London South Africa move up to second with comfortable 31 - 6 win over Croydon

11th November 2006

Looking to make amends for a disappointing result the week before, it was a focused and determined LSA that took to the field at home to Croydon. Croydon had had mixed results coming into this fixture and as such LSA couldn’t be sure what to expect.

Croydon opened up in determined fashion and took advantage of two LSA unforced errors to take two of their early chances with the boot, moving them into a 0 – 6 lead after ten minutes. However, LSA showed good composure with skipper Nick Osman and pack leader Werner Swanepoel organising well. Once LSA began to achieve territorial superiority it was not long before some good phase play culminated in Osman side stepping his way through a flat footed Croydon defence to open the scoring for LSA. Jarred Vock converted, something he was to do all afternoon with great composure.

With LSA leading 7-6 at the time, the key 5 minutes in the game came just before half time. The impressive David Kelly ran in two good tries in quick succession after good interlinking play by forwards and backs. With Vock converting both LSA went in at half time 21 – 6 to the good.

If there was a slightly disappointing aspect to the game it was that when they wanted to add some good scores to the comfortable half time position it just didn’t quite happen. Solid endeavour was not enough to breach the Croydon line for most of the second half but finally, in injury time, full back Malcolm Mirfin showed some great skill, starting and finishing a great solo score from the 10 metre line to give a better look to the final score, a solid 31 –6 win.

“This result puts us back on the front foot and we are looking to add some strong results before Christmas to cement second place” said UK Director Justin Paige, “we need to keep the pressure up on the leaders so we can’t afford to ease off with Wellingtonians going well at the top”.

Surrey Squad:

Werner Swanepoel, Aldo Du Plessis, Ryan Williamson, Gareth Dickson, Anton Kriel, Keiran Gaffney, Mark Howell, Willem Marais, Tom Hendry, Jarred Vock, Nick Osman, Trevor Grundelingh, Gary Johnston, Malcolm Mirfin, David Kelly, Andrew Midgely, Denis Schutte, Ellis Stanyon.