OLs eventually emerged the victors in this hard fought and closely contested local derby. AEI’s much changed team competed well and the pack scrummaged magnificently throughout, but ultimately it was a combination of OLs youth and better second phase possession that won them the match.
The only score in the first half was a converted OLs try following a couple of missed tackles by AEI. AEI then started the second half strongly and after a spell of forward pressure close to the OLs line, the ball eventually reached Paul Thompson who scored between the posts. As the half wore on, OLs came back into the game and then went further ahead following a hotly-disputed quickly taken line-out. With the AEI heads down, OLs quickly scored again but AEI raised themselves for the final ten minutes and stand-in fly-half Mark McDonough grabbed a try at the death.