round of the Surrey Junior Cup. Kingston are fourth in Surrey one which is two leagues above that of the O.F.  O.F. have never been to Kingston and had an easy game and they knew the home side would be looking for another victory. Kingston have always been able to field a large pack and Sunday was no exception. Kingston kicked off and soon put O.F. under pressure but having absorbed the early attacks O.F. made ground into the Kingston 22 and were awarded a penalty for going over the top which Davies converted.   This stung Kingston and they mounted continuous attacks forcing O.F. back into their own half for long periods. They often were able to move the ball wide and using their speedy wings tested the O.F. defence. On more than one occasion their over laps created scoring chances, but these were lost because of a bad final pass, often created by the pressure defence imposed by the O.F.

Kingston scored next when their winger received the ball in space, he kicked ahead and won the race for the line to score. Their next score came for a long period of pressure when the ball was recycled a number of times and their opposite winger dived over in the corner. This made the score 10 – 3 at half time.

March the O.F. captain quietly talked to his players during the break and encouraged them to see that the game was there for the taking. They now had the slope and everything to play for.  The first half had been mainly all Kingston and now the many O.F. spectators wondered what their team could achieve. They did not have to wait long. The first line out of the half was taken by O.F. and the forwards drove forward for thirty metres before they were pulled to the ground by the opposition, but from the ensuing maul the ball was fed to Davies who cut back inside and forced his way over to score, and then convert his try.

Suddenly the game changed and the O.F. were rampant running at the opposition and creating gaps in their defence. The forwards were able to drive at the lineouts, but were still having great difficulty in the set scrums. Smith at scrum half was snipping away at his opposite number and often was able to catch him in possession, he made a number of breaks down the blind side and was never lacking with his tackles on the big Kingston forwards. In fact the whole team tackled like demons, and throughout the whole game about five tackles were missed. Even if only a half tackle was made, the support was there in sufficient numbers to complete the task. Kingston could just not shake off the shackles, which the O.F. were imposing.

The O.F. forwards set up a maul in the centre of the pitch and March broke clear with the ball, ran at the defence and kicked over their heads and caught the full back in possession, the ball was won quickly and fed to Davies, who made a break before feeding Lister who scored by the posts, making it easy for Davies to convert. O.F. had to make a substitution when the second row Crane had to leave the field with an injured shoulder. Beech slide into the second row and Hawes came on as a replacement. Beech continued his good work in the lineout with the help of Tyrell. From another good drive Tryell was able to make a break before feeding the ball to Bennion who crashed through the defence making ground over the gain line supported by March. They then won a penalty in front of the post because Kingston went over the top in an effort to stop the attack.

Kingston then threw everything into attack and ran the ball from all over the pitch and certainly on one occasion appeared to have breached the O.F. defence but somehow the defence regrouped and extinguished the opportunity. O.F. attempted to keep the play in the Kingston half, and Kingston were now giving away silly penalties in their frustration. Eventually one of their props was penalised for dirty play and Davies slotted the ball between the posts. O.F. won the game 10 – 23 and it was a complete team effort. Never did they leave a colleague on his own in any situation and the support given to each other is breeding an air of confidence throughout the whole team.  This Saturday O.F. return to the league fixtures with a match at Ashtead against Croydon.

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OLD FREEMEN  V  OLD SUTTONIANS (15 January 2000)

Old Freemen took the field on Saturday without their captain March, who was out of the country, and four other team and positional changes, to participate in a very important league fixture which they needed to win in order to keep their hopes of promotion alive.  Old Suttonians have never been an easy team to beat and in the opening exchanges it was soon evident that their large pack would provide a stern test for the O.F. After approximately fifteen minutes O.F. won a lineout and drove O.S. back some thirty metres before releasing their backs and Lister in his familiar style ran at the opposition and broke through to score leaving five would be tacklers in his wake. Davies converted. Soon after this the forwards won quick ball from a maul and Bennion took the ball running hard and straight and side stepped the fullback to score. This score gave a clear indication to O.F. scrum that the game could be won by giving the ball to the backs, and harrying the O.S. into mistakes.

The next score was a clear indication of this fact. Davies in his normal role as the general of the O.F. backs received a quick ball from the lineout and kicked deep into the O.S. 22. The O.S. fullback allowed the ball to bounce and as he attempted to pick it up the O.F. hooker Beebe raced up, dived on the ball knocking the fullback out of the way, picked the ball up and ran over to score. Davies converted. Beech who was leading the pack for the day won another lineout and Davies started the back running with a miss move in the centre which put the fullback Smith away who drew the cover before passing to Miers who ran for the corner. As he was about to be tackled he passed inside to give Davies, who was in support, to score an easy try. Davies converted. The half time score was 0 – 26

The second half started with a fine drive by O.F. from the lineout which took the scrum near to the O.S. try line before Davies receiving the ball quickly cut through the defence to score by the posts. He then converted the try. A penalty was awarded to the O.F. and working a dummy move the ball was taken by Bennion into a maul situation and on recycling the ball it was fed to Tyrell who crashed over for a try wide out.  Although the O.S. were having points scored against them they never once dropped their heads and continued to challenge the O.F. On a number of occasions they made concerted attacks which failed because of dropped or forwarded passes. The O.F. were pressed more than once but were determined not to allow their line to be crossed.  Towards the end of the game the O.F. forwards were beginning to see the rewards for their efforts in the set pieces as the O.S. started to tire. It was from a set scrum that the O.F. pushed the O.S. back a number of metres allowing Beech to hit the flyhalf as he received the ball, collected the ball and score close to the posts allowing Davies to convert.

