League Champions

Horsham set about securing the league title with vigour and in doing so maintained their 100% record over a team sitting in 3rd in the league and who had claimed notable scalps on their travels this season. Old Dunstonians have the veritable League of Nations in their ranks with a large group of Eastern European imports in the forwards complemented by some sprightly backs hailing from Down Under and the combination meant that Horsham would need to be playing well to secure the win.

Playing against the stiff breeze, the team expected to be defending their half for long periods before half time, but with the expansive play being executed well, Horsham began to exert pressure through quick phase ball that moved the larger opponents around the park. Following two probes into the opponents 22m, on 11 minutes, an OD’s clearance kick was returned with interest when Will Bell fielded the kick and countered. With James Whiting and Declan Nwachukwu in support and the ball finding its way to Jamie Gibbs who scored a well taken try. Tom Johnson converted the try in the first of a very successful day with the boot.

With the tails up, Horsham continued to play with a tempo that troubled the opposition. Recognising the narrow defence, Horsham spread the ball wide and when this tactic was countered, gaps opened up in the middle creating opportunity for breaks through the centre which Arun Thompson in particular seemed to be finding all too regularly. On 21 mins, following several phases of pressure, a training ground first phase move saw Johnny Ordidge burst through the middle to finish the try converted by Tom Johnson leaving the score 14-0

One of the tries of the afternoon followed on 28 mins when 5 players were involved in a sweeping moved that took the play from one side of the pitch to another and then back again. Jamie Gibbs received the ball in space and bearing down on the full back he found Tom Johnson and Declan Nwachukwu tracking his run and executed a simple 2v1 to Tom Johnson to score and subsequently convert his try. With no further score before half time the messages to the players were to focus on more of the same and look to limit the opposition score.

On 45 mins, fine defensive work in the centres pressured the opposition into spilling the ball with colts winger Declan Nwachukwu first to pounce on the loose ball and sprint in for a converted bonus point try from half way to the delight of the home crowd.

Despite the desire to keep OD’s from scoring, an attempt to counter on the blind side which would have undoubtedly lead to another try was subject to a last ditch interception by the OD’s centre who scored a converted try under the post. 28-7 after 52 minutes

Showing that Horsham’s attacking flair is well supported by defensive bite, Jamie Gibbs streaked in for his second following further pressure by the backs defensive line. Tom Johnson continued to kick superbly converting his 5th try on 64 minutes leaving the score 35-7

OD’s scored a second try when a lapse in concentration following a dropped ball in attack saw the ball kicked over the Horsham try line. With the foot race on to secure the touch down, the Horsham player did not ground the ball properly and OD’s scored a second try. The referee correctly awarded the try although there was doubt as to why the ball was dropped in the first place when the supporting Horsham player was clearly tackled without the ball. Despite this, the referee was excellent throughout and certainly contributed to both teams attempts at playing entertaining rugby. 68 mins played and the score at 35-12

Into the last 10 minutes and with the title clearly won, the Horsham team continued to play with intensity scoring a further 14 points in the final few minutes. Following great work in securing turnover ball by Iain Fisher, the ball was shipped wide to Will Bell who seeing the gap in the middle put on the after burners with a fine outside break that outpaced the considerably quick OD’s left winger to score under the posts for another converted try. Two minutes later, Johnny Ordidge took the ball outside Horsham’s 22m and bore down on the OD’s winger with Declan Nwachukwu in support. Timing the pass to perfection, the young colt streaked away to score the final converted try of the afternoon leaving the score line 49-12 after 74 minutes.
Horsham played a high tempo game that was executed with precision in the face of some stern opposition. The squad showed its depth again when potential disruption caused through injury to Johnny Goward on 45 minutes and Rich Tredgett on 60 minutes was handled with confidence. Replacement Ricky Tobin made his 1st team debut and had a good first run out whereas Dan Cass continued to show his skills at this level. The high tempo game seems to be to the liking of a number of players with all players doing well on Saturday. 18 year old Liam Brady filled injured Paul Talbot’s shoes admirably, holding his own in the scrum and putting in a number of telling contributions around the park including some big hits and soft hands to help set up a try. Johnny Ordidge found the space to his liking and made huge yards through the middle and led the defensive line well capping off a fine performance with a well taken try. The pack was hungry throughout and Iain Fisher and Giles Barber got through a huge amount of work to allow the space for others to enjoy. The back rows in particular were linking play and making breaks all afternoon with a fine performance from Scott Price. Until his injury, Rich Tredgett had controlled the lineout superbly and was complemented personally by the referee for his management of the team and the official. In the backs, James Whiting looked threatening with the ball in hand and played a big role in maintaining tempo in attack whereas young Declan Nwachukwu continues his impressive development at this level having now scored 5 tries in 4 appearances for the 1st team. Tom Johnson was again at the top of his game and is consistency personified given his contributions to the team all season. However, despite all these performances, 3 players in particular stood out for the man of the match with nothing splitting each of them. Arun Thompson was a threat every time he had the ball. Carrying with purpose and aggression, he gave the go forward ball that the team needed to attack with impunity. Taking full advantage of this space, Jamie Gibbs was both sharp in attack and hugely abrasive in defence showing his long term position to be at outside centre where he added further tries to an already prolific haul this season. Finally, Will Bell, converted to full back this season was imperious under the high ball and launched devastating counter attacks all afternoon capping off the afternoon with a fine individual try.

All in all a great afternoon’s rugby which contributed to the electric atmosphere in the clubhouse afterwards and the thrilling finale to the 6 Nations. Next up, Uckfield away and the opportunity to continue the unbeaten run to 17 League games.

Team: Bell, Whiting J, Gibbs, Ordidge, Nwachukwu, Johnson, Rush (Mills 60 mins), Brady (Cass 35 mins), Fisher, Barber, Goward (Tobin 45mins), Green, Price, Thompson, Tredgett (Cass 60 mins)