2nd XII Match Reports
Spring Term 2017
(Coach: Simon Perry)
Wednesday 15th March 2nd XII v Haileybury [a] - lost 20-40
After a rather disappointing performance last time out at Merchant Taylors', the trip to sunny Hertford offered the boys a chance to redeem themselves and finish the rugby season on a positive note. Although they couldn't quite get the victory that much of their play deserved, the 2nd team arguably put in their best performance of the season before being outgunned by a powerful Haileybury outfit.
Preparations for the game were less than ideal as a confused bus driver, who was sporting the most debonair of handlebar moustaches, meant that an already long trip became even longer as we soon found out that a 40ft bus does not easily negotiate single-track country lanes. Nevertheless, when we arrived, more than half an hour later than expected, the sun was still shining, the track was firm and the boys were ready for a final blat before cricket becomes their major focus.
As has become synonymous with the 2nds, the opposition opened the scoring in the game as we struggled to exit our 22m area. An inability to field the resulting kick-off meant that possession was handed back to Haileybury once more who took advantage of their visitors' profligacy and scored another try. A long afternoon looked like it would be in store.
However, Orley Farm did not panic and they started to put together some purposeful phases of rugby, with scrum-half Zak O'Connor dictating the pace of the game and fly half Hugo Dorrian commanding his troops around the pitch and using his kicking game to good advantage, finding good field position from which to lay siege to the Haileybury line.
Finally, their patience paid off as clean rucks, thanks mainly to the immovable object Finlay Calvey, meant that yardage was gained, sometimes through the brute force of Messrs. Khan, Sie and Makwana and others through the spritely feet of centres Dev Patel and Sheil Trivedi. James Kenny, revitalised in a new position on the wing, showed excellent footwork to step back inside his opposite man and dot down for OFS' first score of the game.
With confidence restored and an air of exuberance in their play, Orley Farm quickly pulled themselves level. An outrageous cross-field kick from Hugo Dorrian bounced perfectly for onrushing centre Dev Patel, who gathered the ball and galloped to the line.
Sport is a game of moments and such moments can have a huge impact on outcomes. Today, the moment in question was not on our side.
With tails up and making the most of the fine conditions, Orley Farm were seemingly offloading at will, carving through their Hertfordian opponents with surgical efficiency. Rohan Patel, making his presence felt, stormed onto a superb pass form Hugo and raced clear, about to put his side in front for the first time in the game and give them a real momentum swing. However, the cruel mistress that is sport had other ideas; he was caught by a defender and lost the ball in contact, the rest of the team watched on helpless as the fullback picked up the loose ball and strode to the try line, some 70m away, to score.
A 10-point turnaround in the blink of an eye.
To add insult to injury, quite literally, Rohan had to be helped off the field and ended the day on crutches as the fall saw him badly bruise the bone in his knee.
Agonisingly, as their minds were elsewhere, OFS conceded once more before the break and ended up going in to the break 10 points in arrears.
Knowing that the first score would be crucial in the second half, Mr Perry encouraged his troops to go out all guns blazing and finish the season in style. Haileybury hadn't read the script however, and ended up grabbing two tries early on in, effectively putting the game to bed.
Nevertheless, a superb intercept from Dev, having his most impactful game to date, saw him break free, but for some reason he chose to step back inside rather than continuing for the corner where he would surely have scored his second, before being snagged by a defender. Thankfully, Piyeeshan Sabeshan, reading the game accurately as usual, was on hand to support and get himself on the scoresheet.
A period of staccato rugby then ensued as both teams started to feel the effect of their endeavours, the game becoming punctuated by scrums following handling errors. Another injury stopped the game soon after as Hugo, the heartbeat in attack, had to be helped from the field and so the good ship Orley was left a little rudderless at this point.
Thankfully, Man-of-the-Match Zak O'Connor, small of stature but huge in heart, took up the reigns and guided what remained of the troop through the rest of the match. Defensive shape had become a little ragged at this point and OFS struggled to deal with their more athletic counterparts. The concession of two further tries was to be expected.
With the last play of the game called by the referee and the game gone, Orley Farm showed their real character; a rallying call from the senior boys saw them play on to the bitter end, wanting, no, needing to have the final say. Josh Holloway and Finlay were at what seemed like every ruck and the supply for Zak kept on getting quicker and quicker. Finally, the ball was moved out to whippet-like Aditya 'Yaya' Baral by captain Aiden Whitham who scored in the corner.