O.F then produce the best score of the afternoon when they gather the ball and took play first one way across the field and then back across the field before feeding inside to Miers who scored, it appeared that every member of the team handled the ball. Davies converted. That made the final score 0 – 52. This coming weekend on Sunday O.F. are away to Kingston in the first round of the Surrey junior cup competition.

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OLD FREEMEN V SHIRLEY WANDERERS 2 (8 January 2000) 

For the third time on Saturday Old Freemen arrived at Ashtead to play a league fixture against Old Bevonians only to find that it had been cancelled and they were travelling to Addington to play Shirley Wanderers 2. The frustration of the situation was not helped by having to travel at the last moment, and the atmosphere in the changing room prior to the game, was a clear indication of the mood of the players. O.F. kicked off and for the first ten to fifteen minutes both sides were trying to establish themselves, with no one looking to make much progress against their opposite number.

 Suddenly a break by Oliver running across the field set up a maul and the forwards won quick ball which allowed Bennion to break through the centre before putting Lister over for the first try.  This appeared to set O.F. alight and they then went on the rampage with forwards and backs inter passing to score six times with tries by Tryell, Hill, Bennion, March, Lister and Oliver before half time. Davies converted three times making the score 41 – 0.  

The second half was a continuation of the first with the O.F. becoming a little to hurried giving their advantages away with silly mistakes. Both sets of forwards were on par in the set scrums, and on a number of occasions the O.F. were pushed back on their own ball, but around the park the O.F. were in control and made good use of the possession won.   Soon after the interval the O.F. No.8 Beech scored one of the best tries of the afternoon. He picked the ball up from the base of the scrum, and with the scrum half Smith drawing the opposition sold a wonderful dummy and ran fully 40 metres to score under the posts.  The O.F. then crossed the line three times from scrums but were called back on each occasion.  The other good try came from a set move where Davies at flyhalf passed to the outside centre who slipped a pass inside to the fullback Hill coming through at speed to score under the posts. Other tries were scored by Bennion and Oliver and three were converted by Davies making the final score 67 – 0

The junior sides who both played on Saturday support the progress of the first fifteen at O.F. The second XV winning 41 –10 against Mitcham 2 and the third XV winning 22 – 0 against Mitcham 3.

OLD FREEMEN  V  OLD JUDDIANS 3 (18 December 1999) 

On Saturday Old Freemen visited Tonbridge to play Old Juddians which was a new name in their fixture list. Old Juddians have recently combined with Tonbridge and are now fielding six sides. Their third side, which were O.F. opponents, have had a good season and should be a good indicator of where O.F. should be in the pecking order in the club circuit.  O.J. kicked off and for the first ten minutes the play moved back and forth with both sides probing the opponents defence and attempting to make ground. The first real attack came from O.F. when their wing Oliver made a fine break only to be called back for putting a foot into touch. O.F. won the resulting lineout and drove on, and then lost the ball. O.J. attacked and a fine smoothing tackle by Oliver in which he held up the O.J. winger allowed Lister to wrestle the ball free, and immediately start a looping run across the pitch before passing to the wing. Tribick made ground before passing inside to the second row Crane who drew the remaining defence before passing to Lister who scored by the posts. Davies converted.

This score settled the O.F. and set the standard for the afternoon with forwards and backs running the ball at every opportunity. In the past O.F. have been inclined to relax and let opponents back into the game but this was not going to happen with March continually urging the team on. The next score came from O.J. kicking ahead and Hill the O.F. fullback gathering the ball at pace, making a break before passing to Tribick who ran 25 yards to score. Davies converted. O.F. were awarded a penalty for a high tackle and Davies kicked to the corner. The pack won the ball and drove over to score. Davies converted. O.F. then sustained a period of concerted pressure which did not allow O.J. out of their 22 or even time to catch their breath. Eventually Crane broke through the defence, made ground and when stopped March and West carried the momentum on before the ball was released to the backs who fed the ball to Tribick who ran, cut inside and then out to score wide out. Davies who was in superb form converted.

