Old Freemen's 1st XV Reports 2009 - 2010 Season

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23 January 10 - Old Freemens 26 Bec Old Boys 24

by Alex Moodie

Old Freemen’s revitalised their Surrey One campaign with a hard fought victory over Earlsfield outfit, Bec Old Boys.

A combination of the Christmas break and the recent arctic weather conditions meant Old Frees hadn’t played competitively for six weeks.  This was reflected with a sluggish start in which Bec took the lead with a cheap penalty (0-3).

Fly-half John Ormrod clearly wore his kicking boots today.  He started a sixteen point haul with a penalty, closely followed by a drop-goal of which Jonny Wilkinson would have been proud (6-3).

Freemen's then controlled the game until the twenty minute mark, the highlight being a superbly engineered backs move which saw Full-back Richard Turk breaking through a gap like a whippet, his effort thwarted by a great cover tackle.  This was followed by a few pick-and-goes, but Bec’s defence held firm.

The visitors took advantage of the slope, first capitalising on a defensive mix-up within the 5-metre line, then by driving over from a 5-metre scrum just before half-time.  Both tries were duly converted, leaving Freemen's with lots to do at the interval (6-17).

The players clearly listened to the team talk from coaches Simon Crane and Steve Winslet, and veteran skipper Chas March made sure the boys would come out fighting. And fight they did!  Freemen's woke up and used the slope brilliantly, never letting up the pressure on all areas of their opponents game.  Quick thinking from Number Eight colossus Simon Daniels saw him crash over from a 5-metre tap penalty, catching the defenders unawares.  Ormrod converted (13-17).

The tide had well and truly turned now and centre Jon Wilson nearly gave Frees the lead with a fly-hack and chase after pouncing on a handling error.  Rob Tyrell was like a rampaging bison, new boys Dave Vanstone and Ollie Crouch proved their worth in the back row, and winger Chris Anderson made good yards on several occasions.   Freemen’s second half dominance paid off with 15 minutes to go, where Ormrod superbly carved a gap through the Bec midfield, then popped to Wilson who scored under the posts.  Ormrod converted and followed up with another penalty (23-17).

Credit must go to Bec who fought back gallantly, retaking the lead again when their full-back ran the ball home with a 60-yard touchline run with 5 minutes to spare.  Converted (23-24). But Freemen's weren’t going to let this one slip, restarting like men possessed.  Something had to give, and after unbearable pressure Bec were penalised for killing the ball.  Ormrod capped a stellar performance by coolly despatching the kick to win the game (26-24). Victory gave a first league double over Bec Old Boys, and left Freemen's competitively placed joint fourth in Surrey 1.  They will hope to maintain the momentum next week away to Croydon.

Freemen’s 2nd XV were unlucky to lose 18-17 away to Kingston 2s in the merit league, conceding a try in the last play of the game.

Freemen’s: Georgiou (Crouch), Acton, Walstow, Mitchell, Tyrrell, Vanstone, March (capt), Daniels, Owens, Ormrod, Anderson, Wilson, Sowton, Rowan (Warren-Evans), Turk.

23 January 10 - Old Freemens 24 Old Glynonians 17

by Alex Moodie

A mixed Freemen’s team defied freezing conditions to produce some enterprising rugby in their first outing of the New Year.

The game saw a return from injury of David Vanstone for Freemen’s and the number 8 certainly made an impact with a hat-trick of tries.

Coach Simon Crane said he was pleased with his team’s communication and solid defence – with the visitors’ points stemming from turnovers and interceptions rather than missed tackles. However he identified ball retention as an area requiring attention, with greater fitness and a determination to ‘clear out’ defenders from rucks the solutions that would need to be implemented.

The Old Boys’ other standout player was evergreen substitute Simon Parrish, who made several try-saving tackles shortly after coming on in the second half and sparked the counter-attack that led to his team’s winning try.

