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London Exiles v Old Johnians – 7th December 2024

20  - 7

“Lovely day for it!” was the caption Edge put against a grey photo of a muddy and very storm Darragh windswept pitch in Wimbledon.

The Exiles and Old Johnians were the only teams braving the weather and Edge the only supporter on one occupied pitch out of ten post clad strips of grass. Little wonder – it was bitter.

Despite the miserable weather the Exiles had a strong 18-man squad. Welcome after a challenging set of November results.  

Starting into the 50mph wind, the Exiles started well and pressed OJ’s quickly into their own territory. The first ten minutes was a huge arm wrestle, with territory ceded both ways and some big collisions on both sides. The Exiles found themselves up field courtesy of strong carrying notably from BdT, Sawbs, Kiwi. The whole of the Exiles pack, was now really starting to get into its task. 

Exiles pushed up to the OJ’s 22, where the pressure showed and OJ’s were penalised. Hawksy stepped up and broke the deadlock with a well taken kick, Exiles 3 – 0 OJ’s.

The Exiles were starting to get in their stride. The power of Sawbs running from the base of the scrum working with Seb and feeding the backline was stretching OJ’s. The hard running and sniping ‘pick and go’s’ by the tight five, Kiwi, Callum, Whaldog, Niall and Granty, were continually pushing back OJ’s and making valuable yards. 

OJ’s managed a couple of sorties deep into Exiles territory from some loose penalties and the wind adding long yards to their kicks, but the defence of the Exiles was epic, with Callum putting in his trademark tackles and a dogged wall holding OJ’s back. The backline, marshalled by Hawsky at 10, and led by Loz and Oli in the centres, tackled superbly and consistently stopped a strong OJ back line. Harry, Bebbs and Connor were lively in the back three, coping with all that was thrown at them and managing the strong threat of OJ’s out wide.

The weather however dictated that this was going to be largely an attritional 10 man game and for much of the first forty, it was exactly that. The Exiles pack was immense, in both attack and in defence.  But the real turn came halfway through the half at an OJ scrum. As the ball was fed in the Exiles pack released an enormous drive, the OJ’s front row folded and Exiles forced a scrum penalty. Campbell took the ball at the resulting line out from Niall and six phases later Sawbs drove over the line to score close to the posts. Duly converted by Hawksy, Exiles 10 – 0 OJ’s.

Exiles had their tails up. Great Hands from clean 1st phase stretched OJ’s and a superb set of hands from Hawksy through Loz and Oli saw Bebbs only just denied a try in the left corner. However, the pressure was not lifted and shortly after a penalty came and Hawksy’s trusty boot delivered the kick.

Halftime Exiles 13 – 0 OJ’s.

The halftime huddle was determined. Passion and belief and more of the same in the second forty.

The second half brought the wind to Exiles favour, which Hawksy used to territorial advantage.  The Exiles were relentless in their work ethic even as the mud got heavier and bodies got tired. 

The scrummaging advantage continued and from a line out after another scrum penalty, the Exiles pack drove 20 yards to go over the OJ line, only for BdT to unfortunately lose the ball over the line.

The resulting clearance was regathered and Exiles continued to exert pressure, a strong passage of play, with the forwards and backs interchanging through phases saw Granty held up over the line, by valiant OJ defence.  In the close quarters Campbell took a knee to the head and came off, with Nunu replacing him on the flank.

The  Exiles eventually broke the deadlock, with a series of phases that saw Niall drive over from close quarters to score. Hawsky dutifully converted and Exiles extended to 20 – 0.

Whaldog gave way to a spritely Pottsy, to put some fresh meat into the front row and the Exiles entered a period of steadfast defence as OJ’s stepped up their game in the mid second half. Huge hits being delivered by the whole side and bodies were constantly laid on the line to keep the OJ’s at bay.

With around ten minutes to go OJ’s finally breached the Exiles defence to score and convert to bring the score to 20 – 7.

Loz gave way to Sarge in the centres. All eighteen on the field were now working at full pitch. The fresher legs looking to help tired bodies 75 minutes into the fray. 

As the clock moved into the final five minutes, OJ’s had control of the ball and put huge pressure on the Exiles who were asked to defend time and again on the five yard line.  Huge commitment kept OJ’s at bay and in the final seconds. The Exiles pack then drove the OJ’s back twelve yards and forced the turnover. Granty came up with the ball and made valuable yards and then slipped a backhand pass to Nunu who kicked the ball to touch. The final whistle brought a huge cheer from the Exiles. A hard fought and well-earned victory. 20 – 7.

The result was broadcast on the WA group and brought immediate comment from Dublin – “group hug in the showers tonight” !! Well, if nothing else at least a barrel load of beers…!

Good shift lads. An important win with which to head into the second half of the season, starting against Media next weekend.

MOTM: Brian du Toit – as ever a masterful 80 minutes in the 7 shirt, powerful carrying, hard tackling and constantly causing the OJ attack problems at the breakdown.

DOTD: Brian du Toit – For dropping the ball over the OJ try line after a superb 20 yards maul - perhaps a little harsh as his only mistake!

Final score 20 – 7.

Record: W 4 – D 0 – L 7 Points: For 313 Ag 292 Diff +21

New Season 2024 / 2025 approaches and there’s great news…….

Welcome all to the fast-approaching new rugby season.

As a Club we are very excited about the forthcoming season and if you are new / prospective player, please get in touch with via this website or through Insta and come and join up.

We are very excited and delighted to announce that Morgan Lovell has agreed to renew its Sponsorship of the Club for the new season. This is a very important boost for the Club. 

Morgan Lovell is the UK’s leading office interior design and fit out specialist. And is part of the Morgan Sindall Group plc, a leading UK Construction & Regeneration group. This sits well with the Club’s natural strength on the Real Estate world. 

We look forward to working closely with the ML team.

We are also excited to announce a new coaching team for 2024 / 2025, full details of which will be released in due course, but which will bring more structure to our league campaign and, we are sure, elevate our players and results to the next level.  

There is plenty of Summer fun going on at present and remember touch rugby is happening every Saturday morning in Clapham at 10.30am followed by a couple of refreshers! Come and join us.