IT was a busy weekend for Old Albanian, while the 1sts were beaten away at Tynedale their 2nds, 3rds, 4ths and 5ths were also in action, here’s a round-up of how they all got on.

OAs 2nds 44 North Walsham 18

A huge performance from the OA’s pack gave a solid foundation for this powerful display against keen but out-gunned opponents.

Two early tries set the pattern and prop Ed John in particular was especially pleased with his own rampaging effort.

The lineout was ruled all afternoon by the imperious Simon Lye and loose ball was clinically hoovered up by a devastating back row.

A rolling maul late in the game charged twenty five metres, almost to the Walsham line and the try followed from the ensuing scrum.

The backs were expertly marshalled by Lawrence Rayner and players with the class of Jimmy Spiers took full advantage.

Skipper Nick Stevens was delighted with the result and expects even more in coming weeks when set moves and systems are fully bedded in.

A debt of gratitude is owed to Nick Tubby who managed the side in his usual quiet, unassuming manner.

OAs 3rd 19 Old Haberdashers 35

This game could have been so disappointing but ended on a very positive note for OAs 3rds.

The first half was full of Albanian attacks, none of which were quite finished off.

Habs dealt manfully with everything thrown at them, gradually built their own momentum and steadily amassed 30 points before the break.

The team made a statement of intent at half-time and opened the second period with a concerted attack deep in OH territory.

The visitors coped in exactly the same way, forced the overturn, worked upfield and scored again.

Finally Albanian pressure told and the last half hour produced three tries for the hosts, two by Angad moving from lock to flanker.

Rucking and tackling finally matched that of the visitors and this finally made the difference.

Johnny Mills was a lively influence behind the pack and Forrest and Murty the pick of the forwards.

OAs 4ths 10 Hatfield 13

For OAs 4ths it was a similar story to the 3rd team match, but not quite so extreme in that Hatfield had much of the early pressure but their options were limited by sound Albanian defence.

Their reward was 10 points and their advantage halved by the hosts neatly taken effort just before the interval.

A more purposeful assault on Hatfield territory evened the score at the start of the second period.

The rest of the half was shared almost equally, the visitors successful with a solitary penalty late on.

Though never happy in defeat skipper Neil McLeod pronounced himself not too distressed with this opening encounter.

Chesham 20 OAs 5ths 3

This was a trial game split into four quarters and honours were even until Chesham introduced four first team players in the second quarter.

Four tries ensued for the hosts as they put the game beyond OA’s reach.

Chris Butterworth finally put points on the board for the visitors with his fourth attempt at a penalty.

OA’s Nathan Thomas was outstanding throughout but man of the match was Andy O’Brien, a forward turned fullback, who had a game to relish.