OPs lose at Harpenden

The OPs started their L1N campaign away at Harpenden, travelling with a stretched squad which was exacerbated by an admittedly very poor performance against an organised home side.

The OPs had plenty of the ball for the first ten minutes but, despite some good moments, didn't really look overly threatening. Harpenden were organised and patient, using their ten to kick long for much of the first half to try to enable their forward pack to apply some pressure. When Conor Dolan went off injured for a cut over his eye, Harpenden struck immediately by slicing through a rearranged backline for a well executed try. Whilst he was off they followed this up soon after with a second try. Frankly, it was already looking like a long way back with the OPs flat and quiet. HT 14-0.

The OPs were disappointed with their approach in the first half, largely playing into the hands of the home side. However it wasn't to be a game of two halves. Harpenden added their third try when winger Barney Wellings injured his knee and dropped the ball, from which the opposition took full advantage and raced from their own half to try. Another reshuffle caused issues with the OPs missing far too many tackles. There was a bit of a fight back, with some decent moments of attack. A couple of half chances were missed when players took contact instead of moving the ball, but eventually the OPs were on the scoreboard with Ben Ridley crossing in the corner.

The home side were well organised and executed well in the face of a disappointing OP performance. There will be tougher tests ahead for the L1N new boys but they are off to a flying start.

Squad: Djedje, Ridley, Howe; Ahukanna, Wells; Bedlington, Batt, Wellings J; Tsang, McBride; Dolan, Booth; Goualin, Wellings B, East. Subs: Moore J, Gomez-Rose L, Stringer.

Damo Langley Award: Ben Ridley
Joe Codrington Award: Conor Dolan

1st XV Squad injury/availability update:
Tim Boorman played for the 2s today, his first game since March 2018. Rufus Polak also returned from concussion for the 2s today.
Sean McAteer, Damien O'Dwyer, Fred Tucker and Ellis Ozols may be back in contention for next weekend.
Jack Dever, Michael Ledger, Alex Ozegovic, Ross McIntosh, David Wilkie, Morgan Lumby, George Majstorovic, Eloi Durand and Will Clarke are yet to have return dates but hope to be fit and available to play within the next few weeks.
Simon March is unfortunately out for the season and is due to have knee surgery soon. We look forward to welcoming the scrum half back for next season.