The OGs travelled to winless Aylestonians on Saturday looking for a big win to get their campaign back on track after a disappointing first league defeat of the season a fortnight earlier.

However, all thoughts of a large victory to help improve their points difference were quickly banished by the atrocious weather conditions and a plucky Aylestonians side who took a shock early lead. The OGs had good attacking possession inside the opposition half and looked to release their backs, but a handling error in the centres allowed Aylestonians to hack through and go over for the try. The conversion was missed.

From the restart the OGs showed great ‘bouncebackability’ and began to put serious pressure on the home side, particularly in the scrum. This dominance led to an Armitage penalty, which reduced the deficit to 5-3, and then the OGs took the lead with some smart finishing following an Aylestonians mistake. A poor clearance kick was taken by winger Steve Brierley, who rounded his opposite number and with the defence closing placed a well weighted kick inside for centre Kiwi Alex to score. Richard Armitage added the conversion to take the OGs into a 10-5 lead.

Aylestonians added 3 points of their own following a dubious penalty given for offside on the OGs 22. The visitors’ pack then really began to show their muscle, and having been awarded a scrum deep in Aylestonians territory easily pushed the opposition over their own line for No.8 Brian King to score. Armitage missed the conversion and the sides turned round at half-time with the OGs 15-8 up.

The second half continued in much the same way as the first, with the OGs enjoying the lion’s share of territory and possession but struggling to make it tell due to untimely mistakes, dubious refereeing and the difficult conditions. The OGs pack continued to dominate in the scrum, and a well worked blindside move from the base of the scrum allowed winger Stuart Arscott to score the first of his 2 tries. Armitage missed the conversion leaving the score at 20-8.

Aylestonians then managed a rare foray into the OGs 22 and forced a penalty which was successfully kicked to reduce the deficit to 9 points. However, any chances of an Aylestonians revival were crushed soon afterwards when their winger and fullback both went for the same high ball. The ball was spilled allowing the ever-alert Arscott to hack the ball through and score his second try of the match. The conversion was missed to leave the OGs in a 25-11 lead.

The visiting side then comfortably saw out the concluding 10 minutes to leave with the victory and the 2 league points. The OGs will be pleased with the result, but will be looking for a more polished performance next Saturday when they travel to bottom of the table Corby.