RUGBY UNION: JAMES Orbinson scored two tries as Old Laurentians beat a determined Belgrave side 15-6 to move within just four points off Midlands 2 East (South) leaders Luton, reports Bill Wallis.
The home side were straight out of the blocks in front of the club’s vice presidents on Saturday as they camped themselves inside their opponents 22 for the opening ten minutes.
The visitors were denied any possession and after holding a series of close drives by the lines, Orbinson was finally able to breach the defence to go over, with Jon Bean adding the extras for a 7-0 lead with 11 minutes on the clock.
Despite missing their first choice lock forwards, OLs were comfortable in the set pieces with Robin Corrigan and Ash Moore more than holding their own in the scrum and lineout.
But the game degenerated into a midfield stalemate during the second and third quarters, punctuated only by two penalty goals for Belgrave, and half time arrived with OLs holding a slender 7-6 lead.
Although OLs were enjoying a greater share of possession and territory, the game was still in the balance as the second half wore on but OL’s defence was unyielding and Belgrave rarely threatened the home line.
The deadlock was broken again in the 70th minute when a raking kick from Bean towards the corner put the visitors’ defence under pressure and a sweetly worked routine at the front of the following lineout resulted in Orbinson going over in the corner for his second try and a 12-6 lead.
When the visitors’ defence got into a tangle on their 22 and fell offside, the referee immediately blew for a penalty despite Jordan Bunn seizing the loose ball to go over and touch down.
But Bean kicked the penalty for the three points when it should have been seven, and OLs were now two scores ahead at 15-6 which is how it stayed at the final whistle.
The win moves OLs up to sixth in the table in what is becoming a highly competitive league and they closed the gap behind leaders Oakham to just four points ahead of this Saturday’s trip to Oakham.
