OMs look to turn the corner

Old Blues 25 Old Millhillians 33

OMs' fluctuating season took another improbable turn with this NPI Cup second round dismissal of Old Blues, long-term residents in London League Division Two South.

For many years the two clubs were traditional rivals on the old boys circuit but the demise of friendlies meant that this was their first encounter for six years and what a cracker it turned out to be.

OMs had a dream start when, three minutes into the game, full back Jamie Goldberg collected a loose kick in his own 22 and ran the length of the field unopposed. Jamie Renvoize, finally back from injury, converted.

After a prolonged period of Blues pressure, they scored a brace of tries in quick succession thanks to their forwards.

OMs stayed in touch when Alistair Kane scooped up a loose ball a few metres out and dived over but another home try close to half time, this time converted, left the visitors trailing by an ominous 17-12 at the break.

In a pulsating second half OMs went further behind to a penalty but they were playing with enourmous spirit and were certainly not short of good possession.

In the end their doggedness was rewarded when Charlie Leslie scored with his trademark darting run from the base of a scrum. Renvoise converted to make it a tense 20-19 to the Blues.

Scenting victory, it was Leslie again who took OMs into the lead for the first time with another neat try under the posts and, just to make sure, Jamie Adler finished off a great handling movement to score wide out.

With both of those tries converted OMs were now 13 points ahead though that was narrowed on the stroke of full time when Blues wereallowed in for a soft try.

This Saturday OMs travel to close rivals Old Gaytonians in the league.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.