Another fine victory on the road for the First XV

Report by Den Fisher 29th Jan 2023.

Another try bonus point win saw OL’s continue the winning sequence of games with another top class display of running rugby.

The game kicked off with OL’s having the advantage of the downhill slope of the pitch which was taken full advantage of with fast open play rugby that produced five first half tries. From the kick off both sides opted for open play rugby and the game was even for the first fifteen minutes with both sets of forwards keeping possession at set scrums and loose play but solid defence from both sides kept the game between the two 22 metres areas but OL’s were having the better possession and with scrum half Toby Lord and fly half Ben Gordon enjoying quick ball from the forwards it was only a matter of time before the fast running OL’s backs broke through the home defence and it was a flowing cross field move that saw left wing Callum Semple cross the line wide out on the left to open the scoring.

Five minutes later another OL’s forward drive inside its own half saw fly half Ben Gordon breach the home defence to release his three-quarters to take the ball deep into the Spartans half before full back Joe O’Loghlen created the overlap to touch down try number two.

From the kick off OL’s continued to dominate the game with the forwards providing good quick ball which the OL’s backs took full advantage of with sweeping cross field moves with faultless interchanges of passing between backs and forwards that resulted in three more unconverted tries before the half time whistle.

The tries shared between back row Rob Young, for his first try of the game, Callum Semple for his second try of the match and second row Jake Byrne.
With half time fast approaching a long clearance kick out of defence and an infringement by OL’s gave Spartans a line out inside the OL’s 22 metre area and from possession won they forced OL’s back over the goal line resulting in an unconverted try to reduce the arrears. OL’s reached half time with a lead of 25 points to five and a valuable bonus point.

The second half was a more even affair with Spartans having the slope advantage the home side took the game to OL’s and it was only solid defence from the visitors that prevented the home side from adding to the score but 10 minutes into the half a quick move from an OL’s infringement saw the home side fly half touchdown for a converted try.

From the restart OL’s took control of the game and with the forwards now having the advantage over the home pack the OL’s backs came more into game pushing Spartans back into deep defence and back row Rob Young took advantage with his second try of the game which was converted by Ben Gordon.
OL’s seventh try of the match came shortly afterwards when full back Joe O’Loghlen intercepted a clearance and ran in from 30 metres to touch down for his second try converted by Ben Gordon.
The final try of the game was scored by Spartans when from a scrum deep into OL’s 22 metre area the home side scrum half picked up a loose ball at the back of the OL’s scrum to touch down for a late converted try.

Final Score Spartans 19 OL’s 39.

Den Fisher 29.1.23.