By now O.F. were running everything and at times Davies at flyhalf needed to put the ball into touch to allow them to resettle. Another loose ball was won by the O.F. and their fullback Hill came into the attack making ground before passing to Oliver who drove for the line breaking three tackles to score half way-out. Davies converted. Suddenly O.J. started to win good ball and started to attack O.F. and after a period of sustained pressure they worked a switch move putting their centre over under the posts. This made the halftime score 7 – 35.

The second half started with Hall winning an O.J. lineout which allowed Bennion to break through tackles in the centre before passing to Hill who flat footed the defence to score wide out. This was to be the story for the second half. Lister made a break, put Tribick away, forwards won quick ball, the backs passed down the line to Oliver who scored. O.F. scrum half Smith made a break down the blind side, passed to Oliver who out paced the defence to score in the corner.  From a set scrum O.F. pressurised O.J. and from the ensuing ruck won the ball allowing their backs to work a switch move before Bennion floated a pass to Lister who ran in unopposed.  Davies converted.

O.F. lost the ball at one of their own set scrums, which allowed O.J. to start an attack which eventually put their winger over to score. O.F. were quickly back into attack and won a penalty. Davies kicked to the corner and Hall again won the lineout allowing Tyrell to score in the corner. Davies converted.  O.J. were beginning to flag and the superior fitness of the O.F. was now evident with their ability to inter pass between forwards and backs in attack and yet still be first to the break down. It was from one of these situations where Beech made the ball available and it was fed to Tyrell who made ground before feeding Tribick who then drove through four defenders over the line with the O.F. forwards in support. The final score was 12 –71. The second fifteen won the fixture against O.J. 4 by 51 – 7.

This display by the O.F. was an indication of their efforts to play expansive fifteen-man rugby, and if they can continue to refine their interplay between forwards and backs they should progress in the New Year.   They now have two weeks relaxation over the holiday period but will be back in action on January 8 at Ashtead in a league fixture against Bevonians.

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OLD FREEMEN  V  REIGATE AND REDHILL (11 December 1999)

The game between Old Freemen and Reigate and Redhill on Saturday only took place following an inspection of the pitch by the referee, thirty minutes before the game was due to kick off, following the appalling wet weather in the morning. O.F. kicked off and put R & R under pressure, which lead to a penalty after ten minutes, converted by Nicholl . March again leading from the front made a great tackle on the opposing flyhalf which gave quick ball and allowed Lister and Hill to interpass the ball as they ran through the defence to cross the try line only to be called back for a forward pass.

O.F. were then awarded a five yard scrum and Beech broke from the back of the scrum and as he was tackled fed the ball to his supporting wing forward Guthrie who scored by the posts allowing Davies an easy conversion. R & R kicked off and O.F. immediately attacked taking the ball back into R & R half the forwards setting up good possession before feeding the backs who passed the ball right down their line allowing Hill to score in the corner.  West, Beech and March were now playing at their very best and with the other forwards supporting them good possession was being won allowing the backs to show their potential. The next score came from a lineout won by O.F. who then drove on for ten to fifteen yards before releasing the ball, allowing the backs to run at the defence before the ball was passed to Nicholl who had looped round onto the wing. He sold a beautiful dummy to the opposition and then powered to the line to score wide out.

By now O.F. were completely in control and the support play between the forwards and the backs was continually breaking down the R & R defence. A penalty was awarded for going over the top and Lister quickly fed Bennion who broke through to score behind the posts for Nicholl to convert. The score at half time was 27 – 0

The second half started with O.F. being knocked back into defence by R.&.R. who were running about as though they were supercharged. They were awarded a penalty in front of the posts and while O.F. were preparing for a kick at goal they took a quick penalty and ran the ball scoring in the corner. Many of the spectators thought about the recent games which were lost in the last five or ten minutes and wondered if the same thing was about to happen.  March quickly rallied the team with a few words of encouragement and they went straight back on the attacked. O.F. were then awarded a penalty when a R & R player was given a yellow card for dangerous play. O.F. kicked to the corner won the lineout and drove fully twenty-five yards over the try line only for the ball to be held up by the defence. O.F. were awarded another penalty soon afterwards which was taken quickly and the substitute hooker Beebe received the ball, he then sold two dummies and scored wide out.

O.F. were now in full flow and the forwards were continually making ground, winning good lineout ball and causing R & R all sorts of problems with their support play. Davies was dictating the variation in the play between the forwards and the backs, with little kicks over the defence or feeding the ball back inside to the forwards. O.F. won another scrum and quickly fed the backs who then interpassed and ran the ball up the field until they were forced into touch in the corner. O.F. won the line out and again drove from the lineout over the try line allowing their other substitute Pepper to score wide out, which Nicholl converted. From the restarted R & R made a clean break and put their winger away and only desperate defence by the O.F. fullback Hill stopped them scoring. O.F. were able to regroup and when they won good ball they started an attack from their own 22 with the ball passing through nine pairs of hands before Bennion scored in the corner.

