Old Freemen's 1st XV Reports 2011 - 2012 Season

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10 September 2011 - Old Freemens 21 - Andover 5

by James Burns

Freemens started their campaign in London South West Three playing host at Ashtead Park to fellow promoted Andover last Saturday. The first twenty minutes were strewn with errors on both sides as open day jitters seemed to get the better of the teams. Andover seemed to settle first and from a 22 drop out that wasn’t gathered by Freemens went through the phases up field and collected the first score which went unconverted. Within four minutes Freemens were level with an unconverted try, touched down by the evergreen Chas March.

Andover’s main weapon seemed to be their giant prop Martin Wassell, who made many strong runs from just off their fly half, however once the ball, was then made available Freemens’ defence were able to cope with what was on offer from the Hampshire side. Freemens took the lead in a well worked team try: John Ormrod kicked for territory, the resultant lineout inside the Andover 22 was stolen by March and set up well by the forwards leading to a strong run from Jon Wilson, allowing debutant Olly Mays to crash over for the go ahead try which was converted by Ormrod. At half time the score was 12-5 to the home side.

Freemens started the second half well & within six minutes they had extended their lead with a well struck penalty kick after an infringement at the maul. The Freemens’ pack continued to dominate with strong runs from Fair & Moodie whilst the ever vocal Owens directed precedings from scrum half. Much of the second half was stop start with the best chance of a further try coming from a line break from Ormrod which unfortunately ended in a forward pass. In the end the continued lack of discipline was to pay Andover dear with two more penalties conceded late in the game leaving the final score at 21-5. Old Freemen's 2nd XV won a friendly game away to Surrey Conference 2 opponents Weybridge Vandals.

This weekend Old Freemens travel to Purley John Fisher looking to consolidate a great start to their first campaign in London South West Three and the 2nd XV have a freindly game against Old Wandsworthians.

N Charalambous (J Brooks); S Taylor; Alex Moodie (C); R Tyrell; T Fair; C March; O Mays; O Crouch (S Daniels); A Owens (D Smith) ; J Ormrod; J Wilson; J Phelan; S Rowan; J Williams ; O Gotto

Tries: Chas March, Olly Mays.  Conv: John Ormrod.   Pens: John Ormrod (3)

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