Match Report: Saturday 5th November 2005

LSA vs Hertford 3

LSA build on last weeks victory with solid win at home

LSA started this game looking to build on their improved performance against Barking Dev’t the week before. 

The opening exchanges were dominated by LSA with Hertford unable to put any significant pressure on their defence. The LSA front row had been depleted through injuries and unavailability meaning that Mark Porter had been pressed into action at loose head prop with Ryan Hendrikz switching to hooker. The settling in of the new look front row meant that the LSA set piece scrum was often under pressure in the opening phases of the game.

Solid defence from both the LSA forwards and backs snuffed out early attacks by Hertford.  It wasn’t long before the enterprising play of the back line had moved play well into the Hertford 22. Mark Otto at openside was linking well with the backs and producing some excellent attacking play and by the end of the first quarter LSA were looking most likely to score first. 

After some more good attacking play by LSA it was the strong running of the their back line that set up Nick de Kock to open the scoring for LSA. This was no more than LSA deserved having had what appeared to be a perfectly good William Bussell effort ruled out a little earlier. LSA debutant Mike Kuipers was also beginning to show some really strong running from the base of the scrum, giving some real cutting edge to the forward play.

Hertford had an opportunity to get back quickly with the award of a penalty for a late tackle by LSA but they were unable to take their chance so the score remained at 5-0. It didn't take long for the referee to even things up with LSA being awarded a penalty of their own, giving the confident Matt Fendick the chance to push play back into the Hertford half.

In the 28th minute LSA crossed the Hertford line again but were not given the try on account of an alleged double movement.  The ensuing penalty allowed Hertford to clear their 22. From the line out which followed Hertford cleared down the field but the ball was returned well by Bevan Williams. Hertford were beginning to kick a lot of possession away and after one such kick the ball was taken by William Bussell who with some great play avoided the tackle and made a good 30 metres.  From the kick on by Bussell the Hertford player did not release and they were penalised. Having had some intensive practice the LSA scrum half, John Turner, was unlucky to hit the post and see the ball rebound into play.

On 35 minutes the forwards again produced good ball and with Matt Fendick laying on a great pass to Nick Osman, he was able to step inside some weak Hertford midfield defence to cross for his fifth score of the season. JT was finding his range now and comfortably slotted the extra points to leave LSA leading 12-0 at halftime. LSA had finished the half well with the forwards dominating their oppoents particularly in the loose.

At the break Justin Venter replaced the injured Bevan Williams on the wing.

In the early exchanges of the second half it quickly became clear that Hertford weren’t going to go down without a fight… literally. An accidental high tackle on one Hertford player only added to the atmosphere on the pitch but the referee showed some admirable restraint in not brandishing a yeloow card.

On 50 minutes Mike Kuipers again showed his strong running helping LSA into the Hertford 22. Hertford were to regret the poor kick out of defence that followed - Mark Otto retrieved the kick and linked well with Turner who kept the ball moving to Carl van der Walt with Justin Venter crossing for a good finish on the left wing to put LSA 17-0 up.

Hertford came back strongly again and LSA had to be at their best to keep Hertford out as they pressed and pressed. Eventually the LSA forwards broke down the attacks and won some good turnover ball allowing Turner to clear to the half way line. Bruce McCleland, having another dominant display in the lineout, provided more good service off the top of the line out. On 55 minutes Mark Otto was replaced by Dominic Biezanek, making his second appearance for the club this season.

A few minutes later and another great take by McCleland set up to the backs who moved the ball quickly through the hand, finding a grateful Chris Assad on hand on the left wing to go over in the corner. LSA were then able to use their 22-0 lead to make another change with John Turner being replaced at scrum half by Roland Suttie, also making his second appearance for the club.

From the restart Ryan Williamson took the ball well to set up a good ruck - LSA were now dominating all aspects of the game with Fendick orchestrating the back line to good effect. Continuing the personnel changes Carl van der Walt made way for AJ Swart with Assad moving to centre and AJ taking up the lucky left wing berth.

What followed was a poor five minutes of play from LSA – a lack of concentration first let the Hertford no 9 in for a free score almost unchallenged. The pressure was now beginning to build from Hertford and in spite of some great defence LSA were not looking like the same team. Unsurprisingly Hertford scored again within minutes with a strong forward drive to make the score 22-14.

Feeling the pressure for the first time in the match LSA turned to Bruce McCleland for some good quality quick ball from the lineout. LSA were still making the odd silly mistake and gave away a throw in to Hertford that could have given a springboard  to Hertford to complete their unlikely comeback. JT had other ideas as he had by now rejoined the game in the back row for Ryan Williamson and very quickly he was involved in play leading to the next score for LSA. From good turnover ball, some good hands ensured that the ball was moved wide quickly and AJ Swart ran in a good team score in the corner. 

The scoring was completed with a good attack from the scrum by Mike Kuipers, linking well with Ryan Williamson (back on for a brief final spell) and it was his pass that put Andrew Midgeley into space to score in the corner… the fastest substitute try so far in LSA’s short history. 

A special mention must go to William Bussell as the players' man of the match as well as to Gert van Dewenter. Both were playing their last games for the club for the foreseeable future – LSA would like to wish them both well and hope to welcome them back in the near future.

The score finished 32-14. 

Starting XV

Mark Porter, Ryan Hendrikz, Aldo du Plessis, Bruce McCleland, Ryan Williamson, Mark Otto, William Bussell, Mike Kuipers, John Turner, Matt Fendick, Bevan Williams, Nick Osman, Carl van der Walt, Gert van Dewenter, Nick de Kock.

Substitutes

Andrew Midgeley, AJ Swart, Roland Suttie, Justin Venter, Chris Assad, Dominic Biezanek