The score was testament to the boys who continued to fight for each other, never giving up when all hope was lost. Despite not getting the victory that their play merited, this experience on the rugby field, the last for half of the boys at this school any rate, will set them in good stead for the future.
We now look ahead to longer evenings, warmer weather, teas and a cricket season that will hopefully be as eventful as its predecessor.
Tries: J. Kenny, D. Patel, P. Sabeshan, A. Baral
Simon Perry
Wednesday 8th March 2nd XII v Merchant Taylors’ [a] - lost 5-45
A disappointing first half performance was ultimately Orley Farm's downfall as they never recovered from conceding six tries before half time. Ethan Watson-Mattis' superb solo effort was the only respite for OFS as they fell to their first defeat of the season.
After the relatively short trip to Northwood, the 2nd XII looked to improve upon last week's draw at home to Arnold House by getting back to winning ways but they made their job impossibly hard by missing tackle after tackle in the opening 15 minutes.
The ruck, which had been such an area of strength so far this season for OFS, suddenly crumbled under pressure as MTS flooded the breakdown, albeit with questionable legality, as even Haroon Khan and Finlay Calvey, so strong over the ball normally, could not hold the fort.
As a result, MTS turned over possession with alarming regularity before their opponents sought to increase their own numbers in the ruck. It was from one of these turnovers inside their opponents 22 that MTS opened the scoring.
Within five minutes of grabbing their first, the home side had their second and third tries and were threatening to run away with the game as defenders fell off tackle after tackle.
When they did have possession, Alex Gong and Josh Holloway carried strongly as usual but support play was strangely lacking as OFS struggled to find any impetus. Their only breaks of any note came down the right hand side when James Kenny, effective on the wing, made useful yards before being forced into touch.
Man-of-the-Match Hanno Sie tried his best to stem the flow of attacks, tackling as much as he could in front of him, but he and his teammates were overrun as MTS ran in three further tries before the whistle.
At the start of the second half saw a moment of magic as Ethan, catching the ball on the full from the restart, set off down the left hand side and evaded at least six defenders with a jinking run before finishing coolly under the sticks.
If this try was to breathe life into the Orley Farm fightback, they would have to strike whilst the iron was hot, but they could not capitalise on the surge in confidence as MTS kept their composure in defence and repelled everything that was thrown at them.
Exhausted at having expended so much energy chasing shadows in the first half, the OFS defence was understandably breached again late on, conceding three more tries before the final whistle was blown.
Mr Perry will be looking for a reaction next week away to Haileybury, another school with a long and illustrious history, in their final match of the season, hoping to see them end with a victory that will cap off a promising season.
Try: E. Watson-Mattis
Simon Perry
Wednesday 1st March 2nd XII v Arnold House [h] - drew 30-30
With the tight confines of the Oakmead pitch to take into consideration, Orley Farm fielded a slightly changed team for their fourth match of the season as they looked to gain a third victory in what has been a promising start to the season. Unfortunately, they were thwarted and had to settle for equal shares in an entertaining draw instead.
A brace from Man-of-the-Match Alex Gong, including a sensational length-of-the-pitch effort, and tries for Rohan Patel, James Kenny, Dev Patel and Zainali Jamal saw Orley farm break the 30 point barrier for the fourth consecutive match, showing the attacking talent on show.
However, it was also the fourth match in a row when 30 had been conceded so there is clearly work to do on a defensive front.
Perhaps still becoming accustomed to their new surroundings, OFS were slow out of the blocks and were the first to concede again, another worrying trait. However, they responded admirably as the powerful Rohan Patel, moved into the back row after an injury to Haroon Khan, burst through would-be tacklers and grounded the ball over the whitewash.
Alex followed this up soon after with a smart pick-and-go from the base of the ruck. Realising that the opposition defence wasn't properly set following a drive from Josh Holloway, he burrowed his way over in the corner.
With the slope a significant advantage on a small pitch, OFS were looking to press home their first half superiority and take a two or maybe three score lead into half time. However, despite some brave tackling from Aditya Baral and Zak O'Connor, easily the two best defenders on the pitch, it was Arnold House who had the last say before the break, bringing the score to 10-10 as both teams tucked into their oranges.