For some players this was their second bout of festive rugby – on Holiday Monday a large crowd saw the youthful ’25 and under’ XV defeat their older clubmates in an entertaining game.

Freemen’s are looking for good numbers and commitment at training this week before the rearranged Surrey One clash against Teddington at Ashtead Park this Saturday, k-o 2.15pm. The visitors top the league with a perfect record from their eight league games to date, and are also into the latter stages of the National Junior Vase following a thumping 53-6 away win against Burgess Hill on Saturday.

12 December 09 - Farnham 25 Old Freemens 16

by Tom Innes

Old Freemen’s journey to last-placed Farnham in Surrey 1 turned in to a pre-Christmas nightmare as the home side showed the total commitment needed to get their season started.  Farnham had scored only 22 points and not won a game to date but their survival hunger in the closing quarter out-powered the visitors and they bounced back to win the game 25-16.

An error-strewn first half by both sides saw the Old Boys trailing by 3-12 at half-time, a John Ormrod penalty being their only score. The strong wind and persistent attacking made it hard for Freemen’s to get out of their own half, despite Farnham being forced to give away a stream of penalties in the loose, thanks to the efforts of   Freemen’s forwards, notably Simon Daniels and Jon Reece. An inevitable sin-binning of a Farnham player seemed to inspire them and as the home side pressed, they broke Freemen’s line to score a try on the point of half-time, even though reduced to 14 men.

The second half kicked off with the wind dropping. Freemen’s raised their game impressively and grafted their way back to take the lead on the hour. Tom Fair and Chas March worked effectively to lead the pack, but too often they were lonely figures as Farnham stood firm. A further Ormrod penalty was well struck, after which Dom Smith came off the bench to inject his creative instincts. Smith’s controlling presence and urgency made the extra space which led to a try in the right-hand corner by Jonny Sowton that he converted, and he then added a penalty as Freemen’s nosed 16 -12 in front into the last quarter.

However, Farnham responded immediately with a well-worked try from an unkind bounce that had Freemen’s clutching at thin-air, a penalty and a further try as Freemen’s usually solid defence was left in turmoil. In victory, Farnham had more than doubled their points total for the season.

Freemen’s second team had a rest as Old Emanuel were unable to raise a team. This Saturday, there are due to be games at home and away to Sutton & Epsom XV’s. 

5 December - Old Freemens 28 Battersea Ironsides 18

by Bob Davies

Freemen's took an early lead with an Ormrod penalty and a try by the Freemen's veteran captain Chas March after just 4 mins. Ormrod's return to Freemen's 1st XV inspired him to make some early half-breaks and then he followed up with a great 40m solo run that was halted as he just failed to find the supporting runner as the defence closed him down with one man to beat. He quickly made amends with a coolly taken drop goal a few minutes later to push Freemen's out to 11-0 after 23 mins. Enjoying 60% of the possession the Freemen's team were able to put some strong phases together and after good drive by no 8 Simon Daniels through the middle the quick ruck ball was spread wide with two dummies by Jon Wilson who then fed Richard Turk 5 m out, but with work to do he then stepped inside two defenders and then gave a soft pass to second row Tom Fair to score in the corner to take an 18-0 lead. Freemen's capped a strong first half with another Ormrod long distance penalty to take a 21-0 lead. Although the score at the break was one-sided, the Battersea team had shown some great touches with their midfield and no 15 in particular making a number of half breaks that were snubbed out by great defence from the Freemen's three quarters and in particular Jon Wilson. 

