The Old Cranleighan 1st XV turned in an outstanding performance to beat London Welsh 31-3 at Old Deer Park (click here for match pictures), winning the RFU Junior Vase London title and setting up a semi-final away at Widden Old Boys in Gloucester on April 9. The prize for the winners of that tie is a game at Twickenham on May 7.
In blustery conditions, we dominated the line-out, had the stronger pack and made almost no handling errors. After a good start, it was no surprise when we scored in the corner after five minutes. Welsh cut the lead with a penalty in front of the posts, but a second, rather ambitious, attempt from halfway barely reached the 22. It was not a day for kicking for goal. A second try gave us a 10-3 lead at the break, although we had to dig deep as the Welsh pressed our line in the last five minutes of the half.
Despite having the wind at our backs, the Welsh came back at us hard in the second half but rarely looked like breaching the line as we put in some crunching tackles. A third try in the corner – well converted in the conditions – gave us breathing space and when Jumbo Jupp dived over after some excellent work by the pack with 15 minutes to go we were home.
To their credit, Welsh continued to press and the last ten minutes was played almost entirely in our 22, but so good was our defence that they never seriously threatened to score. A handling error in the 22 by the weary Welsh backs resulted in a breakaway try with the last play of the game to seal our place in the semi-finals.
Special mention to the supporters who were vocal and enthusiastic throughout – by the home side’s own admission the loudest they had hosted all season. And they had an impact on the pitch. After the third try one of the Welsh backs was heard to comment that “that lot in the stands are really winding me up”.
