Gs U14s turn the heat on Blackheath

The U14s had a tough start to this season, with our opposition being Blackheath, who beat us convincingly last season. A few notable absentees & injuries were compensated for by fine debuts for Ben D and Scott. The year on year improvement in our pack, was immediately evident. Last season's game against Blackheath yielded around 25 scrums, with the Gs winning only one. Blackheath kicked off in the 1st period, and the Gs failure to "put a name on the ball", led to a Blackheath scrum inside our 22. Memories of last year quickly faded with Gs winning the scrum against the head and clearing our lines. Failure to support the Isolated Zac led to Blackheath coming back at us once more. The 1st 20 mins continued with Blackheath enjoying much posession in our half, but failing to get the ball through a resilient defence. In the last minute of the 1st period, over-exuberance in the tackle, led to a Blackheath penalty in front of the posts and within our 22m line. Blackheath kicked the penalty and took a 3 point advantage into the 2nd period.

The second period saw both teams making a number of changes and soon after Zac broke through the Blackheath defensive line with a signature strong run from inside his own half and scored under the posts 5-3. Tye converted and the Gs took a 4 point lead at 7-3. After the restart, Blackheath were caught offside and a quick penalty saw Zac making another run and try close to the posts 12-3. Tye converted and the score became more comfortable at 14-3. A quick turnaround at half time(since it fell in the middle of the second period) with Gs, and Zac in particular still in his stride, again running the ball home under the posts again. With the try converted again by Tye, the score was 21-3! Zac was given a well earned breather and the Gs continued to soak up pressure in their own 22, until Blackheath exploited a gap in our back line and scored from 5m out and subsequently converted, bring the score back to 21-10 at the end of the 2nd period.

The 3rd period again saw both teams making a number of changes and the stronger Blackheath line-up from the 1st period taking back to the field. However Zac again exploited a gap and ran through for his 4th try of the game. Tye converted and the score went to 28-10. Blackheath refused to lay down and repeatedly pinned us back in our 22. Eventually, their pressure led to another try, but with a missed conversion, the score narrowed by only 5 points to 28-15. Again, short incursions into the Blackheath half were thwarted and posessional and territorial advantage remained with a determined Blackheath, who eventually penetrated our back line from close range with another try, this time converted, bring the score to a slightly less comfortable 28-22. With little time left and some tiring legs in the rising heat, Gs re-established some territorial pressure and edged closer to the Blackheath line once more. The referee indicated time was up and Gs kicked the ball into touch, to bring the game to a close and a well-deserved victory for the Gs.

Much still to work on, but huge improvements in many aspects of our play, most notably in the scrum. Congratulations to Zac, who thoroughly deserved man of the match, not just for his 4 tries, but also his excellent tackling. Congratulations also go to Scott and Ben D for making very strong debuts.