Oaks Felled by Rampant Leo’s

Oaks had made the long trip north with a useful looking line-up that warmed up with vigour and co-ordination, in sharp contrast to the home sides aimless kicking and lineout fluffing.
The Portly Magician kicked off and Leo’s were soon under pressure as the visitors secured and recycled well as they applied early territorial advantage. The pack were in for a tough afternoon and were on their heels early on as Oaks drove deep, Weeny Ref spotted something not quite right, and Oaks took an early 3 point lead. Leo’s tried again and this time managed to secure turnover and work some good territory themselves. With Eags running from deep and hoping support would materialise the back row worked hard to recycle for the onward driving packmen with Si, Thommo and the ever improving Josh, (at 18 a full 41 years younger than Batman!), who is really finding his feet in big boys rugger. A scrum 20 yards out was won against the head as the front 5 set out their stall for the afternoon. Simon Cz picked and darted, drawing the cover for the rampaging Wilton to pile over! CJ relegated to the backs “as it was his turn” added the first of his three soon after before the forwards returned to the score sheet. Excellent driving and clearing out left a small(ish) gap for Tom W to power through and Scotty to add a couple. The Oaks were never downhearted and put the Leo’s pack under intense pressure at the competitive breakdowns where Thommo got angrier despite a good turnover return which gave the backs the room to dance and weave, giving space for Antek to interpret an Eagle swoop and dive over in the corner. 2 more tries were scored one by CJ, and another by the Portly Magician who found himself with three yards to run and no defence as he touched down for a rare try, converted by Scotty, as the half finished with Leo’s 34-3 up.
Demanding some sensible no showboating rugby JP shuffled his pack and Batman, Kinga and Ken Barlow joined the fray. Grant was relishing the centre role outside scampertastic Robbo and less mobile PM. Darting runs, good support, safe hands and recycling was the order of the day, once the Oaks had been repelled as they began the second half in much the same way as the first. Turned over time and again by Si Cz, Kinga and Josh the visitors wilted under intense pressure and Leo’s took advantage of the possession. Grant Gav and Robbo combined to release Scotty and the small footed lock crashed over from 10 yards. CJ completed his hat trick, followed by a second from Tomas the forward weighed in with half the tries. Sheffield kept coming back and after some ferocious defence from Leo’s they finally burst over for a well deserved try, despite Thommo’s fury at Weeny Ref’s interpretation at the breakdown. Weeny Ref handled the game well, keeping it flowing, even when Grant was pole axed by a (non malicious) high tackle but the width of his gate could do with a review! There was still time for Bully Boy Little Dave to carry himself and a number of fearless Oaks over the line with him for the final try and the game finished with the scoreboard masking the competitiveness of the match, played in excellent spirit and with the promise of a return fixture which will undoubtedly be much much closer.