Patience is a virtue for Purley John Fisher (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Patience is a virtue

9:17am Tuesday 5th March 2013 in Sport

Purley John Fisher beat Old Wellingtonians 20-8 on Saturday by using a new aspect to their play, patience.

Despite a lively start from their hosts and the over exuberance of the official at the breakdown, PJF worked hard, stayed focused and ground out this victory that retains their standing at third place in London 3SW. Old Wellies had had a recent run of good form and looked worthy as they set about PJF. Through penalties they secured territorial advantage and kicked three points to reward their efforts.

PJF took their time to come to terms with the manner in which the game was controlled but once they did they definitely took control and did not seem like losing at all. The PJF solid front five began to dominate the tight first phase possession, the breakaway trio took the ball to OWs and secured title to the ball with aggressive mauling and quick actions at the ruck stages.

Second row Steve Brown and no 8 Tom Leather dominated the line out securing their own ball and seriously challenging against the head, leaving OWs with scant quality ball and on the back foot. From one such line out they took and drove the ball from 15 metres out towards the try line. The good momentum, shape and control on the drive allowed flanker Phil Jones to peel off the back and scored the first of his brace of tries.

Having broken the ice, PJF continued attacking through hard yards made by Munch, Inglis and Jones where they set up good field positions. Just before half time fly half Tom O'Toole rewarded his side's good work with a penalty to take them into the break 3-8 ahead.  So ended a frustrating half with PJF in control, winning good possession and territorial advantage only to be thwarted by penalties conceded at the breakdown.

Soon after the restart PJF worked their way into their opponents 22 and flanker Greg Spencer was unlucky to have a try disallowed for being held up over the line. From the ensuing 5 metre scrum PJF cranked up the power putting OWs under such pressure that they collapsed the scrum and were penalised by the official who awarded PJF a penalty try. O'Toole converted.

Grasping the advantage PJF pegged OWs in their 22 for 15 minutes or so. PJFs third try was Groundhog day as another line out take and drive with Jones scoring took the score to 3-20.

OWs were unable to get out of their half to set up any decent base and so had to attack from a long way out. On the whole PJF defended this well but unfortunately switched off for a minute which had OWs back three attack the length of the pitch and score a consolation try.

PJF sensed a 5 point win and pushed hard for the fourth try, wingers Tom Price and Chase Thompson were unlucky not to score as they both came close in the dying minutes of the match.

So to next week, home against Old Blues.