Match Reports

For all competitive League games our latest match report will be posted by midnight on the Monday following our most recent game and can be read below - for archived reports please click on the right.                      

LSA gain their customary promotion..................

Saturday 12th April

by Oliver Ward

The final league game of the season created an exciting finale to what had been a long hard fought campaign. The prospect of a winner takes all game meant that the LSA boys were pumped up before kick off. Even with home advantage, the home supporters felt that LSA may still be slight underdogs. Old Wellingtonians started well and the ref was all too happy to blow his whistle after repeated LSA infringements. Their centre and kicker was able to slot home some difficult long range efforts to take the score to 9-0 after only 20 minutes. LSA had looked in control and the OW’s hadn’t looked like scoring but still LSA couldn’t get in the oppositions twenty two. But as the half went on LSA were able to rumble down the field and gain some valuable field position. The LSA pack showed their South African muscle allowing the backs to carve the the key openings towards the end of the half. Nick Osman was enjoying a fine game and for LSA’s first score, he glided past his opposite number after a very neat move and set the outstanding Malcolm Mirfin free to scoot over in the corner. But soon after the restart at 9 – 5, LSA infringed again and Old Wellingtonians enjoyed another long range kick to take the score to 12 - 5. The next score was going to be crucial and it went to LSA with Malcolm Mirfin again finding a gap in the centre to score from close range after another well executed move. With the converted try the sides went in at half time level at 12 - 12.

The second half opened up and so did the heavens - for a long period it was a mix of torrential rain and hail. LSA held their nerve and with the constant pressure of an aggressive defence didn’t give Old Wellingtonians a chance to play. The team were growing in confidence and took control of the game. Matt Fendick slotted over a cool penalty to give LSA the lead. Guthrie Hall was beginning to show his class with aggressive offense and defense from the base of the scrum and his running ability took LSA over the gain line time and again. Slowly but surely LSA ground the opposition down and could sense victory. The pack was working hard and kept the pressure on the Old Wellingtonians line. The lineout worked well despite the conditions with Guthrie Hall, Cyril Sauer, Hugo Baldwin and Chris Jones all winning vital ball and a number of the oppositions throw as well. With pressure now building on the Wellingtonians a penalty was given to LSA. Matt Fendick knocked over the 3 points to give LSA a lead of 18-12 and this was to prove to be the winning score as LSA kept the ball well in the near impossible conditions; LSA gained their 3rd promotion in 3 years and now will enjoy the challenge of London South West 3.

It was a real team effort with a special mention to the LSA physio’s who were working hard for both teams. Finally a deserved thanks must go to Bob Crooks and Trevor “The Major” Johnson - their hard work through the season culminating in a much deserved win and brilliant promotion. The club will be sad to bid farewell to Bob as he moves to Cambridge RFC in National 2 and LSA wish him all the best for the future.

WELL DONE WARRIORS!!!!!!

Calling all SA Rugby Supporters - LSA 80 Minutes From Glory........

Your country needs you – this Saturday 12th April, South Africa’s rugby outpost in the Capital, London South Africa, face Old Wellingtonians in the most important match in their history thus far. And the club are promoting the game widely to drum up a good crowd to get down to Imber Court to support. With pitch side beer wagon it promises to be a big match for all to enjoy.

Coming off the back of a magnificent five-game winning streak in the league (including two whitewashes, one by 95 points) the Warriors go into the game with confidence and aiming for their third consecutive promotion in 3 seasons.

Old Wellingtonians will be no pushovers though, as they were the only club this season to inflict a heavy defeat on the exiles in the first league encounter away in November. This time with home advantage, LSA should be slight favourites, but with both clubs vying for the last promotion place there is no doubt it will be tough for LSA.

It has been a long season for LSA, but after a blistering start they soon realised that they had made a step up in class, and players returning home disrupted the team which led to a mid-season wobble that threatened to de-rail promotion hopes. The team soon re-discovered their form, with the senior players leading the charge from the front.