Nothin' New
Hall guaranteed a berth in the Iffley Road final with a composed away win. From the kick-off, New's backs looked scared. Inside-centre Townsend made amends for a dropped pass with a sweetly struck penalty. Hall countered immediately, however, when centre Caffall broke through on the right for the opening try.
Despite an impressive 30-metre drive from Teddy's growling pack, Ridgeway frightened them out of the woods with some fearsome tackling. There would be no picnic just yet. Neat service from the breakdown by New's scrum-half Ling, and wily punting by Townsend put New inside the visitor's 22. Hall succumbed, conceding three penalties: Townsend casually converted two, but missed from in front of the posts. After 24 minutes, the New Army's command was 9-7.
Venter's penalties nudged Hall back ahead before Blues hooker "Deri" Griffiths powered over from close range to extend the half-time lead to 20-9.
At the interval, a New supporter grabbed some frozen peas from one of the overlooking houses. Rendel was thus able to ease the smart of his leg injury, but could do little to prevent Caffall's second try when Ridgeway was turned over from a no. 8 pick-up on his own line.
New responded at the restart with a massive bosh by lock Richard Graham. Ling popped to his blind-side wing, who bullied Hall towards their own line, but the trenchmen held firm. Nine-year veteran prop Chris Shipley vented his frustration by shoeing Hall's no. 8 Stephens. All this proved in vain as Hall asserted their superiority.
The westerly wind helped Teddy's stand-off Edwards to ease the pressure downfield. His boot also created the best try of the match. First a grubber, then a chip and chase produced a quick turnover in New's 22. The ball was spun wide to long-haired flanker Chamberlain, who touched down in the corner.
New refused to surrender, running the ball from anywhere. Hall began to relax, but still managed two more tries, one of them from a textbook catch-and-drive lineout. This picnic was sweet for Teddy Hall.
27th Feb 2003