O.F. were still not finished and their superior fitness was now evident as they continually attacked. The forwards were now pushing R & R off their own ball and from one such scrum Beech took the ball and set up a maul which started a period of play were the forwards mauled and rucked four times winning good ball before releasing the backs, Elliott cut inside fed Hill as he was tackled, Hill made a half break and as he was tackled passed to Lister who scored.  This made the final score 49 – 5. The team played well in the adverse weather condition with the pitch being very heavy and greasy, but one of the best aspects of the game was the low number of penalties given away. The support play was a great improvement on previous weeks and if this improvement continuous the future looks bright for the O.F.

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OLD FREEMEN V OLD RUTLISHIANS (4 December 1999)

On Saturday Old Freemen played Old Rutlishians in a friendly fixture at Ashtead, once again having to make a number of team changes because several players were involved with assisting a fellow member celebrate his wedding, prior to the event.

O.F. kicked off and the O.R. were straight into the attack and put the home side under considerable pressure. They won a scrum against the head in front of the posts and score wide out. At this time it appeared that the O.R. would overrun the O.F. but their defence held.  Lister made one break out of defence and ran over sixty yards before cutting back inside thereby losing his support players. O.R. won the ball and kicked down the pitch for position and were awarded a penalty which was converted.  From the restart O.R. attacked and were awarded another penalty which was converted. At this stage O.F. were giving away penalties at will and their penalty count was similar to the two previous weeks and it was obvious that the referee would have been within his rights to start warning O.F. for their continual infringements.  For a period prior to half time O.F. were able to mount a sustained period of pressure and from a maul in front of the visitors posts their No 8 Beech, who had another storming game, went over to score wide out. O.R. stung by the score drove back and were awarded another penalty which they converted with the last kick of the half. Score 5 – 14

The second half started with both sides striving to make headway and the O.F. appeared to realise that the game was there for the taking and suddenly raised their work rate. In their own half they drove the O.R. back in the scrum and Lister made another break before putting Hill away who was eventually tackled in the O.R.‘s 22. From the line out, March again leading from the front, drove down the blind side and then released quick ball which the backs moved down the line making a break in the centre before putting their wing Miers over in the corner. This was converted by Davies. This further ignited O.F. and they again attacked realising that their backs had the beating of the O.R. and from the pressure were awarded a penalty, which was kicked to the corner. They won the lineout and drove forward again only releasing the ball when they had drawn the defence into the maul which then allowed Lister to score near to the posts for Davies to convert easily.

Before O.F. had time to realise that they had taken the lead and resettle O.R. kicked off won the ball and fed their left wing who broke through the tackle and beat the covering defence to score in the corner.  The game then developed into an exciting contest with play ranging from one end to the other and people tackling like demons to stop any further scores.  The final score was 19 – 22 with O.F. scoring three tries to two however they lost the game because of the penalty count against them.

This is the third week running where O.F. have lost the game in the last five minutes of the contest and their penalty rate has been so high. They must now regroup and stop the penalties and allow their adventurous backs to attack at every opportunity.  This week O.F. return to league fixtures with a match at Ashtead against Reigate and Redhill.

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OLD FREEMEN V LIGHTWATER (27 November 1999)

Old Freemen travelled to Lightwater on Saturday to play against the team at present leading the league, with their team still unsettled due to injuries. O.F kicked off and were immediately put under pressure by Lightwater, who from a well worked move put their full back over in the corner for a try, which was converted. Gradually O.F. started to put their game together and Davies put a kick deep into Lightwater’s 22. From the lineout O.F. attacked and won a vital ruck and ran the ball first one way and then the other before Lister was able to feed the forwards with Tyrell eventually diving out the line to score. Nicholl converted.  

Soon after the restart Lightwater were penalised for a dangerous tackle by their prop on the O.F. fullback and decided to run the ball and were awarded another penalty in front of the posts which was kicked by Davies. This made the half time score 7 – 13

The second half started with Lightwater continually driving with their heavier forwards and they were soon awarded a number of penalties for handling on the ground and they converted one of these. From the next penalty Lightwater took the ball and their forwards drove forward and score by the posts making the score 17 – 13 with ten minutes to go. O.F. were then awarded a penalty and kicked for the corner and from the lineout drove over for their captain March to score wide out, this made the score 17 – 18 with five minutes to go.

O.F. then appeared to lose the plot.  A wayward tap back from the line out lead to a scrum and Lightwater scored, and then a drive from a lineout let Lightwater in again making the final score 31 – 18.  O.F. must follow the lead of their captain March if they are to challenge for the lead of the league, he is playing some of the his best rugby but needs much more support from the pack if the good possession gained is to be retained.

This Saturday O.F. entertain Old Bevonians in their re-arranged league fixture.