With a word of caution echoing in their ears from the half-time team talk, OFS went quickly on the offensive and forced an error at a five-metre scrum from Arnold House. On the back foot due to a powerful scrum from OFS, the ball popped out and was loosely passed back into his in-goal area by the scrum half. James Kenny reacted fastest and, showing impressive line speed, intercepted the pass without a finger being laid on him, scoring arguably the easiest try he ever will.
From the resulting kick off, the ball was moved through several phases before inside centre, Dev Patel, spotted an opening in midfield and stepped inside the gap, leaving defenders in his wake on the way to scoring a superb try which gave Orley Farm a 20-10 lead early in the second half, seemingly making a mockery of the adverse conditions.
Confidence then seemed to give way as complacency set in amongst the ranks, with Arnold House hitting back with three tries of their own in quick succession, leaving the onlooking home fans in a state of shock as they saw Orley's lead dwindle and die.
Cometh the man, cometh the hour so they say, and today that man was Alex Gong who scored a contender for try of the season just when it was needed the most. Looking for all the world as if Arnold House were about to take a two-try lead, Hanno Sie made a nuisance of himself at the breakdown, turning the ball over less than five metres from his own try-line. Alex, picking the ball up, saw space ahead of him and, keeping the ball in two hands, beat no less than six defenders (some twice) as he went the length of the field, roared on by the raucous home support.
With the scores level once again and the tie in the balance, Zain, inspired by his Year 7 teammate, danced his way down the side of the pitch, flirting outrageously with the touchline, before finally beating the fullback and scoring his side's sixth try.
Scoring the final try of the game and breaking opposition hearts has become this team's forte, but unfortunately today it was Arnold House's turn as a tiring OFS defence could not keep out a powerful surge from the second row, who scored in the corner under considerable pressure.
Such is the confidence in the handling of this Orley Farm team now that even though time was up and the next stoppage would result in the full time whistle, they refused to stop attacking. Dev again made a clean break through the midfield but was brought down around 10 metres out. Still the ball was kept alive with an offload but it was forced one too many times and a knock-on brought an end to proceedings.
After four games played and defeat yet to be tasted fully, the 2nd team now travel with the 1st team away to Merchant Taylors' for next week's fixture hoping that their season does not fall apart at the seams.
Tries: A. Gong (2), R. Patel, J. Kenny, D. Patel, Z. Jamal
Simon Perry
Wednesday 22nd February 2nd XII v Kingshott [a] - won 70-30
Following the enthralling opening matches of the season, Orley Farm’s first away game of the campaign had much hype to live up to, but unfortunately it couldn’t quite match the games against St. Martin’s and The Hall for pure entertainment.
70-30 seems like a truly one-sided affair, however this was very much, pardon the old sporting cliché, a game of two halves, as OFS’ opponents literally fielded two entirely different sides for each half of the encounter.
Not much could be gleaned from these performances if truth be told, as OFS were thoroughly outgunned in the first half, struggling to match their Hitchin-based opponents for both power and intensity. Whereas in the second half, running in 11 (eleven) unanswered tries, although mildly enjoyable, was not particularly conducive to a positive learning experience.
Arguably, more could have been learnt from a training match with the 1st team.
That is not to say that there were not some positive performances – Rohan Patel and Ethan Watson-Mattis may have scored nine tries between them, but the hard yards were certainly done by the forwards. Second rows Alex Gong and Josh Holloway both carried well and made yards every time, whilst back-row Finlay Calvey was an ever-present at the ruck.
In a testing first half, attacking, or rather defending for the most part as it turned out, uphill, the three aforementioned forwards, along with hooker Hanno Sie were the only ones who seemed up for the battle.
One strength of ours this season, and it remains one now, is handling skills. Even under pressure in the first half, when we attacked, half-backs Aiden Whitham and Niraan Shah always looked to distribute the ball out wide and feed the wingers.
It was no coincidence therefore that both wide men, Zainali Jamal (2) and Ethan Watson-Mattis (4) found themselves crossing the whitewash many times, Ethan even managing to score a try uphill against the Kingshott 2nd XII.
At half time, OFS coach, Mr Perry, not knowing that the match would feature such disparate opposition teams, sought to enthuse his troops and encourage them to keep the confidence in their passing game, which they did to a certain degree.