Playing downhill in the 2nd half the Battersea team quickly lost the initiative allowing Simon Daniels to score after some lovely inter-passing between the Freemen's wing and outside centre which was very much against the run of play and possession. From 26-0 down Battersea then mounted a series of long phases of possession and slowly, but skilfully drew the scores back to 26-13, with their fullback showing great threat whenever he received the ball and then scoring a great solo kick and chase and two long range penalties and converting his own try. With 60 minutes gone and only 13 points behind Battersea with most of the ball they were then thwarted by strong tackling and counter rucking by the weighty Robert Tyrell and more mobile Tom Fair in the 2nd row engine room. Time was running out for the comeback, but with 78 mins gone Battersea put together a nice back move to score in the corner for 26-18 - the conversation narrowly missed gave Freemen's some breathing space, but a further 6 mins of injury time in the growing gloom meant Freemen's had to manufacture three great turnovers at the breakdown led by Captain Chas March to nullify a final effort by Battersea.   

A game well refereed and played in good spirit by both teams, Battersea can consider themselves unlucky to lose after playing some great rugby on the day, but some spirited defence and some individual moments of brilliance saw Freemen's secure another league victory. 

28 November 09 - Old Walcountians 12 Old Freemens 8

by Tom Innes

Hopes of a second-half comeback by Old Freemen’s went unfulfilled at Woodmansterne on Saturday as the visitors came up short in a typically tight Surrey 1 encounter.

The two teams went into the game locked on six points apiece in the table, and it was Freemen’s who struck first with a superb move down the left exhibiting some classy handling skills. Tom Fair, Simon Daniels and Alex Moodie were just three of several players involved before winger Olly Gotto took a scoring pass and crossed: 5-0 to the visitors after just six minutes.

Throughout the afternoon Freemen’s enjoyed the better of the penalty count, thanks in no small part to the skill at the breakdown of skipper Chas March, but could not turn this to their advantage. Most of the penalties were outside kickable range, which meant attempting to kick the ball to touch to gain field position, but all too often this led to the loss of the ball, either because of an inaccurate touch-finder or a lost lineout.

After 16 minutes a Walcountians counter-attack led to a five-metre scrum and soon afterwards to a converted try (7-5) and 10 minutes later it was 12-5 after a spell of pressure ended with a burst through the middle.

But Freemen’s defended tenaciously from 1-15 and with a significant slope in their favour after the break, were not too disappointed to turn round seven points adrift.

A key moment looked to have arrived in the 48th minute when the hosts conceded yet another penalty. Not only did Jeff Haywood slot it to reduce the arrears to four points, but a Walcountians back row players was sent to the sin bin.

What this in fact signalled was a period of frustration as Freemen’s were unable to establish the territory from which to launch the winning score. The home side’s defence was impressive and there was little sign of Freemen’s breaking through in spite of a few glimpses of invention from fly half Dom Smith.

A second home player was sin-binned near the end as the light faded to the point of being almost unplayable, but for the closing minutes it was Walcountians who looked more likely to score, laying siege to the Freemen’s line and squandering a straightforward penalty attempt that in the end made no difference.

This weekend Freemen’s host Battersea Ironsides, who are two points behind the Old Boys in Surrey 1 and lost 30-7 to unbeaten league leaders Teddington on Saturday. The weekend’s surprise result in the division saw Farnham, after six straight losses in a period where they scored a mere six points, registered a 3-3 draw at home to second-placed Old Whitgiftians.

Freemen’s 2nd XV lost 0-22 at home to Old Wellingtonians, and this weekend will travel to Old Paulines for another merit table fixture.

Freemen’s: Charalambous, Acton, Moodie, Mitchell (Tyrrell), Fair, Reece (Edwards), March (capt), Daniels, Owens, Smith, Gotto, Sowton, Turk, Rowan, Haywood (Linsell).

21 November 09 - Sittinbourne 15 Old Freemens 10

by Tom Innes

Old Freemen’s were left with a sour taste after defeat in Kent on Saturday. The pain of elimination from the RFU National Junior Vase competition was magnified by a serious injury to Anthony Rouse.

Rouse suffered a suspected double fracture to his jaw after an off-the-ball incident that went unnoticed by the referee, who struggled thereafter to control the game. Freemen’s are now considering whether to trigger disciplinary proceedings by citing the Sittingbourne player they believe to have been responsible.

