With some confusion over a slightly rearranged pushback time, Oundle were up long before the sun to travel to Rugby, to play Rugby & East Warwickshire 4s.
Last week’s disappointing result had not dismayed Oundle who once again travelled with a strong full squad, debuts being handed to Oundle Cricket former captain; Tommy Simeons, and Alex Scott, who is the son of Oundle Hockey club legend and one of its founding members; Simon Scott.
Captain Ben Edis had clearly not woken up as he announced the formation with both Brenners and Willow slotting in at left back!
As the sun rose over Rugby’s fresh pitch the match started and despite the half the Oundle team still being asleep they started well which seems to have become a trademark of this season.
Oundle were calm in possession, transitioning the ball well, looking for an opening. One ball which proved to be effective in the early stages was Jimmy Moore, playing the long ball through to George Martin who was able to spin his man but unlucky not to provide the finishing touches.
Despite the early pressure a mistake at the back by Oundle was capitalised on by Rugby, Oundle lost possession on their 23, the Rugby through ball found their striker who was able to get there first and lift it over the onrushing Youngy in goal.
Oundle were not dismayed however and continued with their game. Moments later Oundle thought they had their equaliser; the ball coming from the right, flicked up off of a Rugby stick into the path of Monty Drewett, who slotted home, only for the umpires to rule it out and award Oundle a short corner instead.
Oundles 2nd chance came with the shot beating the goalkeeper, just not the covering Old Dan Phillips on the line who showed superb reflexes to block the shot and keep Rugby in the lead.
Completely against the run of play on the break, Rugby won their first short corner of the game, a straight strike found the bottom corner nutmegging the postman on the way through.
Half time bought Oundle some reprieve with Rugby on top. The management opting to go for the hairdryer treatment.
This seemed to work as Oundle started the 2nd half very strong, not allowing Rugby outside their half, relentlessly pressing to win the ball back. The Rugby keeper was in inspired form to keep Oundle out.
With the midway point of the half approaching, Oundle looked out of ideas and Rugby were gaining confidence, looking to hit Oundle on the break wherever possible.
At this time one debutant Alex Scott, stood up and with his Dad watching on from the dugout with both pride at his son, and disgust that Oundle being 2-0 down ‘would never have happened in his day.’
Alex ran down the right wing beating numerous Rugby players and getting into the D, his cross found Monty Drewett who, wiping out Tristan Ashby in the process hit home to reduce Oundles deficit to 1.
Shortly after this, the game became stretched, both teams had some opportunities but were unable to convert. Both teams could also be considered lucky to not be reduced to 10 men, The Rugby keeper taking out George Martin who was through 1-on-1 and Jimmy Moore who did something similar.
With the game entering its final stages, Oundle were again pushing for an equaliser, with even the kitchen sink was thrown at the goal, Rugby stood firm.
But playing for Oundle there is a man, a man few can understand, a man who is at one with the flying Rhinoceros of his native South Africa. Up step John Pickstone, he controlled the ball, cut inside his man onto his reverse and proceeded to hit the ball the cleanly. The ball flew into the bottom right corner, an unstoppable shot that no keeper in the world would have saved, even saying that doesn’t do the goal justice.
With the game entering its final moments, Oundle tails were up and Rugby were under the cosh, and if it wasn’t for the superb reflexes of their keeper, Oundle would have been out of site.
In the dying minutes of the game, after peppering their goalkeeper, going close with a short corner and a point blank strike, George Martin finally made the breakthrough for Oundle nutmegging the keeper with a vicious strike.
Oundle were in the lead for the first time in the game and only had to defend their lead for a couple of minutes. Despite some late Rugby pressure Oundle held out to claim the win 3-2 after being 2-0 down at half time!
It was a superb win which sees Oundle stay 3 points of top of the league heading into the break. Oundle are away again after the break against old rivals Saints 3! HWTL.