OLD ALBANIANS seconds recorded a routine 32-7 win over Fullerians seconds despite having some familiar faces missing from their line-up.

Perhaps recalling the 60-point winning margin in the corresponding fixture last season, OA's never quite hit top gear in an error-strewn match.

A front row of Warner, Rowe and McKew provided the OA's with a solid scrum from where the backs could play but the line-out was a different story, where Fullerians were able to steal possession and the alternative plan of throwing long to the back was equally unsuccessful.

However, the gulf in quality was telling and OA's had little trouble breaking the gain line once they had won possession.

Their trade-mark quick rucking game began to function and the backs were able to go over regularly to score the points. The two Owens, Dwyer and Neal, were particularly dangerous while the half back pairing of Waugh and Reece were again effective.

Fullerians enjoyed their best period once their hooker had been sin-binned, one of three Fullerians players to be yellow carded, and scrums were thereafter uncontested - much to the distaste of the OAs.

But the result was never in doubt and despite the frustrations of certain aspects of their the OA's play, the team confirmed their potential for entertaining and penetrating rugby.

October 19, 2001 12:30