Strong finish enabled table-topping Oundle Rugby Club to tame Leicester Lions
Oundle Rugby Club made it two wins out of two to become the early pacesetters in National League Two East.
A strong second-half showing enabled Oundle to see off Leicester Lions 40-10 at Occupation Road on Saturday. New director of rugby Gaz Collins – a former head coach at the visitors – had to issue a half-time wake-up call before his current charges hit their best form
But the said about the first half the better as Oundle struggled to put phases together, missed scoring opportunities and malfunctioned at the lineout.
The visitors took the lead on 20 minutes with a penalty and Oundle were then reduced to 14 men when foul play resulted in a yellow card for Shaun Adendorff. However a try and conversion from Ben Young restored the lead only for Leicester Lions to go ahead with a converted try, and at that stage they deserved their lead. Just prior to half time Kieran Frost touched down, Young converted and Oundle were rather fortunate to go in at the break 14-10 to the good. In the second period play ebbed and flowed between both sides, but it was not until the 67th minute that impressive back row forward Seth Roberts touched down to give Oundle some breathing space. The crucial bonus point try came on 74 minutes when hooker Grant Snelling scored a trademark try from a driving maul. With Leicester Lions tiring scrum half Fin Ogden finished off a fine backs move and this was quickly followed by a try-bursting break from captain Fraser Strachan. Both were converted by Jamie Annand to put some gloss on the final scoreline. It was a comfortable win in the end, but Oundle know they will need to be sharper when they make the long trip to Havant next Saturday (September 19) Oundle second team claimed another notable scalp beating level six outfit Bedford Athletic 69-22 while the club’s third team put up a good fight at Thorney before losing out 27-10.