TAKING a break from their league programme, OAs visited local rivals Welwyn for the Richard Thomas Memorial trophy and cantered to a 36-0 win as the gulf in divisions proved too much.

Historically, Welwyn have been always been a tough match for the OA's but the Garden City team have made an awful start to the season, losing every single game so far.

OA centre Aaron Johnson pounced on a loose ball and from the resultant ruck, the ball was recycled for Pete Harries to score in the corner although Harries narrowly missed the conversion.

A series of attacks from OA's saw Harries held up short of the line and from the resulting free kick, Peter Kirk dived over to score near the posts with Harries converting to make the score 12-0.

OAs moved further ahead at the start of the second half after a gift of a score. From the kick-off, the Welwyn scrum-half mis-fielded the kick and from the ensuing scrum, OA's number eight, Steve Maishman, powered over to score with Harries converting.

Maishman barely had a chance to get his breath back before he was involved in the next scoring move.

Wellington kicked wide to the left and the covering Welwyn fullback collected the ball, evaded a couple of tackles but, under pressure, put in a woefully misdirected kick across the pitch straight into the arms of the waiting Maishman who released Sean Southwood to score.

With OAs now fully in control, they extended their advantage when a sharp break from Wellington was finished off by Harries in the corner.

OAs ran over once more before the full-time whistle, when Wellington raced 80 metres after intercepting a wayward Welwyn pass to wrap up the rout.

November 9, 2001 11:00