London Exiles 25 - Old Allenyinans 15
Mar
Old Alleynians were left to rue what might have been on Saturday in slipping to their fourth defeat of the season and with it virtually guaranteeing Kingston the league title.
Opting to play with the strong wind advantage in the first half Old Alleynians started well. A cross field kick to Foster nearly led to an opening try but the covering full back thwarted the danger and took play up field. London Exiles opened the scoring with a penalty for not rolling away at a subsequent ruck. Old Alleynians soon returned to the Exiles 22 and nearly scored the opening try when Hood charged down a clearance kick. Shortly afterwards the Exiles right wing deliberated over his clearance kick and a further charge down saw Wright cross for his first try in Old Alleynian colours. The conversion from the left was successful.
Old Alleynians were comfortable on their scrum and line out throughout the match apart from two crucial line outs that went wrong after penalty points were turned down in favour of kicks to the corner. London Exiles escaped and soon took the lead against the run of play when the first of the afternoon’s defensive lapses saw them cross. Old Alleynians soon restored the lead with a penalty from 30m out but failure to turn possession and territory into points made for a difficult second half against the wind.
The small and narrow pitch did not complement the attacking style of either team throughout the match but a couple of injuries in the backs and a lack of communication in defence did not help the Old Alleynian cause.
Exiles took the lead to 13-10 before Old Alleynians hit back with a try through Foster on the right following an excellent series of forward drives and decisive passing in the back line. This proved to be the final scoring move as Exiles scored two further tries, identifying and capitalising on gaps in the away defence. Franklin had a try disallowed with ten minutes remaining for seemingly knocking the ball on when grounding for a try and as Old Alleynians increasingly chased the game a lack of space, a few handling errors and turnovers proved crucial.
Old Alleynians still remain in second spot in the table, four points clear with three league games remaining, after fourth placed Croydon won away at third placed Old Whitgiftian’s. This weekend sees the first team return to Dulwich to entertain Old Whitgiftian’s.
Team: Woodford, Franklin, Van der Westhuizen, Juuko, Thomas, Mahoney, Hood, Wright, Kent, Docherty, Mead, Rutteman, Sandars, Foster, Ayres.
Subs: Boyle, Brown, Wisson.
