Tunbridge Wells 17 Mad Dogs 15

It was great get all 30 U13s squad players available out for a double fixture away at Tunbridge Wells

Tunbridge Wells 17 Gravesend 15

Team one which consisted primarily of the developing / newer players put in a great display and contested much better than have done previously at breakdowns securing the ball and retaining possession. With more game time and a better understanding of each others strengths things can only get better still.

There was some really good defence which kept the team in the match and some positive running and tacking from all was not quite rewarded with points. Having gone three tries down a spirited comeback followed with Patrick Murray coming on to score two tries and Freddie Barrett one. The latter was sparked by a moment of quality from Ian Titmuss. Tunbridge Wells kicked into space and with 3 of their players looking certain to score Ian picked the ball up and evaded the 3 players long enough for support to arrive and then some great passing across to the other side of the pitch created to space for Freddie to make the line at the other end of the pitch. With everyone tackling arou nd the legs at least one Tunbridge Wells try would have been avoided and Gravesend would have probably won the game.

Tunbridge Wells 30 Gravesend 10

Against much bigger opposition, team two started brilliantly moving the ball around and making breaks to unsettle the home side and scored first after several phases to get Owen Webster over in the corner with a great finish and a quality team try. Tunbridge Wells then worked themselves back into the game and scored to equalised.

Early in the 2nd half all the good work of the first half was undone by allowing a Tunbridge Wells player to run 30 metres across the pitch with no one stepping up to stop him, and that triggered a period of 15 minutes where the team lost its collectiveness with players standing off tackles and waiting for someone else to do the hardwork. Having conceded a number of soft tries the boys then finished in style with another great team try this time finished off with a quality pass from Ben Stellfox to Sam Hiskett to score on the other wing and restore some pride.

A tough lesson to learn from one of the stronger teams in the county but some moments of quality are showing that with that little bit of additional desire and grit this team can turn over bigger and stronger opposition.