Rugby: Whitgiftians stun table-toppers

Old Whitgiftians, unbeaten in the League since November last year,thoroughly deserved their win against top of the table Freemans.

This was a match that was crucial to maintain promotion hopes, and on a bright sunny day, with the pitch in perfect condition, a large crowd of spectators was entertained to a lively exhibition of open rugby. Critical matches often produce dull and short-tempered affairs, but this was an exception.

OW's win was achieved by the strength and speed of their forwards to the break down, which provided good, quick ball and the threequarter line grew in confidence as the match progressed. The margin of the win might have been greater but for Freemans tenacious defence.

Freemans won the toss and elected to play up the hill in the first half. From the start OW's moved quickly into top gear and drove downfield. OF forwards strayed off side, but Gordon Coletta missed the penalty attempt. This turned out to be not so serious as OW's continued on the attack and first scrum half Tom Maynard, and then centre Barrett Bloxham made breaks. Full back Les Todd was only foiled from scoring by a foot in touch. A quickly taken penalty set centre Andy Marshall through a gap in the defence, and when he was stopped short of the line, Captain James Schad from the wing was on hand to take the pass and crash over for the opening score.

Thirty minutes into the match OW's should have notched up more points, but slowly Freemans clawed their way into the OW half. However from a slow Freemans scrum heel, Mike Grant stole the ball, and Tom Maynard put in a huge clearance downfield. From a ruck Grant again gained possession, prop Dave Woods made ground, and Tom Maynard spotted an opening and sprinted 22 metres to score. Just before half time a further try looked certain, but the ball was dropped.

The first half was really all Whitgift, but to turn round and play up the hill 10-0 seemed hardly adequate.

Indeed early in the second half Freemans were awarded a penalty in a kickable position. Freemans kicker called for the very high yellow tee, but had difficulty balancing and aligning the ball on the tower. The referee ruled that the attempt at goal had taken too long! Soon after, in an attacking position, OW forwards were again first to the break down, and Andy Marshall found a route through the defence to score.

With points on the board, Whitgiftians were now prepared to attack from any part of the pitch. A quick lineout in their twenty-two area put Andy Marshall away well into Freeman's half, and following another quickly taken penalty the same player again found a way through to go over under the posts. Gordon Coletta converted to take the points tally to 22. Such was OW's confidence, it seemed only a matter of time before they increased their total. Sure enough, Tom Maynard seized on a loose ball, and with a one handed pick up, passed to Barrett Bloxham, who in turn fed Quintin Keanie who beat a now tiring opposition to go over, under the posts.

With five minutes to go, Freemans gained a consolation try when Marcus Hodges scored a well-worked try, which was converted by Tony Rouse.

This was a good demonstration of strength in Surrey 2 rugby and certainly one of the best matches at Croham Road for many years. For OW's it was a whole team effort, but both sides contributed to the occasion that also benefited from the referee's strict and clear handling of the match.

Old Whitgiftians are now in clear second place in the League with three matches remaining. Their promotion prospects were considerably enhanced as rival contenders Bec Old Boys lost to Old Walcountians.