A MAN-of-the-match performance by Ben Wiles saw him kick a late match winning penalty to secure Old Laurentians a narrow 24-23 victory at home to Paviors in the Midlands 1 East.
It was far more of a one man show however with all 18 players involved playing their part to secure OLs second win of the 2015/16 season.
Paviors had first use of the strong wind and took an early lead with a penalty after 15 minutes and they followed that up with the first try of the match five minutes later to take an 8-0 lead.
The visitors kept up the pressure but met a determined and well organised OL’s defence with the home side working their way progressively into the game.
And they reduced the deficit with a fine try which was started by Paddy Reid who found Ben Wiles with the centre offloading beautifully to Jordan Bunn who sliced through to touch down under the posts. Wiles added the goal points for 7-8.
And soon after OLs registered another excellent try when Dom Hammond and Robin Corrigan combined in a set piece lineout ploy to send Glenn Todd through, with Wiles again converting for a 14-8 lead to the hosts at the break.
It was Paviors who drew first blood after the break when they kicked a penalty to reduce the deficit to 14-11.
But OLs hit back after eight minutes following a finely struck penalty by replacement Cleaver which led to OLs winning a line-out and following a drive to the line Parker seized the ball to dart over in the corner.
Wiles added the extras with a fine kick from near touch to extend the home side’s lead to ten points.
This signalled a strong Paviors fight back and another well-worked converted try hauled them right back into contention at 21-18.
And when a midfield break ended in a well taken try the visitors were in front with a two-point lead with almost 20 minutes to play.
With less than 15 minutes left on the clock Paviors conceded a penalty some 35 metres from their posts and Ben Wiles calmly kicked his side back into the lead at 24-23.
Over the remaining minutes, Paviors went looking for the winning score, but OLs succeeded in containing their opponents by pinning them down in their own half for the remainder of the match.
Next up is a formidable task when OLs visit league leaders Bedford Athletic this Saturday.