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OLD FREEMEN V TEDDINGTON (20 November 1999)

On Saturday Old Freemen returned to Bushy Park to replay the 3^rd round cup match with Teddington following the abandonment of the game in extra time the previous week.  O.F. fielding a side with four changes from the previous week took the field and were taken back by the Teddington onslaught. They attacked briefly in the first two minutes of the game when Oliver broke out of defence to put Tyrell away on a long run for the line. Unfortunately he was caught five yards from the line and Teddington immediately took the game back down the hill into O.F. half.

The game was a hard physical encounter with neither side giving any ground, and the tackling as ferocious. Twice O.F. broke out of defence and were awarded penalties when Teddington were offside. Jeremy Davies converted both.  Teddington kicked one penalty and then shortly before half time worked a switch move in their backs to score wide out.   At half time with the score being 8 – 6 and playing with the slope the O.F. looked in a strong position to take the match.   

Teddington started the second half like men possessed and forced the O.F. onto the back foot not giving their scrum half Elliott, any time to dictate the pattern of play. Teddington were up on the O.F. backs, and their forwards seemed to be able to kill the ball at will. It would be fair to say that although the game started in the right spirit, the control exercised by the referee allowed some friction to creep in towards the end of the game.

Teddington kicked another penalty in the second half, to make the final score 11 – 6.   O.F. even with the enforced changes to their team did not do themselves justice on Saturday and must now pick themselves up on their return to league rugby this weekend when they visit Lightwater.

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OLD FREEMENS V TEDDINGTON (13 November 1999)

Freemen’s 1^st XV travelled away to Bushy Park for their Tetley’s Bitter Vase 3^rd round clash against Teddington Rugby Club (formerly called Antlers).  The two teams met in the league in the previous season, when Antlers beat them in a close contest.  Due to “navigational problems” and traffic conditions several of the Freemen’s players were late to arrive and without a proper pre-match warm up the game kicked off with the away team having the slope advantage.  

It was a very physical game with both sets of forward working very hard against each other.  Teddington gave away a penalty early in the first half converted by Jeremy Davies, giving Freemen’s a 3-point lead.  Shortly after the penalty, a line out was awarded to Freemen’s and their training really paid off. A rehearsed move worked a treat after a perfect throw in by Mark Beebe was caught by Simon Hall, put down to second row Rob Tyrell who went marauding up the blind side and over the try line putting the away team 8 points ahead.  The conversion was missed and Teddington were later awarded a penalty leaving the score 11 – 3 at half time.  

The second half was equally tough with both sides shutting each other down as soon as an attack was made.  Freemen’s forwards were a little too keen and gave away another penalty which was converted putting the score at 11 – 6.  This score remained the same for the rest of the half with the tension mounting as Teddington tried again and again to breach the Freemen’s defence.  The home side was awarded a dubious penalty in front of the posts with two minutes to go. Being 5 points behind they had to opt for a scrum which was reset three times and finally with what seemed like players everywhere, the Teddington full back went over the line in the right hand corner.  The try was not converted leaving the score at 11 – 11 at full time.  

This meant that 10 minutes each way of extra time would have to be played.  With about seven minutes of extra time played, the Teddington prop went down with a calf injury and their captain approached the referee claiming it was too dark to play on.  After a discussion between the captains, the whistle was blown and the final score was 11 – 11.  

Both teams now wait to see if the game will have to be replayed or if Freemen’s will gain the away advantage, which would put them into the 4^th round.  It was a real team effort, with great play all round and proved a fantastic final match for prop Justin Gilbert who is emigrating to Canada.  Man of the match was awarded to left wing Alex Tribick whose defensive play was superb. Old Freemen’s meet Old Bevonians at Ashtead Park for their third league game of the season next Saturday.

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OLD FREEMEN  V  KCS OLD BOYS (6 November 1999) 

Old Freemen took the field on Saturday for this friendly fixture missing several regular first team players, and because of an earlier start to allow the players to watch the World Cup Final not properly prepared for the kick off.  KCS kicked off and hit the ground running completely surprising O.F. by driving deep into the O.F. half, and pressurised O.F. into giving away a penalty in front of the posts for an easy penalty.

O.F. could not cope with their opposite numbers taking the ball at speed and running directly at them, and were continually driven back because of failing to make the first tackle count on the gain line. They were continually being penalised for offside and will need to address this in the coming fixtures. O.F. came out of defence once and attack KCS but were unable to ground the ball over the try line. KCS were a well balanced side working good switch moves and kicking the penalties and deserved to turn round at half time leading by 21 – 0. 

In the second half O.F. with the wind at their backs started to play with more determination. They took the game to KCS but when you play catch up rugby against a side who pressurises your every move mistakes happen, and KCS capitalised on every mistake, eventually winning by 40 – 0.   This game will have shown O.F. that there is still room for improvement and they should take heed of the lessons learnt on Saturday. They return to competitive fixtures this weekend with the next round of the Vase Cup when they are away to Teddington.

