“ The unearthing of a Mole”

On Saturday, Oldfield III travelled to the War Memorial Recreational Ground to play Winscombe III in a bottom of the table clash.  With a much-changed side, Oldfield found their hosts (with a significant colt presence) too strong in key positions.  Under the scenic shadow of the Mendips, both teams played out an entertaining game of rugby with the home team running out deserved 24-10 winners. 

Oldfield took to the field with a number of key players missing.  In the search for a hooker, winger Alex Mole came forward to bravely fill the gap in the front row.  After 2 minutes of training from JR, Moley duly took his place in the front row and performed remarkably for the whole match.  Well done Moley, sorry about your neck!!!!! 

Early on, Oldfield felt the effects of the long trip from Bath and spent much of the opening 8 minutes weathering a Winscombe attack with full back Chrisy Ericson making several try saving tackles.  A series of penalties on 13 minutes allowed Oldfield clear their 22 and set up an attacking line out deep in Winscombes’ half.  Oldfield claimed line out possession through the Stainer/Goby combo only to loose the ball through an unfortunate knock on with the Winscombe line at their mercy.  With the referee’s advantage, Winscombe broke clear to score the games first score.

Minutes later, Goby was dubiously penalised for hands in a ruck, Winscombe kicked to touch, with a deserved drive over try on 22 mins to gain a 12 point lead.  The conversion scored by talismanic Winscombe captain Paddy Cullen, who encouraged and marshalled his young team throughout the first half. 

A scuffle midway through the first half saw Ady Wynes taken off with a broken nose.  Winscombe’s full back saw yellow when red may have been more appropriate – the referee claims to only have seen it from the corner of his eye !!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Late in the first half, Oldfield gamefully tried to play attacking rugby however after ten phases of play, lost possession to a determined Winscombe, whose break away try gave them a 19-0 point lead at half time.

Oldfield now playing with the slope in the second half, commenced with the greater endeavour to overturn the home teams advantage, typified with the Oldfield kick-off gathered by hooker Mole. 

An early penalty allowed Parker to find touch deep into Winscombe territory.  The resulting series of Oldfield forward rucks set up an attacking platform on the Winscombe 5 yard line.  With possession secured, Oldfield backs put the ball through hands resulting in a team score in the corner for young winger Lewis.  This try gave Oldfield a vital lifeline in the match. 

However, three minutes later, Winscombe again opened the Oldfield defence to score an easy try after missed tackles allowed the full back to score.  The conversion by Cullen gave Winscombe an unassailable 24-5 lead going into the final 15 minutes. 

With the game beyond their reach, Oldfield now played with a resigned determination to give the hosts a match.  Stand-in captain JR refused to allow heads to drop and his continued encouragement brought a fight back from the visitors.  With Mole now ably securing the Oldfield scrum ball, and Sir Guy laying claim to his future position on the flank, Oldfield began asserting pressure on the Winscombe 22.  On 72 minutes, JR bundled his way across the Winscombe line after a sustained forward rumble. 

From the retake, Oldfield again took up the game with determined running from McRae, Goby and Gallagher winning a penalty 10 yards out.  JR took a quick tap to again bustle over the line with several defenders in tow; but was cruelly denied a certain score by a referee, only looking from the corner of his eye!!!!!   

The game witnessed some notable performances from Oldfield.  The boiler house pairing of Rickie Wynes and the ever-youthful Tony Chapman put in a solid days work.  Dan Gallagher posed a constant threat out wide and Chrisy Ericson made attacking runs from defence.  McRae and Stainer were solid all afternoon, but the man of the match award deservedly goes to Alex Mole whose conversion from winger to hooker typifies third team spirit. 

Oldfield III:

McRae, Mole, Stainer, Chapman, R.Wynes, JR, Goby, A.Wynes, Coombe, Parker, Kojack, Firth, Lewis, Gallagher, Ericson.

Subs: Sir Guy, Gillett.

Tries: Lewis, JR.

Outstanding match fees for Sat: Ericson, Gillett.

Outstanding Membership: Gillett, Gallagher, Silvanus !!!

Jack Gillett travelled to Winscombe minus his boots!!!!!!!!