Almost straight from kick-off, the ball was shipped out to Ethan who grabbed his second of the game. Not long after, Zain found himself on the scoresheet, soon followed by Alex for his first senior rugby try.
Ethan’s hat-trick was soon completed as he jinked his way down the wing, as was Rohan Patel’s who, quite the opposite, surged through the core of Kingshott, powering his way to the line.
The Kingshott 3rd XII struggled to contain OFS at all, especially as they were now feeling the effect of slogging away up the not inconsiderable slope.
Rohan ended up scoring five tries to Ethan’s four in their own battle-of-the-try-scorers, but pleasingly, both centres, Dev Patel and Sheil Trivedi, also bagged themselves scores as the second half rout threatened to turn into a cricket score.
On the theme of cricket, it seems appropriate that next week brings St. John’s Wood’s finest to South Hill Avenue, as Arnold House make the trip out of London to face OFS on for a third home match of the season. It remains to be seen as to whether OFS can Lord it over their rivals on Wednesday or if they find themselves stumped by their opponents.
Tries: R. Patel (5), E. Watson-Mattis (4), Z. Jamal (2), A. Gong, D. Patel, S. Trivedi
Simon Perry
Wednesday 8th February 2nd XII v St. Martin’s [h] - drew 40-40
Another match, another grandstand finale with Orley Farm once the benefactors of an incredibly late try. Coming even later this time than in the previous match against The Hall, as captain James Kenny’s late score clinched a well-deserved draw after a superb team performance, with winger Ethan Watson-Mattis starring with four tries.
Debutant Sheil Trivedi opened the scoring for the home side as he stepped and jinked his way to the try line after some neat handling from centre partner Dev Patel.
However, the lead did not last long, a theme for the day, as St. Martin’s powerful and rangy captain scorched away downfield, skirting around the entire defensive line, another theme for the day, to run in the first of his 7 (seven) tries. Ultimately, the inability to deal with his pace would cost OFS dearly as they gamely brought down every other attacker on the field with him being the only exception.
With the score resembling a tennis rally, and the try-scorers, Ethan and the opposition captain, taking part in their own finishing competition, the score at half time was 20-20, Ethan having completed a first-half hat trick.
Despite some rousing words at half time from the Headmaster, who praised the boys for their endeavor and enterprising attacking game, the second half started as the first had finished – with a try from the St. Martin’s skipper.
It was testament to the Orley players that their heads did not go down, and following some strong carries from Alex Gong and Niklas Makwana, coupled with some exceptionally fast delivery from the base of the ruck by Zak O’Connor, OFS found themselves camped in the opposition’s 22.
Finlay Calvey, another debutant, and Hanno Sie seemed to be at every ruck, securing quick ball that finally enabled fans’ favourite Haroon Khan to power his way over the line, sending the vociferous crowd into raptures.
No matter how well they attacked, neither team could hold on to their lead for long, or forge a greater one for that matter. The yo-yoing of scores continued as two St. Martin’s tries were swiftly followed by equally incisive efforts from Zainali Jamal and Ethan, grabbing his fourth as he returned a loose kick with interest.
A moment of magic soon after had the crowd on their feet once again, as Zainali, operating at fullback, fielded the ball on his own 22-metre line before setting off on a purposeful run upfield. The lithe and limber Zain, jinking his hips like a young Tom Jones, evaded defenders as if they were training cones and made it all the way to five metres out before tragically being felled and unfortunately losing the ball in the process. Some try it would have been.
Sport can be a cruel mistress, and she was threatening to be so again when St. Martin’s scored back-to-back tries following handling errors from the home team, leaving the score at 40-35 in their favour with seconds remaining.
But this is no ordinary rugby team.
With the clock ticking over the allocated time, and knowing that any sort of error would end the game, OFS were as good as dead and buried, especially as they were trying to exit their own try line. Not that this stopped their swashbuckling play as the ball passed through no less than five sets of hands, following some delightful footwork from Niraan Shah, before a break was made down the wing by Piyeeshan Sabeshan who found Josh Holloway in support. The ball was recycled and several drives from the forwards meant that Orley soon found themselves only 10 metres from the opposition try line. When the ball was shipped out to James Kenny, there was only going to be one outcome.
After such a grandstand finale to the game, it certainly felt more like a victory for OFS and, in truth, probably a defeat for St. Martin’s. However, on balance, a draw was probably what both teams deserved as both teams’ attacks were clearly much stronger than their respective defences.