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OLD FREEMEN V  OLD REIGATIANS II (30 October 1999)

On Saturday Old Freemen took to the field itching for a game of rugby following the cancelled fixtures in the two previous weeks and were looking to the Reigatians to provide a stern test prior to them returning to league and cup fixtures. O.F. kicked off and went straight into the attack and immediately put O.R. under pressure and were awarded a penalty, which they kicked to the corner intending to maintain the pressure.  From the lineout O.F. ran the ball at the defence and scored wide out. This was not converted.

From the restart O.F. resorted to the same game plan and kept the game in the O.R. half, with the forwards and backs linking well in attack and as they continually crossed the gain line.  O.F. won clean ball at a line out and the backs were stopped short of the line but the forwards again won quick ball from the ruck and ensuing maul to put the scrum half over by the posts. This was converted.

O.R. then put together a concerted attack and drove into the O.F. half only to be stopped by stout defence and were immediately driven back and gave away a penalty, which was kicked to the corner. From the lineout the O.F. standoff took the ball back to the forwards opening up the defence for the O.F. No8 to take the ball on the burst to score half way out. The try was converted.

The O.R. although doing well with their own lineouts were unable to cope with the O.F. lineout work and it was not long before the home pack drove over the line from a lineout for the wing forward to score. This was not converted. The ball was taken cleanly from the restart and the O.F. immediately ran the ball back at the O.R. Their centre broke through and released the full back who ran in to score near the posts. This was converted.  O.F. were now beginning to fire on all cylinders and although people were making the initial break they were looking for the support player and making sure of their passes. O.R. began to feel as if they were chasing shadows but never gave up the chase.

The O.F. fullback took a kick ahead from O.R. and made a break down the wing before passing inside to the wing forward supporting him who scored by the posts, allowing an easy conversion.  The pack then drove the ball to the corner, won quick ball for the backs that allowed the fullback to come in, to give the wing an easy score in the corner.

This gave a half time score of 43 – 0

Following half time O.R. immediately attacked O.F. and won a penalty which they kicked to the corner. The game then swung back and forth with O.R. keeping the pressure on but from a set scrum O.F. won the ball and passed the ball through their backs for the whole length of the field to score near the posts for an easy conversion. O.R. kept the pressure on using the wind intelligently and only stout defence by O.F.  stopped a number of scoring chances. O.F. went offside in front of the posts and O.R decided to run the ball and it travelled back and forth across the field but they were unable to breach the defence. O.F. won the ball from a ruck and ran the ball out of defence before their centre broke through to release the wing forward to score wide out.

By this time the O.F. forwards were on top of the opposition and winning good ball. The final score came from the forwards winning good quick ball and feeding the backs allowing the centre to work a switch pass with the full back allowing him to score by the posts for an easy conversion. This made the final score 62 – 0.  Old Freemen are now settling into a useful unit with the forwards working hard to provide their talented backs with good ball. The spirit in the camp is good and the Club is looking forward to the remainder of the season.

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OLD FREEMEN   V  LONDON MEDIA (18 Sept 1999)

On Saturday Old Freemen travelled to Battersea Park to play their bogy side London Media in the first round of National Tetley’s Bitter Vase competition.

O.F. kicked off into a strong wind and were soon putting pressure on the Media around their 22 and won a penalty wide out which was missed. Media dropped out long and the play surged back and forth as both teams attempted to dominate each other. At this stage Media’s heavy pack was going well and only good tackling by O.F. kept them at bay.

At a line out just in the Media half O.F. won scrappy ball and Jim March drove over the gain line into Media’s territory. From the ruck the ball came back to Gilbert who committed Media’s defence before chipping over their heads and racing through to collect the ball and score wide out.  O.F. kept up the pressure and were soon awarded a penalty for Media going over the top. This was converted by Davies.

Media started to use the wind with long kicks into O.F. half and then ran the ball playing good support rugby but O.F. defence held until their scrum half left the field for treatment to a shoulder injury and Media took the opportunity to score under the posts. This try was converted.   O.F immediately took the game back into Media’s half and were awarded another penalty which they kicked into the corner. From the line out the pack won the ball and drove over the try line for their captain Chas March to score.  Media then put together their best efforts and put O.F. under considerable pressure just prior to halftime and only two fine tackles from the fullback Hill stopped then scoring.

With the advantage of the wind O.F. started the second by kicking deep into Media territory. The O.F. fullback came into the line and drove for the corner forcing Media to give away a lineout in the corner. O.F. went for another drive but Media aware of this ploy kept their line clear.  O.F maintained the pressure for lengthy periods and their forwards were beginning to wear down Media's heavier pack. A kick out of defence by Media was collected by the O.F. fullback who ran the ball back linking with the forwards who carried on the attack before setting their backs free with Lister withstanding a strong tackle to score wide out.

Media then surged into O.F. territory using their heavy forwards on crash balls but O.F. withstood the pressure and eventually a long kick out of defence saw O.F. back in Media’s half. O.F. won a penalty in front of the posts, took a quick kick and set Tyrell loose on a powerful run for the line. From the ruck the forwards quickly won the ball and fed the winger Oliver who withstood the tackle to score in the corner.

