Rugby Union
Lapses in concentration are costly

Stratford 20 Old Halesonians 28

LUCKLESS Stratford were left to reflect on a Midlands One West win that got away at Pearcecroft on Saturday.

Against third placed opponents, Stratford played some of their best rugby of the season, more than matching the Old Boys, and for much of the match looked to be on course for a handsome victory.

But it was not to be. Two momentary lapses in concentration, a pass that looked suspiciously forward and a lost lineout led to ultimate disappointment for the Black and Whites.

Before the game the Old Boys supporters handed over a most generous donation to the Pearcecroft Trust, in aid of Gareth Rees, seriously injured in the corresponding match last year.

The match was preceded by a minute’s silence for former Stratford player Paul Titmuss who has died in Hong Kong at an early age.

Old Halesonians scored with an early penalty, but the Town then went on the attack with lock Tom Mylott prominent in lineouts and the back row of Anthony and Dave Pritchard and Marko Mladenovic gaining valuable yardage.

Stratford soon equalised with a penalty by captain and fly-half Simon Brain before going ahead three minutes later with, possibly, the best try of the season.

A shallow cross kick from Brain was taken at full speed by wing Dan Whitby who drew the last man in defence before passing to full back Jo Cook who touched down between the posts, leaving Brain with the simplest of conversions.

The streetwise Old Boys forwards were giving away some penalties, one of which led to a yellow card.

Stratford went close with a series of forward drives, lock Geoff Dyson getting through much hard work, and a run by Whitby saw prop Matt Cook forced into touch just short of the flag.

Stratford continued the pressure and went further ahead with a drop goal by Brain.

The Town now had the majority of play, but were unable to turn pressure into points with a threequarter move ending with Whitby’s grubber kick running into touch just short of the line.

Two minutes into the second half, No 8 Dave Pritchard seized the ball from the Old Boys and from 40 yards ran through the opposition to touch down, Brain adding the points for a healthy looking 20-3 lead. This was cut back five minutes later as Old Hales took a quick tap penalty from their own half which caught the Stratford defence napping and led to a converted try.

Stratford were straight back on the attack and after a passing move between forwards and backs looked certain to score from a maul on the line.

But the ball was run by the Old Boys from behind their line, again catching out Stratford, to score a converted try despite a pass that looked suspiciously forward.

Old Halesonians went ahead with a try after a home attack broke down. Centre Elliot Smith and Matt Cook were injured and replaced by Callum Cook and Ed Walton respectively, the latter soon going on a trademark bullocking run through the defence.

The Stratford lineout had been secure all match and had plundered much Old Boys ball, but a vital five metre lineout was now lost, allowing the Old Boys to score their fourth try.

Stratford returned to the attack in the last five minutes. Hooker Mark HIbberd took a scrum against the head and the pack, with prop Simon Baldwyn prominent, drove the ball over the line but were held up.

Despite the disappointing outcome, Stratford are playing with verve and confidence.

Stratford face a trip to Ludlow this Saturday.