LONDON EXILES V WORTH OLD BOYS 16/9

LONDON EXILES V WORTH OLD BOYS – 16TH SEPTEMBER

Start of the League season and the day dawned on a Barn Elms that was short of moisture, with hard pitches and high temperatures offering a dual challenge for the first league match of the Season.

With imperfect preparation and a lot of squad members away for the RWC, the Exiles knew this was going to be a challenging start, nevertheless the 1XV took to the field in the heat and this years’ campaign was underway.

The Exiles made a brisk start and looked exciting from the off. The new coaching set up having clearly added direction and system to the Exiles’ attack.

Worth are a well organised team and had good organisation and discipline. They also play an attractive and open style of rugby. And it was Worth that opened their account first with a well worked try. 

Exiles stepped up and the match ran forward in a very tit for tat manner, with both sides scoring tries from exciting open running play.

Unfortunately for Exiles, whilst our attack was good, our defence let us down in parts, particularly in the second twenty and first ten minutes of the second half when three soft scores were conceded.  However, Exiles tightened up well, scoring 3 tries in the final 25 mins, but the off patch in the middle of the game cost us. 

At the final whistle, the difference was two soft tries let through in open play. Some tighter defence and it could have been anyone’s game in the final throws of the match. 

Beers and food aplenty in the Red Lion afterwards – it is good to be back.

Plenty of positives to take away from an enjoyable opening salvo, with plenty of the squad to return over the next few weeks and plenty for the Coaches to build on. Bring on the season.

Result: Lost

LERUFC  35 – 54  WOB

Scorers:

Tries: Gray, Gordon, Angelov 2, Smith

Conv: Campbell 5

MOTM: Loz

DOTD:Loz – work that one out of you can !!