The home team, who play their league rugby in Kent One, were already ahead at the time of Rouse’s injury, and a penalty stretched the lead to 8-0 at half-time.

Freemen’s battled gamely, and improved after the break, although handling and lineout errors meant they couldn’t sustain any pressure, and had just a Jeff Haywood penalty to show for their efforts (8-3).

But a breakaway try for Sittingbourne helped them pull away to 15-3, before Freemen’s scored a try of their own. An attempted clearance kick was charged down by number 8 Simon Daniels, who caught the ball on the full and touched down, Haywood converting (15-10).

Freemen’s tried to muster themselves for the winning score, and endured further frustration as apparent offences by the opposition went unpunished, until the final whistle signalled the end to a deeply disappointing afternoon for the Old Boys.

This Saturday sees a return to league action as Freemen’s travel to Woodmansterne for a Surrey Division clash with Old Walcountians. Both teams have six points in what is again a competitive league, and look set for a tight encounter.

Freemen’s 2nd XV also return to competitive action this weekend with a home Merit Table game against Old Wellingtonians, starting at 2.30pm at Ashtead Park.

14 November 09 - League Game Postponed

by Tom Innes

Heavy rain took its toll on Ashtead Park on Friday and Saturday, with the weather forcing the postponement of Old Freemen’s Surrey One league clash with Teddington.

The Old Boys’ testing home encounter with the unbeaten league leaders is now scheduled to be served up with all the trimmings on the Saturday before Christmas, while this weekend Freemen’s travel to Kent for a National Junior Vase tie with Sittingbourne, who lie fourth in Kent Division One.

Freemen’s are fifth in Surrey One, which is already looking congested, with four other teams on six points. Above them are Teddington (10 points) and Old Whitgiftians (8), whose narrow win over Old Walcountians followed a 12-5 home win over Freemen’s the week before. Nicos Charalambous scored the visitors’ only points at Croham Road with a well-taken try.

Saturday’s postponement was especially disappointing for a group of past players gathered for an annual reunion lunch – the ‘in my day’ brigade had to remain indoors with the dubious added benefit of watching England’s turgid display against Argentina on the TV screens.

Fresh from two successive promotions, the Old Freemen’s 2nd XV have found the conditions in Surrey Conference One to be challenging. A 10-31 reverse at home to Whitgiftians was followed by a visit to Battersea Ironsides on Saturday, with the home team eventually winning 20-0, although the spirit shown by a determined Freemen’s XV provided hope for the future.

Looking forward, everyone at the club will be hoping for drier weather and some cup joy to boost spirits as the season moves into full swing.

31 October 09 - Old Blues 50 Old Freemen's Club XV 5

by Tom Innes

A break from competitive action meant a renewal of the old rivalry between these two sides, currently in different divisions in the Surrey league structure.

Old Blues, currently top of Surrey Two after four straight wins, look like early promotion favourites and fielded a first team that was close to full strength. This was a hungry and skilful side, who proved far too good for a Freemen’s team which was far more of a ‘club’ side with as many 2nd XV players as first-teamers on show.

Although this was a one-sided affair, Freemen’s had few options for a fixture after Old Olavians withdrew from their Junior Vase trip to Ashtead Park at late notice. Bizarrely, the Kent team claimed they did not wish to play in the national competition in spite of having registered to do so.

On a pleasant afternoon at Motspur Park, Blues scored in the opening minute with the first of a series of skilful running movements, with Freemen’s tackling not up to scratch. A second try followed on the quarter-hour mark (14-0).

Freemen’s best spell came soon afterwards. Simon Daniels scored after a good move down the right, with Jeff Haywood’s well-struck conversion hitting the upright.

Soon afterwards the visitors were attacking in the same corner and looking for the score that would have almost levelled the contest. But Haywood was ‘sacked’ by a marauding Blues back row and one scrum later the home team had gone the length of the field and scored a third try (19-5).

