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Back in the 80’s Oakdale had their very own high scoring DJ who was not only known for playing some banging tunes but also for boshing some unsuspecting defenders out of his way. On yesterday’s performance the Dale might have found their new ‘Nelly Matthews’ in the shape of returning prop forward, Graham ‘Hector’ Heath as he moved to joint top of the try league table with a brace of tries, contributing to an effective and entertaining Oakdale display to make it three wins out of three in the league with a 34-13 victory up in the People’s Republic of Hilltop against RTB Ebbw Vale.

The Dale were soon into their stride and it was on five minutes that they got their first scoring chance. From a VERY POOR clearance from Simon Veall the ball found itself in the arms of an RTB winger who only had eyes for the line. What he didn’t see though was two Dale backs giving chase to Veall’s VERY POOR clearance. Once he was clattered, the ball spilt from his hands and was well picked up by the Dale. Centres Ged and Groupon did well to make quite a few yards up field and then the ball was spun out wide to the opposite wing where Cameron Barron made some good yards and beat a few defenders but was bundled into touch a yard from the line.

Ten minutes were on the clock when everyone who was at the game saw a phase of play that will stay with them for a very long time. I couldn’t remember how far out it was but he told me later in the club that it was about 50 yards. With the Dale in possession and making good steady progress up the field the ball got into ‘The Big Man’s’ hands. Everyone expected him to go looking for someone to run into but he looked outside him and saw the fast men were there ready to take the ball on. Motioning to pass to one of his prettier team-mates he sold the perfect dummy and waltzed through a gap in the home side’s defence. With a clear view to the line he only had one thought and that was to pin his ears back and go for it. Everyone could see the task ahead of him but nobody thought he could do it. Women ran up the side of the touchline pushing prams and shouting his name, the football players on the next pitch stopped and watched in amazement and the RTB players jumped one-by-one onto the big man’s back to try and bring him down. But no-one was going to stop him as he crashed over the whitewash to record Oakdale’s first points of the game. Take a Bow Scott Evans, take a bow. Veall struck the conversion over and Oakdale went into a 7-0 lead.

RTB got themselves on the scoreboard on seventeen minutes with a three point penalty. It all seemed a bit harsh when we pushed them off their own ball in the scrum but Dai Fortune was penalised for not binding.

Oakdale though extended their lead back to seven two minutes later when Teapot, making his first appearance of the season, was impeded after he chipped through in the RTB 22. Veall made no mistake and took the Dale into a 10-3 lead.

The free flowing Oakdale play just kept on coming and another score was always highly likely with every phase of possession. When they lost their own line-out they knew that they had to front up and showed good aggression in defence to steal the ball back. Powerhouse Juggernaut, Ryan Jarman did well to release those outside of his and he fed Captain Hot Lips who put Fortune into a gap. Dai was able to run a good 40 metres before feeding Veall who knew he didn’t have the speed to get to the line himself so fed Groupon. Unfortunately for the rest of his team mates he showed as much composure as a 12 year old in a One Direction concert and fumbled the ball forward.

On 26 minutes Oakdale were penalised in midfield when defending a ruck. RTB took the penalty option and were successful, reducing the gap on their visitors to 10-6.

With half an hour on the clock winger Ashley Davies made good yards and beat a few men but RTB were then penalised at the breakdown. Oakdale wanted more tries and more points so kicked to the corner. The lineout was proving to be a real strength for the dale and Captain Hot Lips gathered and was brought back down to the ground. His forward team mates gathered around him and off they trundled in search of the line. When the time was right Graham ‘Hector’ Heath burst from the back and was able to dive over the line for the dale’s second try of the game. Veall converted an excellent conversion from close to the touchline and this extended Oakdale’s lead to 17-6.

Four Minutes later RTB got another chance to close the gap on the visitors when teapot was penalised. The ball was quite a distance out but it was a small pitch. This didn’t matter as the ball went wide and the score remained the same.

