London Nigerian 31 - West London 12
Apr
With the threat of relegation looming large and ugly over the club, this friendly fixture was arranged to keep the squad sharp in the fallow weekend – ahead of the crunch fixture against in-form Ruislip on April 12. Alas, not enough members of the squad made themselves available for the tie, probably symptomatic of the club’s on-field ails in 07/08.
Starting the tie with 13 men, the visitors lent Nigerian their one substitute, a South Africa back row player who prefers to be known as “Spud”. Also making a debut in Nigerian colours was second row forward, Ian Morrison, best-friend of club hooker Steve Hanlon and a long-term recruitment target (are you reading Mr Morrison?). 14-man Nigerian kicked off superbly with Maynard Ahukanna claiming Nathan Bond’s hanging kick and setting up an early attack for the hosts. The forwards made steady progress toward the West London line where they forced a 5-metre scrum on the right hand side of the posts. Maynard, installed at No. 8, picked up from the base of the scrum and attacked the big blindside, rounding both the opposition flanker and wing on the way to an excellent opening score.
The visitors responded well and soon had Nigerian defending a line-out in the 22. The hosts’ defence held up long enough to force West London into conceding a penalty for dangerous use of the boot. Stand-in Nigerian skipper, IK Iroche reacted quickest, tapping to himself and slicing through the West London midfield to leave himself one-on-one with the visiting fullback. Iroche was snagged but held up long enough to pop a pass to Neal Fetterman in support. Two quick rucks later and the bulk of Bankie Irele went crashing through two defenders and over the West London try line to give Nigerian a second score.
Finding proceedings all too easy, the hosts lost their shape and began to play loose and free. This allowed West London back into the game for two deserved scores before halftime.
The hosts came back into the second half in the right frame of mind and barring the occasional turnover, forced West London into largely defensive duties. With strong running from the likes of Morrison, Spud, Ahukanna and the giant Chima Ijeoma, the Nigerian pack turned the screw on the opposition. The sparky prompting of Gareth Howells enjoying a fine game in the number 9 shirt kept the forwards on top. More tries came through Ahukanna and others (whom I forget now) before Spud rounded off proceedings with a 50-metre try against his own side (hopefully, he will be ostracised from the team leaving him vulnerable to a predatory swoop by LNRFC – LOL)
Highlights: The ancient front row combo of Fols & Pops reunited yet again in Nigerian colours and enjoying it for a change.
Man of the Match: Maynard – still has the pace of his wing days and enjoyed being on the score sheet for a change. Still BUFF.
1. Tunde Aiyegbusi
2. Neal Fetterman
3. Fola Odetoyinbo
4. Ian Morrison
5. Chima Ijeoma
6. Rossi
7. Spud (that’s what he calls himself; loan from West London)
8. Maynard Ahukanna
9. Gareth Howells
10. Nathan Bond
11.
12. IK Iroche (C)
13. Bankie Irele
14. Tunde Adeniji
15. Ugo Ekeowa
