OEs begin life in new home with top display
OLD Elthamians director of rugby Gavin Lach hailed a blistering first-half display as his side christened their new home at College Meadow with a seven-try demolition of Clifton.
In a one-sided opening 40 minutes, OEs, roared on by their biggest home crowd for two seasons, shredded the visitors’ defence with five well-constructed tries.
And that left Lach ecstatic with his troops’ lightning start.
“That was the best 40 minutes of rugby we have played in National Two,” said Lach.
“It was our first game at our new home, in front of a large crowd, and everything just clicked.
“The hunger and desire were evident from the first whistle and we produced some superb rugby in that first half.
“We were never going to maintain that intensity for the whole game, and Clifton came back at us in the second period, as we knew they would, when we went down to 14.
“I’m delighted with the progress we are making week on week, but it’s still early days and this division is a real test of endurance. We are not going to get carried away.”
Captain Hamish Barton opened the scoring after four minutes and Dom Lespierre added a second just three minutes later, jumping highest to collect Tom White’s high kick.
And when Truman Sullivan rounded off some great interplay between White and full-back Chris Surman on 13 minutes, Clifton were in disarray.
The bonus point was secured when a slick break and clever offloads from Surman and hooker Jay Rudland-Thomas put scrum-half Ollie Claxton over.
There was no let-up as OEs spread the ball quickly and No.8 Harry Ledger forced his way over near the posts for a commanding 32-0 lead at the interval.
When OEs were reduced to 14 men after White was yellow-carded for a high tackle, Clifton finally got on the scoreboard as Dave Wheeler was driven over.
Clifton were given a brief glimmer of hope just three minutes later when Neil James collected a clever chip to score in the corner.
It was only a brief respite however, as James Golledge took a wonderful offload from man of the match centre Max Wilkins, and jinked his way over.
OEs replacement hooker Gavin O’Meara touched down on 73 minutes and though Clifton had the last word as wing Ian Clark dotted down, it was of little consolation to head coach Matt Salter.
“The game was lost in the first half,” Salter said.
“OEs were very good, we couldn’t maintain possession and they looked very dangerous every time they got the ball.
“The second half was much better and the players we brought in got better as it went on.
“But the damage was done. We are improving but need to start picking up some points.”