One minute into injury time and RTB were in possession in the Oakdale half. Things seemed to be managed very nicely and it didn’t look like anything was going to materialise in RTB’s favour before the Ref blew his whistle for half time. But fair play to them, they kept their cool and when the time was right their number 8 had the strength and the speed to crash over for a converted try to make the scoreboard not reflect the balance of first half play but still it read that Oakdale were in the lead (just)

HALF TIME – RTB EBBW VALE 13 V 17 OAKDALE RFC

Three minutes into the second half Oakdale showed something we had been seeking for a very long time – patience. With the ball in their possession they sent the big men straight at the RTB defence. Jarman, Roly and the season veteran, Chris Wall all made good yards. Scrum half, Josh Thomas was everywhere and leading the Oakdale attack well. He darted from five yards out but was held up just short and before he could present the ball ready for another Oakdale attack that man Hector Heath snatched the ball out of his hands, stayed low and dived over the RTB line for his second, and Oakdale’s third try of the game. Veall missed the conversion but Oakdale went further ahead at 22-13.

Last week the Dale had 34 minutes to score the fourth try to get them a bonus point but failed against a spirited Cwmbran side. This week they had 37 minutes and with some much dominance in the game it looked like a near certainty. Although RTB had other ideas and certainly made it difficult for the Dale to get the bonus point touchdown. The home side missed another penalty on 48 minutes but possession was theirs for a large part of the rest of the game. Sometimes it felt like it was an exercise in defending as that is what Oakdale had to do, but they did and it never seemed like the home side would get another point. Barber provided this week’s dose of light relief as he was yellow carded 47 seconds after coming on as a sub, much to the amusement of the Oakdale supporters.

The clock was ticking down and everyone was wondering if they Dale were going to get that elusive fourth try. It was all pressure, pressure and more pressure from RTB but the defence was resolute from every Oakdale player. When the home side could find no way through the forwards they decided to fling it out to their backs. Trying to buy some space for his team mates, their number tem thought he would sling a long pass out but what he didn’t see was Simon Veall steaming towards him and right into the direction of the ball’s trajectory. Veall intercepted about in the same place as where Roly took his ball for his try. He had a long way to go but fair play to him he had the legs to stay ahead of the back peddling defenders to score that much needed fourth try to put everyone at ease knowing that the five points were in the bag. What he didn’t have though was the ability to convert his own try and the score stood at 27-13 with three minutes left on the clock.

Most people would have settled for that score line but not the Oakdale players. Again, RTB came back at the Oakdale defence and nearly got themselves their second try of the day and if it had not been for Roly making an excellent last ditch tackle to rip the ball from one of their players then they would have achieved that goal.

Deep into injury time Oakdale made it difficult for themselves when they managed to win possession three times but slice the ball into touch making about 4 feet from all three kicks. It was RTB’s last chance, a lineout on the Oakdale 22. The ball was thrown in but such was the dominance of the Oakdale forwards that they snatched possession once more. Having a fine game, Cerrig Wilson burst through the defence and made a good 30 yards. When he was faced by the last defender he saw Dai Fortune outside of him and duly passed him the ball. Dai actually stretched his legs for the first time in the game but he is getting old now and his eyesight is not what it used to be. Unfortunately for him, what he thought was the try line was actually the five metre line and thinking he was going to score he dived for the line. When everyone shouted to him that he actually got it wrong he quickly threw the ball to the nearest Oakdale player. Luckily, it was that man Wilson again in good support. He only had five metres to go and successfully ate up the distance to score Oakdale’s fifth try of the day. Veall added a good conversion and the ref blew up straight after that for a very pleasing afternoon up at the People’s Republic.

FULL TIME SCORE – RTB EBBW VALE RFC 13 V 34 OAKDALE RFC

Last season we had only won one of our first three games so it is pleasing to know that we have a 100% record this season with a good side, a strong bench and others that are not making the weekend squad. Morale is high, the boys are together and already dreams and high aspirations are being talked about back in the club. An air of positivity is certainly evident, let’s just hope every month until next April is as successful as September 2014.

Cost of entry to the game – NOTHING!! No gatemen, no-one coming around with a bucket, a hat or a pot noodle cup. Obviously, they don’t need the money and we’ll take that any day of the week

Quality of Matchday Programme – NOTHING!!! I looked, I asked and I searched but no match programme was available. Obviously, they don’t need the money and I won’t take that any day of the week - scandalous

Quality of Aftermatch Meal – Baked Potato, Beans and Bread. Eye brows were raised when we found out what was on offer. It’s not your usual Saturday afternoon fare but once it was on the plate no-one complained and fair play it was one lady who did it all. They certainly like their cheap brown and red sauce up there though; I’ve still got no feeling on my tongue,