U14s in 8 try thriller

It was with some trepidation that G's U14s took to the field against Tonbridge Judds B team on Sunday. It is fair to say that inconsistency has been our hallmark this season and so we were not sure what to expect on what was an excellent day for rugby despite some heavy conditions underfoot.

Straight from the off Gs were on the front foot with in particular the forwards first to the rucks and mauls and winning a good supply of possession for the backs. Despite this good tackling by the Judds and a far too many mistakes meant a steady stream of scrums. The forwards continued to be dominant and secured yet more possession.

It was no surprise then that the forwards opened the scoring when Levon picked up the ball at a base of a ruck and headed down the blind side to score out wide. Conversion drifted narrowly wide of the posts. (Score 5-0).

Almost straight from the kick-off Gs were further in front when Chris B, who was at his barnstorming best, barged through the centre and galloped clear of the defence to score under the post. This time George B made no mistake and slotted the conversions (12-0)

A third try followed when George Br showed how you can turn defence into attack. As the ball was thrown loose top the fly-half a shuddering tackle caused him to throw the ball out and it was duly intercepted by the dangerous Josh W-F who scampered home under the posts. The conversion was sliced slightly and slipped past the post. (17-0).

Not sure if it was overconfidence on the coach's part or the boys thinking the game was already won but G's mad a number of changes which upset the rhytm of the game. That and a couple of Judds subs who added some strong running to their already impressive hands and the tide started to swing.

Judds finally got on the score sheet when running in from some way out. Conversion was missed just wide of the posts(17-5).

Gs were shaken into action and scored what was probably the nbest score of the day when Josh W-F and Rowan F combined superbly to pass the ballamongst themselves from behind there own 10 meter line until Josh scampered clear and scored under the posts. Coversion scored and it looked like Gs would go in 24-5 up.

Judds had other ideas and scored a good try which following some ill discipline by Gs saw Judds awarded a penalty 20 metres out and while the Gs pack were facing the wrong way picked up and burst through to score under the posts. Conversion duly slotted (HT 24-12)

The second half saw Judds score two more unanswered tries. The first started with a 22 drop out (dubiously taken 5m behind the line), but then good strong running and a hint of obstruction saw them go under the posts. Conversions scored (24-17).

Judds though were now starting to get the upper hand in the contact areas and so it was no surprise when they went over again. Some uncharacteristic tackling saw Judds run through and level the scores.

G's rang the changes and reverted to the starting 15 in a bid to stem the tide. Matters could have been worse had Callum M not made a fantastic tap tackle when it looked like Judds had out sprinted the defence.

Slowly though Gs started to get back into it and finished the stronger. Levon B looked to have won it but was denied when the referee did not see the grounding of the ball and so adjudged it as held up. From the resulting scrum Judds managed to clear their lines.

Then in the final few minutes Gs won a penalty and opted to run the ball when a kick would, as it turned out, have won them the game. They were held up just short of the line and the last two minutes were played out with Gs camped in the Judds hall.

At the final whistle the tense finish saw both sides slightly disappointed but all the boys should have been really proud to have played their part in what was and excellent advert for the game of rugby. Well done to Judds who showed a great ethos and team spirit and contributed to a great spectacle.

Having had a the kick up the