Score: Old Actonians 27 - BBBRFC 21

1st Half - A cold crisp morning and a definite nip in the air. The Baa Baas turning up to the clubhouse at Old Actonians RFC none too willing to exchange their warm coats for a cold, wet rugby shirt. Old Actonians however were on the pitch when the first of us arrived and were getting in to some serious training. I think they we trying to get the edge Psychologically (thank God for spell-check!).

As the game kicked off OA's kicked down to our corner and stole the lineout and shipped the ball quickly to their no.13 who cut through with some pace to score. The try certainly awoke those still dreaming of the bird they had pulled the night before. About 10 Minutes later as some pressure from the home side a driving maul from a five metre lineout produced another try. Heads raised the Baa Baas had lost the first two battles but were determined to win the war. Their cause was certainly not helped by the referee who seemed to have only had time to read half the rule book. Throwing in at the lineout, offside, handling the ball on the ground or on your knees if OA's prefer, all seemed to be a mystery to him.

We learnt fast and after some great breaks from Jim Brownlie and Angus we started to win Territory and possession. Harvey taking a leaf out of Ant's book and stealing lots of ball at the break down and loose play. Possession was turned into points as their defence was sucked in and the ball was popped out to the blindside where Rick Little was waiting and charged through what defence that was left to score. Disaster a few moments later as Trevor Bryne and Jim Brownlie collided and they both came off badly and Trevor had to go to Hospital for a few stitches. One of the must have been going the wrong way! So at half time it was 2 tries to 1. Game on.

2nd Half - Game on indeed! After a tactical switch at halftime which saw the veteran back row forward , Ben Thompson, being replaced by the older veteran back row forward , Ben Romer-Lee , play got under way . The Baa Baas lineout , which earlier in the game appeared non-existent , began to drag itself into contention . Miraculously 2 lineouts were won on our own throw in and we soon found ourselves camped on the Old Actonians line . Several scrums and penalties later ( one which saw Ant do a lovely twist and turn just short of the try line ) the defence was finally broken by a diving leap from Rick Little which saw him notch up his second try of the game.

Lachy converted and the Baa Baas began to believe that the game was still up for grabs . Sadly , minutes later the opposition sailed through our midfield to score between the posts and to once again edge ahead. Rick Little, however , had other ideas and our try scoring prop crossed once more to claim a historic hatrick in front of the capacity crowd of 7 spectators . Lachy onced again showed our absent goal kicker ( no names !) where the posts were and the Baa Baas found themselves in the lead by 2 points . The valiant Baa Baas defence was put to the test and the pressure began to tell when we conceded a penalty in front of the posts . Contrary to the spirit of free flowing rugby Old Actonians elected to kick the penalty , which they succeeded in getting . They now led by 1 point going into the last few minutes of the game .

Try as we did the Baa Baas found it difficult to break out of their own half and with the penultimate move of the match we conceded a throw in near our line . Old Actonians lept to secure their own ball before swiftly moving it through the backs hands before releasing their centre who ran unopposed to the line . The conversion was missed and as the referee blew the final whistle so died the chance of a final assault by the Baa Baas . Defeated indeed but by no means disgraced.

Damien Maltwood &

Ben Thompson