Old Yardleians 20 - Brackley 17
Old Yardleians won a thrilling encounter at Tilehouse Lane on Saturday when they defeated Northamptonshire side Brackley in the Senior Vase Cup. The Yardleians started slowly and allowed the Brackley fullback to score a try after eight minutes, converted by Mike Lowdell. From then on Old Yards had most of the play leading up to their first try in the twenty-sixth minute. Fly half Ian Neville put Ben Honey through a big gap and he raced down the field. As the Brackley defence closed in the ball was passed down the line to winger Jamie Walton who was stopped two yards short of the line. A ruck ensued from which Yardleians legend Peter Butler picked up the ball and drove over the line to score with three defenders on top of him. Ben Honey added the conversion from the touchline. That made it seven all at half time. Five minutes into the second half and Old Yards scored again. From a poor Brackley lineout, Steve Grainger stole the ball and sprinted over the line to score. Ben Honey again added the conversion. Brackley responded well and scored a try themselves when a forty metre run by Tom Gray gave him his second try as he slipped past a number of defenders. Peter Butler continued to have an influence on the match when he intercepted a Brackley pass to gallop up field towards the try line. After being stopped on the Brackley twenty-two the visitors infringed and gave away a penalty. Ben Honey converted it to make it 17-12 to Old Yards. Then with ten minutes to go Brackley scored a try by Nick Tustian to even up the scores.
In the final minute Old Yards were attacking the Brackley twenty two. Man of the Match, Mike Brennan, won yet another lineout and following a rolling maul by Old Yards towards the posts, Brackley infringed again and were penalised. With Ben Honey off the field injured, Jamie Walton stepped up and kicked the penalty to win the match for Old Yards 20-17.
Next week Old Yardleians are away to Selly Oak in the league with the seconds playing Selly Oak seconds at home. Both games kick off at 3pm.