Media still found the energy to come back and pressure O.F. but by this time the pre-season training by O.F. was evident and they were able to smother all the attacks, with a number of the Media forwards dragging themselves round the park.  It is early in the season but if O.F continue to work on their support play and carry on defending like they are, the team appears to have the potential to progress this season with the hard work from their training sessions being evident on match days.

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OLD FREEMEN  V  KINGSTON II (11 Sept 1999)

Old Freemen started their season on Saturday at Ashtead with a friendly fixture against Kingston II, who were also playing their first fixture. Freemen were looking to involve all the players in their first team squad during the game prior to their first round Cup-Tie against London Media on the 18^th September. Having lent Kingston two players the game got underway with O.F. kicking off and scoring a drop goal by Jem Davies within the first minute.

The game then became a typical first game of the season with both sides taking time to settled down, hurrying their passes, and trying a little to hard. Because of the weather the referee sensibly allowed a continuous supply of water to be provided to the players during the game.   O.F. gradually won control in the set pieces and gave good possession for their backs to exploit. On numerous occasions the backs made headway over the gain line making it possible for the forwards to support and continue the attack with close passing and then provide good second phase.

The O.F. eventually won the fixture 41 – 5, and with Kingston never giving up the game the fixture proved to be just what the O.F. needed prior to their Cup match.

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Easter Tour 2000 Report

Committee

The Summary (28/04/2000)

Good Friday 21 April

The early risers for the golf at Moors Valley Golf Club were disappointed to hear that heavy rain had left the greens unplayable so they would have to wait and see if Saturday's golf would still be on.  No complaints from Patrick, manager of Sandhills Caravan Park. Yet. Meeting at the Star Ringwood, OF's found that the pub was under new management who had no idea that over 100 people would be descending upon them at lunchtime for food and drink.  Tour diplomat Bailey promised to phone in advance next year to give them some notice.  Simon Gibbs AKA Simone turned up looking like a very sexy lady whilst celebrating his birthday.  The team, captained by Tom Innes was picked in the usual "who fancies a game" fashion  and at 2pm they headed off for Picket Post for the annual fixture against Ellingham.  The weather was fine and after the kick off at 3.05pm (delayed due to a pantomime horse and cow running around the pitch) it was fairly obvious OF's were going to dominate the play.  The half time score was 27 - 7.  OF's made 4 substitutions and scored within seconds of the ref restarting the half.  The final score was  54 - 7 and OF's celebrated a good win over Ellingham who laid on a great spread of food for us afterwards.

Team: Goode, Morrison, Pepper, George, Innes, Tyrell, Beech, Holmes, Dartnell, Davies, Emerton, Miers, Tribick, Moreland, Gibbs. And man of the match John Winch whose try will go down in the annals of history.  Whose annals, I'm not sure but they'll be there.

Substitutes: Beebe, Bennion, Nickoll, Oliver, Van Dort

Friday evening saw the tourists meet up in the Haven Pub, the night finishing off with a good sing-song and several semi-clad players "Singing in the Rain" before "Heigh-ho-ing" out of the pub on their knees.

Easter Saturday 22 April

Early Saturday morning Roger Seymour's carefully orchestrated organisation saw the golfers set off for Meyrick Park and 14 of them played in the golf competition. (results on Sunday's page)  Ronnie bumped into Patrick, manager of Sandhills Caravan park showing clients around.  Patrick said to Ronnie: "You've been here since Thursday. That's Thursday night, Friday night and now it's Saturday morning.  Every morning I come into the office and there are no complaints about the noise. What's wrong?" Ronnie just smiled contentedly. By 10.30am the squad  met at Oakmedians on time due to previous warnings about tardiness, and to our surprise we were not only the first team to arrive, but the organisers weren't ready for us. 11.30am saw the start of the 8 team, 15 aside, 10 minutes each way tournament. 

Our first game was against New Milton who seemed very young, keen and up for the match.  It soon began to show that they were not a touring side who had played the previous day and they hadn't tried to drink the pub dry the night before either.  It took a long time for the OF's to settle into the game and only in the second half did they get their act together. The highlight being Rob "Bison" Tyrell's break away from the half way line to score a fantastic try leaving the New Milton full back with an opportunity to change his underwear. We lost the first match 7 - 12. 

The next game was against Bournemouth. By now the hangovers had started to alleviate and the team looked like they could pull it together.  A great effort from both forwards and backs won us the game 22 - 7.

On a high from the previous game OF's came up against the home side Oakmedians 1st XV and the whole team fell apart.  There was lots of wasteful play, knock ons and awful tackling, finishing with OF's losing 0 - 36.

Having played all the games in the group we came joint second and points difference saw us in the semi final of the plate against an Oakmedians second team sponsored by the local gentlemen's dancing club "For Your Eyes Only".

