Dubs 22 - Egham Hollowegians 16 (01/03/08)
The return fixture saw us back at Egham's ground for the second time, having not had a home pitch available for the first fixture.
Injuries and unavailability saw a somewhat makeshift Dubs team take to the field, with the tight five comprising 4 props and a hooker and Ed finding himself drafted into outside centre on his return from seeing the world. With conditions very boggy underfoot, the scrums were surprisingly stable and pack were able to provide some stable ball at the base for Ross to play the wide game we had planned. Peds at inside centre had a field day, carving through the opposition at will and with the back row in hot pursuit managed to offload and continue the move a number of times, at times great to watch. The backs were threatening every time they got behind the Egham defences and with a very mobile back row we enjoyed good continuity of phases for the opening quarter.
A backs move out to the right saw the ball nearly over the line, and with the Egham defences drawn wide a long looped pass into midfield saw yours truly fortunate enough to latch onto it and go over under the sticks, Rob converted, 7-0. Determined to keep the game fast, the key was quick ball at the breakdown and with Egham slowing the ball down and the Dubs forwards guilty of hands in the ruck on too many occasions, the penalty count soon overtook the scoreboard. Once the ball started going wide again it was game on and a good move through the hands saw Jamie skin his opposite number to go over in the left corner, unconverted, 12-0.
In the second half Egham came out the more determined side.and pulled back a penalty soon after to reduce the lead to 12-3. The Egham backs broke through a number of times but poor support play and resolute Dubs defence saw the moves break down. Egham then amazed everyone by snatching a drop goal from a decent distance, from memory the first we have seen this season and good points, 12 - 6.
We were at times slow to the breakdown and not into the defensive line quickly enough. Under threat from an Egham backs move, Nick intercepted the ball to the centre and broke through to offload to Coops who made it to the right corner to touch down (unconverted), 17 - 6. Credit to Phil who was on his shoulder in support but he should have known there was no offload coming! Egham continued to fight but a surge up the middle saw Neil claim the ball from the breakdown and fight his way under the left hand upright (literally) for a well-deserved score with 2 or 3 Egham defence on his back, unconverted, 22-6.
Sadly, we then totally went to sleep thinking the game was won (deja vu?) and shortly after ill discipline saw Neil sent to the sinbin for 10. Egham rallied well to take advantage and scored a try through their forwards in the left corner, unconverted, 22 - 11. Some harsh words from Coops followed and we more or less rejoined the game, but Egham were fired up and claimed another score at the death through the backs to finish the game very respectably at 22-16.
All in all a very enjoyable game with some voluble (if not exactly intellectual) Scottish/Saffa exchanges of banter, some great phases of play from a somewhat thrown together side and good spirit prevailing throughout. Special mention to the ex-KCL boys who led the way in attack, the back row boys who supported well and to Phil who is improving with every game on the wing. Photos have been posted to the Picture Gallery.
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