The game was effectively over as a contest by half-time, with Blues striking with the final play of the first period to make it 26-5.

With several substitutions, Freemen’s battled gamely in the second period. Tom Fair made some storming runs from number 8, Zimbabwean hooker Gareth Sims impressed on debut, and Jon Wilson’s tackling was the highlight of a mixed defensive display from the team. But by the end Blues had run in another four tries, reaching the half-century mark as the clock ticked past 80 minutes.

Freemen’s 1st XV should be back to full strength for next Saturday’s visit to Old Whitgiftians, and will be looking for a fourth straight league win. The clubs will also contest a 2nd XV merit table contest at Ashtead Park.

Freemen’s: Mitchell, Georgiou, Coyle, Beech (capt), Millbourn, Gadd, Broome, Daniels, Owens, Haywood, Wilson, Sowton, Anderson, Harridge. Subs: Edwards, Sims, Acton, Charalambous, Slee, Rowan, Fair, Gotto

24 October 09 - Old Freemen's  15 Croydon 7

by James Tremaine

Freemen’s maintained their recent run of good form with a scrappy but nonetheless deserved victory over previously unbeaten Croydon at Ashtead Park.

In blustery conditions, Croydon played with the wind in the first half and pressurised the home side during the first fifteen minutes. Freemen’s fly half Anthony Rouse missed a penalty mid way through the half following an offside offence and Croydon’s no.10 missed a similar kick after Chas March was somewhat unfairly penalised for playing ball off his feet after having won the ball.

Three minutes before half time, the Croydon open side was sin binned after punching a Freemen’s forward, the first time that the inconsistent referee had taken decisive action for dangerous play.

In the second half, Freemen’s looked dangerous whenever their dynamic pack broke the gain line. But too often their rhythm was interrupted in the final third by technical offences and basic errors. However, the home side opened the scoring a quarter of an hour into the second half after the forwards won quick ball which went through the hands allowing Nick Oliver, on as a replacement for Sam Rowan, to score wide out. Freemen’s continued to pressurise the visiting team and nearly scored again. Oliver made ground on the right wing before passing inside to outstanding centre Jon Wilson who knocked on with the line at his mercy.

Freemen’s went further ahead after the Croydon openside flanker was penalised for holding on. Rouse kicked the goal from 40 metres (8-0). The home side created the decisive and match winning score four minutes from time. Again, elusive winger Nick Oliver was stopped short of the line on the right. The ball was recycled by the forwards which allowed Alex Moodie to go over under the posts. Rouse converted.

From the kick off, Freemen’s lost concentration and the ball was given away. The Croydon fly half made a dart through the midfield and was able to score under the posts. He converted with the final play of the game.

This weekend, Freemen’s entertain Old Olavians from Kent league 1 in the 2nd round of the RFU Junior Vase at Ashtead Park, kick off  3.00 pm. 

Charalambous, Acton, Moodie, Mitchell, Tyrrell (Beech), March (capt), Daniels, Edwards, Owens, Rouse, Rowan (Oliver), Wilson, Turk, Gotto, Campbell. Sub not used: Davies

17 October 09 - Bec Old Boys 17 - Old Freemen's 27

by James Tremaine

Old Freemen’s played some sublime rugby on Saturday, racking up twenty seven unanswered points in a sixty minute demolition of Surrey 1 league leaders, Bec Old Boys, at Earlsfield.

 The dominant Old Boys built up a solid lead in the first half through tries from Chas March and Andy Owens and three penalties and a conversion from outside half Anthony Rouse. 

The first try was created by the forwards who won three quick rucks, allowing skipper March to pick up and dive over. The second try was created by prop, Nicos Charalambous, who took the ball down the touchline beating off a number of tacklers before passing inside to Andy Owens to go over near the posts.

