Bednall pulls the strings for OAs victory
Barnes ……….24 O Albanians 33
TOM Bednall enjoyed a fine all-round day as he helped Old Albanians to a bonus-point success over Barnes in an entertaining encounter.
The fly-half slotted two conversions, two penalties and a drop goal for OAs who eventually killed off Barnes’ hopes in the final five minutes.
The visitors opened the scoring through a Bednall penalty on 14 minutes but Barnes hit back with the first try through flanker Johan van der Poel. OAs responded with a beautifully worked try finished off by George Bartlett after a lovely dummy.
They extended their lead with a second try, scored by winger Alex Chalcraft but the end of the half belonged to Barnes. First prop George Hunter, and then William Symonds went over as Barnes took a 19-15 lead into the break.
Old Albanians came out for the second half much like the way they started the first and made their pressure count as Peter Warne crossed to put them back in front followed by a Bednall drop goal.
The home side did manage to score in the corner as the game reached the hour mark, Joshua Davies going over for Barnes to make the score 25-24 to the visitors. But Old Albanians finally finished them off in the dying few minutes as Bednall added another conversion and Morgan Thompson crossed for a final try.
