20th October 2012
Ongar 18 – 12 Ilford
Tries: Whateley-Harris (2), Browning
Penalty: Fenner
Ongar smashed their way to victory against Ilford and kick
started their season. After nothing but defeats Ongar showed guts and
determination as they put Ilford to the sword.
Last week’s training session boasted 21 people all slogging
their guts out to get into the match day squad. This week we had to turn down
players; something that is not commonplace for the Os.
The match kicked off and was lively from the start. Dave
Blake captained the side and showed his power as he ran bull dozer like at the
opposition.
The score was pointless for a large section of open play as
both sides felt each other up. Ilford had a few fast breaks and exposed some
poor tackling and over lapping Ongar’s defence at times. Ongar were lucky to
not concede any points during the first half but showed grit and somehow
managed to get their game face back on.
The opening score came from a fast break and good hands from
the backs. The balls went along the backline and found Ben Whateley-Harris who
on his 30th birthday used his pace to round the opposition to touch
the ball down over the line.
Aaron Hardy stepped up to take the kick. He had been
restored to number 8 after last week’s fiasco at ten. This week he didn’t say
‘I’ve got this’ before he took the kick. He simply stepped up and missed it.
Not a word, just resignation to the fact that he will forever miss from now on.
He says that he was cursed by Jeddy and will miss all his kicks until the spell
is broken. The spell can only be broken when Aaron starts to celebrate Black
history month.
This try was the potions Ongar needed for a shift in gear.
They tore at Ilford for a large part of the first half after this. Although
they sometimes slipped into tackling too high and giving away simple penalties.
The pack was solid and they protected Ralton Fenner at nine expertly. The use
of pods was good and Jon Browning playing at ten straight off a plane from
Madrid put in some good distance kicks to find touch.
Ongar used their powers to good use in this game. The scrum
bulldozed Ilford at times and the backs showed agility, pace and power. Alan
Elvin must be singled out for praise. He put in a tireless performance and was
everywhere all over the pitch like a terrible rash. He then in the club after
the game somehow managed to get out of his half yard of mucky drink and give it
to the new old man Ben Whateley-Harris who collapsed a little after drinking
it. He was later found outside trousers round his ankles being manhandled by
King Leonidas and Saint George.
Birthday boy Ben Whateley-Harris then collected a ball from
Neil Wyndham and cut inside and managed to muscle his way over the line for his
second try of the game and 3rd of the season.
Aaron Hardy stepped up and fluffed the kick yet again.
Michael Blake started to abuse him from the sidelines and a little tear
slithered down Aaron’s cheek. He felt like Sampson when Delilah cut off his
hair. This however was more like the feeling Dave Lewis got when Jeddy handed
him off and caused Dave to hibernate for 3 weeks.
Ilford to their credit got back into the game with two tries
of their own. One of which they converted. During the second half Ongar rode
their luck a little. They gave Ilford massive overlaps and somehow didn’t
concede. John Minns was screaming from the sidelines at the players to come
over. How Ongar didn’t conceded in these moments was sheer luck.
Ongar scored against the run of play when Jon Browning
crashed over to score a brilliant team try. Mauled up the field by the forwards
played out to the backs. Pods used to create space and then Ralton popped it to
Wings who crashed over to score.
Aaron Hardy missed the conversion and by this time his
cheeks were all puffy and red from all the crying.
Ongar continued to the last. Everyman gave it their all. The
front row of Neil Springate, Fobwatch Minns and Andy Surrage put in a great
performance. Michael Blake came on to a rapturous applause from the capacity
crowd. Tom Bristow showed that he could gallop with the balls and Neil Wyndham
ran like a 67 year old.
There was just time for Ralton to show a tearful Aaron how
it was done and slot over a penalty. Giving Ongar a final points tally of 18.
A special mention must go to Nick Cronjaeger. He ran across
the pitch to make a try saving challenge. The loud whack when he connected made
the crowd gasp as one. Peanut lay knocked out on the ground. A brilliant tackle
and a true example of laying his life on the line for Ongar. Sadly he had to go
off afterwards as he didn’t know the score or who was winning and when asked
who the Prime Minister was he said John Berry!
Sadly that was game over for the entire night and Peanut
missed the birthday boy being stripped naked in front of the parents, waxed and
put in a dress.
The final whistle went and a huge cheer went up. Ongar were
off the mark. They had put in a great performance and shown some great team
play. They are still a uncut diamond but they showed glimpses of the gems that
they can be. The backs ran at Ilford with gay abandon. They back themselves and
the support play was fantastic.
On the side-lines some people who had not watched Ongar play
for a while said we look like a different team. Younger, fitter, stronger and
we gelled much better as a team.
Once we sort of our habit of missing a few tackles we will
be a force for anyone in our league. The believe ios back and the skill was
certainly back.
With the match won and the birthday boy naked Ongar
celebrated in true fancy dress style. Jeddy came as a doctor and was seen
resuscitating Dave Blake’s bottom in the changing room and Dave Lewis came as a
Persian!