Continuous forward pressure, particularly from the front row, allowed the backs to create opportunities and further tries were prevented by numerous penalties being conceded by the home side. Anthony Rouse duly obliged with three first half penalties.  

The away side went further ahead after the break. After fifty minutes, Bec Old boys were penalised for killing the ball at a ruck and Rouse added the penalty. Five minutes later Bec conceded yet another penalty, this time for offside and Rouse kicked the goal (0-27). 

Freemens made a couple of changes, bringing on forwards Reece and Broome for Edwards and Tyrrell, with Broome making his debut for the senior side. With the game effectively won, Old Freemen’s loosened their grip on the game, loosing the ball in midfield which allowed Bec opportunities down the left wing, three of which were taken in the last fifteen minutes.  

Freemen’s host Croydon this Saturday at Ashtead Park, kick off 3pm, who have made an impressive start to their league campaign with three straight wins. 

Team: Charalambous, Acton, Moodie, Mitchell, Tyrrell (Broome), March (capt), Daniels, Edwards (Reece), Owens, Rouse, Williams, Turk, Wilson, Rowan, Campbell. Sub not used: Gotto 

MoM: Mark Mitchell

10 October 09 - Old Freemen's 32 - Chipstead 0

by James Tremaine

Old Freemen’s opened their league Surrey 1 account with a well deserved victory against old rivals Chipstead at Ashtead Park on Saturday. Freemen’s scored five tries during the afternoon when coach, Simon Crane’s training ground moves came to the fore.

Chipstead created the early pressure and within the first five minutes were awarded a penalty for a Freemen’s handling offence at a ruck. The penalty kick was missed from the half way line. The home side fought back from a set piece after thirteen minutes. No. 8 Simon Daniels picked up and passed outside to skipper Chas March who took the ball through the Chipstead defence. The ball was recycled and two rucks were won which allowed Rob Campbell to score mid way out from the posts. Anthony Rouse added the conversion. Later in the half flanker David Vanstone suffered a neck injury which was not as serious as first appeared and he was replaced by Bryn Edwards.

On the half hour Freemen’s were awarded a penalty after the Chipstead open side was caught offside (the first of several during the afternoon). Anthony Rouse kicked the goal to give the home side a 10-0 half time lead.

Soon after the restart, Rouse made a blistering break from midfield which allowed Josh Smith to score half way out. Rouse converted. Three minutes later, the home side, now totally dominant, scored their third try of the afternoon. Again Simon Daniels took out the ball down the right side of the field, March kept the ball alive and Nicos Charalambous was on hand to score (22-0 after forty six minutes).

The forwards gave fly half Anthony Rouse a platform to dominate the game and he had the vision to kick across field allowing Sam Rowan the opportunity to pick up and score near the posts. Rouse converted. The final try came when Chipstead, short on possession, tried to run the ball out of defence. Flanker Bryn Edwards intercepted a loose pass and was able to stroll in to make the final score 32-0 to the hosts.

For Old Freemen’s this was a marked improvement from the opening league game against London Exiles but the team will still need to step up another gear for the visit to Bec Old Boys in Earlsfield next week.

Team: Charalambous, Acton (Crouch), Moodie, Mitchell, Tyrrell, March (capt), Daniels, Vanstone (Edwards), Smith, Rouse, Turk, Smith (Gotto),Wilson, Rowan, Campbell

19 September 09 - Old Caterhamians 14 Old Freemen's 24

by Tom Innes

Old Freemen’s produced an excellent display of attacking rugby in the second half of their final warm-up game prior to the new season. The comeback means the team will be in good heart when they play their first Surrey One league game this weekend away to London Exiles.

Caterhamians were relegated from Surrey One in April but competed gamely during a scrappy first half. Freemen’s lost the solid presence of second row Tom Fair to an early knee injury, but Joe Harris stepped up impressively as replacement.