Knowing we were only one game away from the Plate final and seeing what F.Y.E.O had  done in previous games, OF's kicked off with a very positive spirit and dominated the game eventually winning 14 - 0.

This put us through to the Plate final and we had to replay New Milton, our opponents from the first round.  The game was played on the main pitch in front Oakmedians fantastic clubhouse (which is built into a hillside) and there were lots of spectators and other teams cheering the two sides on.  Once again there was a mysterious appearance by the Pantomime Horse & Cow duo including a bizarre mating ritual on the centre spot. Once the animals had been shooed off the pitch, the game commenced and after a scoreless first half, OF's scored an unconverted try in the second to make the final score 5 - 0.

The touring squad played throughout the day with moments of inspiration, and moments of desperation, but the Plate is on it's way to Ashtead Park for the first time. 

Men of the Match: Pantomime Horse & Pantomime Cow

Saturday evening saw a few tourists back in the Haven Pub, and a few in the House at Sandhills.  There was a party in the single men's van, with about 40 people crammed in putting the world to rights  until the early hours.

Easter Sunday 23 April

10.30am Still no complaint from Patrick.  Maybe this sticking us all together so we self-police ourselves idea is working.  Or could it be that the football players are on the other side of the site this year . . . ? 

10.45am Hairy legged, bearded women in dresses spotted lurking round the campsite. 

11.00am Crab Fishing competition on Mudeford Quay. Once again this was the best attended part of the tour with children and adults alike fishing away to their hearts content, pulling the crabs out of the sea.  Except the crabs seemed to have cottoned on after many a year of writhing in buckets and didn't seem too keen to take the bait, as it were.  The bearded hairy legged women, appeared on mass on the quayside, to the delight of many a passer by. It was a great effort by at least 20 grown men in drag for St. Georges day.  Not for the first time this weekend the Pantomime Horse & Cow stole the show. 

Once the crabs had been counted the golf & fishing awards were given out by Roger Seymour and went to:

Golf at Meyrick Park was won by Mark Stevenson with Gareth in 2nd place.

Adult Crab Fishing was won by Kim Choules

Children's Crab Fishing was won by Richard (Pete Ling's Grandson)

12.00pm Haven Pub opened it's doors to the ever so impatient Pantomime Horse and Cow and the carnage began. The Drinking Draughts commenced with the first game being chaired by Chris Doherty.  

Game 1: Alex March, Rob Tyrell, Nigel Miers, David Goode vs. Ross Moreland, Punk, Malcolm Beech, Gareth

This was something of a record, going on for over 45 minutes with 40 pints of bitter drunk in one game.

Game 2: Girls teams (sorry ladies but I can't remember exactly who played!)

Game 3: Simon Gibbs & Emma vs. Alex Tribick & Theo van Dort

Game 4: The Tour Virgins including Iain Nickoll vs. The Tour Ladies (please let me know by email who took part!)

Game 5: Guy Mitchell, Theo van Dort, Ronnie Gummer, John Winch vs. Jim March, Matt Bennion, Steve Beebe, Neil Morrison

Beer for draughts kindly sponsored by:

Ronnie Gummer's P.K. Consultancy & Cabling Services

The Old Freemen's Rugby Club

A nameless tourist re-eating the already digested oysters and whelks he'd  just brought back up in the bucket. 

The annual Easter Egg hunt went down a treat. Many thanks to Irene, Dawn and everyone else involved with supplying and hiding the eggs.  Special thanks to Pat Gibbs for donating the prizes. 4.30pm a few of the more inebriated tourists decided to check out the sea temperature to the riotous applause of everyone else sitting on the sea wall.  Special mention should go to Alex Tribick who started the whole thing, Robert Tyrell who stayed in for about 15 minutes, and Matt Bennion who decided the front end of the Pantomime Cow should become a Sea Cow. An evening of singing and drinking games in the Haven. 2.30am much hilarity as a chicken carcass is place delicately in Steve Beebe's armpit while he's fast asleep.

Bank Holiday Monday 24 April

Many a sore head saying "Please no more" and a mass exodus of OF's back to Surrey.

About 50 hardcore tourists caught the ferry to Hengistbury Head for the picnic but the weather finally turned against us and the wind grew too strong.  The shortest picnic ever.  Much hilarity with a remote controlled fart machine set off near unsuspecting members of the public. 

The Conclusion

A brilliant time was had by everyone that spent the bank holiday weekend in Dorset.  The Easter tour remains one of the highlights of the year.  It has everything: rugby, socialising, singing, port, the odd beer and enough laughter to make anyone's belly hurt.  So much so that over 25 vans have already been booked for next Easter. Good Friday is 13th April. 

A big thank you to Ronnie & Irene, Bill & Dawn, Roger Seymour, Mike Bailey and everyone else involved in the organisation and smooth running of the weekend. 

Theo

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