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De la Salle 18 Aldwinians 0
patrick tyson26 Sep 2014 - 14:00
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Della defence comes out on top
Aldwinians were Della`s latest opponents at Lancaster Road with the first fixture between the two clubs for a number of years,so this game was a step into the dark for Della,but this game was very much anticipated by the knowledgeable Della faithful who just like a young virgin following her first kiss were left moist with anticipation of what was to come.The game started at a lively pace with Della taking the game to Aldwinians through the Della forwards, and although the visitors defence was holding firm they were having to work extremely hard to keep Della at bay.Then with Della looking good on the ball stand off John McAttee suffered a serious elbow injury and had to be replaced, which meant a major reshuffle in the back line.The early onslaught from the Della pack forced Aldwinians into giving away a series of penalties at the ruck with the visitors back row working hard to contain their opposite numbers in the Della ranks,and with ten minutes on the clock the visitors gave away a penalty in kickable range and second row Chris Petrou slotted the kick to give Della the first points of the game 3-0.Shortly afterwards the Della pack thought they had scored the first try when they drove under the posts to ground the ball only for the referee to pull them back and award Della a penalty for a ruck infringement ten metres back,Captain Paul Berry opted to run the ball but the Della pack could`nt break through, and the ball was cleared to the Della fullback Joe White who raced onto the attack and linked with his forwards to drive the ball once more towards the Aldwinians line and when the Della backs pushed into the visitors twenty two Della were awarded a penalty, which Petrou slotted to extend the lead 6-0. Although Della had control of much of the territorial advantage Aldwinians held a slight advantage in the scrum and the Della front row were having to work hard to try to get on terms in the tight,,the visitors back row were working hard in and around the ruck forcing too many errors from the Della ball carriers and then on twenty five minutes a shock for Della when hooker Steve Fernley was shown a yellow card for a high tackle.With half time approaching Della should have been well in front on the scoreboard but a glut of handling errors ruined their chances, this was most unlike this Della side which prides itself on its slick moves through the backs,but on this day you would have thought that some airborne virus had infected the Della dressing room either that or Della had been practicing knock ons this week in training.The half ran itself out with no further score from either side.
The Della coaches during the interval urged their charges to use the ball better,to recycle the ball and commit the visitors back row before letting the ball go along the back line.Della have the beating of Aldwinians through their back line but are releasing the line too early with little room to work in.
Della started the second half once more in a lively fashion snuffing out any aspirations that the visitors had of making a breach in the Della defence,the Della defence was based solidly on the back row of Paul Berry,Steve Brooks and Dewald Greyling,it was as if Dewald was back in his native South Africa following the spoor of his prey, and his prey this afternoon was the visitors back row.Although Della were having the better of this game and the physical aspect was taking its toll on the Aldwinians forwards, with the work load they were forced to take on.This game was in the balance for a long period of the second half with Della making too many unforced errors, and there was always the possibilty that the visitors would break out and steal the spoils .However with fifteen minutes to go Della winger Nick Petrou put in a kick up the left touchline and gave chase, replacement stand off Lee McCormick was first to the ball and drove into the Aldwinians twenty two with the Della pack in close support,the forwards recycled the ball this time with sure hands and following a series of phases back rower Steve Brooks raced up the left wing for a great try to put the game to bed, Petrou hit the posts with the converion and the ball went dead.There was just time left in the game for a strange sequence of events ,with Della pressing the visitors defence on the try line and close to the posts, an attempted clearance kick went wrong and it resulted in a game of ping pong between both packs with the ball eventually falling to the Della tight head prop Stuart Mills who touched down at the side of the posts, a try which Petrou converted 18-0.
Although any game when you deny the opposition any score is pleasing, this could and should have been more emphatic from the Della.But in saying that the Aldwinians back row worked extremely hard to deny Della and deserve great credit.However the Della back row were immense and therefore this weeks man of the match plaudits go collectively To Paul Berry,Steve Brooks and Dewald Greyling.
I apologise for the late posting of this report,Gremlins?
I also apologise i to any one who may take offence to some of the content of this report,this is due to the on going challenges i am set post match.
The Della coaches during the interval urged their charges to use the ball better,to recycle the ball and commit the visitors back row before letting the ball go along the back line.Della have the beating of Aldwinians through their back line but are releasing the line too early with little room to work in.
Della started the second half once more in a lively fashion snuffing out any aspirations that the visitors had of making a breach in the Della defence,the Della defence was based solidly on the back row of Paul Berry,Steve Brooks and Dewald Greyling,it was as if Dewald was back in his native South Africa following the spoor of his prey, and his prey this afternoon was the visitors back row.Although Della were having the better of this game and the physical aspect was taking its toll on the Aldwinians forwards, with the work load they were forced to take on.This game was in the balance for a long period of the second half with Della making too many unforced errors, and there was always the possibilty that the visitors would break out and steal the spoils .However with fifteen minutes to go Della winger Nick Petrou put in a kick up the left touchline and gave chase, replacement stand off Lee McCormick was first to the ball and drove into the Aldwinians twenty two with the Della pack in close support,the forwards recycled the ball this time with sure hands and following a series of phases back rower Steve Brooks raced up the left wing for a great try to put the game to bed, Petrou hit the posts with the converion and the ball went dead.There was just time left in the game for a strange sequence of events ,with Della pressing the visitors defence on the try line and close to the posts, an attempted clearance kick went wrong and it resulted in a game of ping pong between both packs with the ball eventually falling to the Della tight head prop Stuart Mills who touched down at the side of the posts, a try which Petrou converted 18-0.
Although any game when you deny the opposition any score is pleasing, this could and should have been more emphatic from the Della.But in saying that the Aldwinians back row worked extremely hard to deny Della and deserve great credit.However the Della back row were immense and therefore this weeks man of the match plaudits go collectively To Paul Berry,Steve Brooks and Dewald Greyling.
I apologise for the late posting of this report,Gremlins?
I also apologise i to any one who may take offence to some of the content of this report,this is due to the on going challenges i am set post match.
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