Old Scouts put in a workmanlike shift to gain a five-point maximum and season’s double over Oadby Wyggestonians.
From the start the game was looking very similar to the corresponding fixture last season when Scouts had the territorial advantage and Wyggs threatened only with breakaways.
This resulted in a break from midfield that saw the hosts open the scoring after six minutes and although the kick was missed their fly-half knocked over a penalty mid-way through the half.
Play was pretty frantic from both teams as they struggled for cohesion following a three-week break after the weather had intervened for the game prior to Christmas and the holiday festivities accounted for the other two.
Scouts’ attacking philosophy eventually paid dividends when they drove an attack down the right flank and then quickly redistributed the ball left.
Full-back Tom Powell entered the line and his elusive running resulted in a try for winger Ben Crossland.
Adam Frost converted against his former club and although Wyggs’ scrum-half was sent to the bin for a team offence, the visitors could not capitalise and went into the break 8-7 down.
Wyggs were first on the scoresheet after the break with a penalty, but Scouts immediately responded.
Skipper Russell Lynch was pulled back when he thought he had scored after a charge down but when he received the ball moments later he created an overlap to put Crossland in for his second of the afternoon. Although Frost missed the conversion, Scouts were in the lead for the first time.
This lead did not last long. Wyggs, well led by their fly-half, were clearing any attempts by Scouts and when they were awarded a penalty on the 22 the 10 broke through and an excellent back-handed pass saw the lead change hands again when they touched down under the sticks.
A further penalty from the Wyggs fly-half increased their lead but then he blotted his copybook by deliberately stopping a potentially try-scoring pass with one hand and receiving a yellow card for his sins.
Scouts were pushing hard to take advantage of the extra player and following a sniping run from Matt Brown, Powell was on hand to dot down for Frost to convert.
Scouts continued to attack. One such attack saw second row Richard Bussey on a long, storming run which placed the home defence in disarray and allowed Lynch to touch down for the try bonus point. Frost converted to give Scouts a five-point advantage.
Scouts survived any further attacks, even though they received a yellow card awarded for killing the ball in a last-ditch effort to keep their line in tact, and ran the clock down for the deserved win.
Solid defence seals superb win for Tows
Towcestrians produced a superb defensive effort to record a fine 14-10 victory over Midlands One East leaders Peterborough Lions.
Starting the brighter of the two sides, Tows’ backs looked capable of inroads, David Williams breaking through the centre.
He was then stopped just short of the posts but gracefully gave the ball to back row George Symonds who crashed over, James Falvey’s conversion giving Tows the required start.
A mixture of the ball retention of the Lions big pack and Tows’ poor kicking into the breeze slowly let the visitors back into the game as they began to call the shots.
This led to a penalty try that which was highly disputed amongst the Tows fans, levelling the scores.
With Tows struggling to make their way out of their own half, a penalty from the Lions fly-half saw the visitors leading 10-7.
By this stage the pitch had begun to cut up, withboth sides trying to move the ball around.
The strong running Lions backs were repeatedly brought down by Tows’ midfield consisting of Charlie Barker, Williams and Chrissie George.
Tows debutant Nicky Blackham was then yellow carded after only 10 minutes on the pitch.
Tows then began to look dangerous with their forwards making territory for the backs to do their stuff and move the ball from side to side.
A final long pass then bobbled at the feet of Dave Stocks, his optimistic kick ahead paying off as he won the race to the ball and scored.
Falvey’s fine kick went over via the post.
Tows played out the last 20 minutes of the game, their committed defence repelling everything the Lions threw at it.
This weekend Tows travel to Ilkeston.
Tows IIs slipped to only their second defeat of the season, 34-31 at Leighton Buzzard.
The IIIs won 33-12 at Stewarts & Lloyds.
Bad start for ONs
It was not a happy new year for the ONs as they slipped to a 19-10 defeat to Paviors in Nottingham on Saturday.
They led 10-5 at half-time but failed to score a point after the break as poor kicking out of hand once again gave the opposition the opportunity to counter attack and all of Paviors’ second half points came from this failing. ONs’ points came from a Will Kingston try, converted by Alex Rose. Rose also kicked a penalty.
Heathens let it slip
Heathens opened 2013 with a spirited performance at Long Buckby IIs in the Courage Best League of the Wells Bombardier merit tables. Heathens led 15-7 at half-time but failed to score in the second half and were eventually beaten 27-15.
Heathens’ tries came from Dan Stonehouse and Jason Duckworth.
New club record
A perfect start to the new year as Brackley maintained their impressive league form with a thumping 102-0 victory at home to Bourne on Saturday.
It was a dream start to the new year for coach Matt Titchener, who saw his players post a club record in scoring 15 tries, 12 conversions and a penalty without reply.
Late drama wins it
Daventry scored a late drop goal as they pipped Stewarts & Lloyds 11-9 at Steffen Hill.
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