A good cup win over Ollerton 1st

Bingham entertained Ollerton 1st from Midlands 5 North in the NLD vase cup on a wet miserable afternoon looking to banish the memories of the previous week. Bingham with the wind started well and an early break by Tom John from a line out on half way saw him clean through and with only the full back to beat put the pass forward to Andy Birznieks with the try begging. Ollerton came back with pressure on the Bingham line and took the lead with a drop goal from the 22. On 15 minutes after a period of Bingham possession, a penalty into the corner gave Bingham a line out 10 m out and from a clean take, Bingham drove forward and Pete Mount made no mistake with the Bingham pack on his back. Missed conversion 5 – 3. Dan Bartram replaced by Keith Lowthian due to injury. Ollerton come straight back and declined a cast iron 3 pt penalty running but dropping the ball 5m out. Tom John made another break passing to Andrew Gill making great yards and just could not get the pass away. From the Ollerton clearance, Jonathan Thomas collected the high ball, committed the defence, off loaded to Chris Garrod who cut inside and was clean through under the posts. Converted by Anthony Thomas 12 – 3. Half time came with the Bingham line still intact after more Ollerton pressure.

A poor Ollerton scrum on half way saw the ball shoot out and picked up by the blind side winger who came back inside and weaved his way through the Bingham line and was caught only 5m out. A penalty then conceded 30m out but missed. Jim Cooper replaced Jason Churchill. A clean line out and drive forward from Pete Mount allowed the backs to bring Lee Fretwell in from the wing and from recycled ball Andy Birznieks had enough gas to run round his man and offload to Chris Spibey, again helping the team playing out of position on the wing in place of his injured brother Tom who juggled the ball and just managed to hold on to score. 17 – 3 and looking safer. Jonathan Thomas off with Hamstring still niggling replaced by dad Huw & Pete Mount replaced by Gareth McGahan. A scrum against the head gave the backs quick possession but Andy Birznieks could not hold onto the ball. With 5mins to go, Anthony Thomas had to leave the pitch with a calf pull and with all allowed replacements used finished the game with 14 men. From a line out win on half way, Huw Thomas chipped forward, kicked on by Andy Birznieks and with Chris Garrod about to collect the ball, a wicked bounce and he overran only for Lee Fretwell to pick up and fall over the line for the easiest score. Converted by Huw Thomas and a final score 24 – 3. An impressive performance and win over league opposition with a number of players again out of position.