With a week off due to half term, OFS will look to take this momentum into their next game, away to Kingshott on 22nd February. If the second half of the season continues like this one then the fans and players better buckle themselves in for one rollercoaster of a season.
Tries: E. Watson-Mattis (4), S. Trivedi, H. Khan, Z. Jamal, J. Kenny
Simon Perry
Wednesday 18th January 2nd XIII v The Hall [h] - won 35-30
A hat-trick from second row Arav Patel helped Orley Farm to produce one of their greatest ever results in this early season thriller. In a topsy-turvy game which saw seemingly unassailable leads whither and contenders for try of the season scored, Orley Farm needed a last minute score from Aditya Baral to gain the win and send the home support into rapturous applause.
What a difference a week makes in sport. This was a far cry from last week's training match at Lochinver House where the transition from football to rugby certainly showed just how rusty some players were, whilst still highlighting the glimpses of promise, particularly at ruck time.
After an uncertain start where The Hall scored two counter-attacking tries in the first opening minutes, it seemed as though it would be a long and painful afternoon for the hosts. However, captain Aiden Whitham's outstanding try, where he jinked his way down the right wing before cutting in and wrong-footing the covering defenders, seemed to breathe life into Orley.
How quickly the tide can turn. By half time, OFS were positively flying. A brace from Arav and tries from Rohan Patel and Zainali Jamal meant that the score at the break was a rather one-sided 25-10, with the home team firmly in control of proceedings.
What would have been particularly pleasing to coach, Mr Perry, aside from the bounce-back-ability of his team, would have been the structure and tempo with which his team played. Rucks were cleared, calls were made and passes found their man. Years of playing the 'Orley Farm way' came to fruition in 15 minutes of scintillating team play.
The first try in the second half was always going to be critical: Orley Farm score and the game is as good as over; The Hall grab one and a ray of light shines for them. Unfortunately for the hosts, it was the latter as their opponents responded with gusto, scoring two tries which brought them within one more of levelling the scores.
With their confidence not so assured as it was 10 minutes previous, OFS needed a moment of inspiration to help them to regain their killer instinct. That came in the form of Arav with his hat-trick try. Again evading defenders with his turn of pace and powerful line running, Arav broke away to score from half way after a beautiful no-look pass from Alex Gong, who impressed on his first outing in senior rugby.
With a two score cushion restored, it seemed as though OFS would be able to see out the game and perhaps add to their tally against an increasingly frustrated away team. If only things were so simple.
Despite the best efforts of Hugo Dorrian and Zak O'Connor, who both defied their size and stature to make countless tackles, The Hall came storming back. Lead by their vocal captain at scrum half, they first scored through a rolling maul, not often seen at this level, and then grabbed another try with less than two minutes on the clock to level the scores at 30-30.
Players in red looked around crestfallen, despondent and at this point it looked as though they had thrown away their chance to grab an impressive victory against their much lauded opponents. Just like Journey, although with fewer questionable hairstyles, they did not stop believin'.
An excellent surge down the left from substitute winger Piyeeshan Sabeshan, who burst onto an offload on the gain line, saw him break into the opposition half before being felled by a lazy high tackle. With a tap penalty on the 22, OFS had the perfect attacking position to mount one more assault on The Hall's line. A knock-on halted their progress and it looked as though they would have to settle for a draw.
The excitement was far from over. In their eagerness to push on for the win themselves, The Hall knocked on and presented Orley with the ball and, after having several drives from Haroon Khan and the other forwards repelled, the ball was shipped out wide by fly-half Hugo and into the hands of Aditya Baral who darted over to score the biggest try of his rugby career so far.
All OFS had to do from the restart was be patient and wait for their opponents to make a mistake, or even better force one themselves. The man the revival began with, Aiden Whitham, took matters into his own hands and stripped the ball from his opposite number in the tackle before calmly walking the ball out of play to end the game.
Both physically and emotionally draining, this game had it all and maybe this will send seismic tremors to shake the very foundations of prep school rugby. If it doesn't at least it was all good fun and Orley Farm will be hoping that they can take this momentum into the rest of their season and build on this impressive victory.
Tries: A. Patel (3), A. Whitham, R. Patel, Z. Jamal, A. Baral
Simon Perry