With the referee scheduled to take charge of the game having been called up to a league appointment on the morning of the game, the stand-in official struggled for control. Rather than make the best of things, coaches and players became frustrated and the game suffered as a result. Regrettably this also led to some ill-natured banter between spectators.

Cats produced the stand-out moment of the half with a well-worked try in the 25th minute, but Freemen’s at least held firm to remain in touch at the break (7-0).

The half-time team talk by coach Simon Crane saw immediate results – a rumbling forwards move ended up with prop Mark Mitchell ploughing over in the first minute of the second half, and in the 49th minute winger Roland Crouch showed his pace with a scorching run down the left, stepping inside the full back for what looked a certain try. In fact he was the victim of an athletic tap tackle but was still able to find supporting scrumhalf Andy Owens to score under the posts, Anthony Rouse’s conversion making it 7-12.

Crouch produced another stunning run a few minutes later, scything through the helpless Cats defence before again falling to a last-gasp tackle. This time his offload went to an opposition player, but was knocked backwards over the try-line and although rugby logic says that the first player to arrive shouldn’t be a front row, Alex Moodie pounced on it to snaffle the try (7-19).

Freemen’s final try came in the 75th minute, full back Rob Campbell taking Rouse’s flat pass at full pace and getting close to the line before finding Josh White with the scoring pass. An 80th-minute try gave the hosts the small consolation of the final score.

Freemen’s 2nds played Caterhamians at Ashtead and won 23-14, with tries from Bryn Edwards and Chris Anderson and a drop goal, two penalties and two conversions from Jem Davies.

This weekend Freemen’s 1st XV’s league opener is away at London Exiles’ ground in Barnes, k-o 3pm. At the same time the 2nd XV host at Ashtead Park in a Surrey Conference Merit Table encounter.
Freemen’s 1st XV: Moodie, Acton (Charalambous), Mitchell, Fair (Harris), Tyrrell, O.Crouch, March (capt), Daniels, Owens, Rouse, R.Crouch, Sowton, Gotto (White), Rowan, Campbell.

05 September 09 - Old Freemens vs Verwood Trial Game

by Tom Innes

The start of September signalled a return to rugby action for the players and supporters of Old Freemen’s RFC.

After two months of skills and fitness training, the Old Boys squad took to the field for their first action of 2008/09 in a predictably sun-bathed Ashtead Park on Saturday.

With the powers-that-be setting a September 26 start date for the Surrey One league campaign, three weekends of warm-up games will lead into the 1st XV’s league opener away to London Exiles. The 2nd XV also start their new Merit Table campaign at the end of the month.

Freemen’s consummated a new relationship by bringing new friends back home for the first time on Saturday. Verwood from Dorset, who play their rugby in the Hampshire leagues, hosted the Old Boys Easter tour hordes last Good Friday, and this time had travelled up the M3 for the return match.

Both sides were missing some key players, but nevertheless both teams had plenty of talent on show, and regular substitutions meant everyone saw some game time.

The visitors took a while to shake the long journey out of their system and after the first quarter Freemen’s had built a commanding 31-0 lead. A solitary try was added in the second quarter, and after half-time the pattern was repeated: 17 more points in the third quarter (53-0), and a final try during the last period to make it 60-0.

Jones (2), Crouch, Fair (2), Rowan (2), Alex Moodie, Ian Moodie and Bambrick scored Freemen’s 10 tries, with conversions from Anthony Rouse (4) and Jem Davies. Verwood played gamely throughout and certainly held their own during some lively after-match socialising, putting rugby’s summer of controversy firmly to bed.  Their chairman also wrote a great letter of thanks

Old Freemen’s players have trained hard during the summer under new head coach, Simon Crane and fitness coach, Sam Tomkins. Crane has introduced innovative ideas based on an expansive game.

"We have had excellent attendances at pre-season training with a number of new faces that bodes well for the new season" says James Tremaine, Director of Rugby. "We shall be looking to run three sides every week with the firsts and seconds playing league rugby and the third team playing friendlies".

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