Mad Dogs Don't Have Their Day

Pool Matches

Maidstone W 1-0
Bromley L 0-1
Aylesford A L 1-2

Shield Final

Tunbridge Wells L 0-1

After an extra hour in bed the Under 12s (aka The Mad Dogs) made the short trip down into Kent for their final Aylesford mini rugby festival before they ascend to the 15-a-side game next season.

The annual Aylesford festival, usually held in the Spring as opposed to the Autumn, has never been the happiest of hunting grounds for the Mad Dogs and as frustratingly ever, the 2014/15 season sought to tell the same old story.

Drawn in a competitive Pool alongside Maidstone, Bromley and Aylesford A, Gravesend never really looked in trouble in their opener against the 'Stones. However, despite some delightful ball handling through the back line, a lack of running from real depth meant that the Mad Dogs struggled to turn possession into points. Nonetheless, another show of fast and strong running saw outside center Ben Hope drive through at least two tackle attempts and put the Mad Dogs 1-0 ahead at half time.

The second half saw the ball remain largely in the Maidstone half. Gravesend twice looked close to scoring tries via mauls set up from the strong ball carrying of Thanusian Vithaykaran but with no one clearing up and helping to make the ball available for another Mad Dog to exploit the space created, these were wasted chances. Nonetheless, the 1-0 result at full time was both deserved and a good start to the tournament.

Next up were Bromley. Again the Mad Dogs looked comfortable and more than able to take command of the fixture but it was still difficult to see where the tries were going to come from. Messy clearing out work at the breakdown was leading to a frequent lack of ball not being cleanly available for scrum half Ben Stelfox to recycle quickly to his backs and on more than one occasion easy turnover ball for Bromley. Nonetheless, particularly standing out in this tight, physical encounter were new Mad Dogs Alfie Howden and Sam Hiskett both of whom showing skill, technique and game sense more akin to boys who had been playing rugby for six years as opposed to six weeks!! This writer certainly hopes that Sam enjoyed the feeling of the immense 'hit' he made during this game and looks forward to seeing more like this from him in the future.

This match was always going to be decided by a memorable moment. Unfortunately for the under 12s, it was a moment that they will quickly want to forget. A conceded penalty by Gravesend less than 15 metres out from their tryline was always going to find the hands of Bromley's standout 'boy mountain' of a forward. Mad Dogs' forwards lined up ready for this player failed to take him down by his legs and he proceeded to drag them along as they clinged to his chest to make 12 metres. A further phase saw the 'Boy Mountain' taken out properly by the mighty Mad Dog Atom that is Adam Oake - one of the smallest but hardest tackling U12 players - although sadly his efforts came too late to prevent Bromley from scoring and ultimately winning the game 1-0.

Final opponents in the pool were the very strong Aylesford A team. Although by no means being pushed over, Gravesend struggled to match Aylesford's physicality and communication to produce consistent fluid rugby. Subsequently, Aylesford changed ends 1-0 ahead.

Some assertive words from head coach Nevil Hope at half time had the desired effect on the Mad Dogs at the start of the second half. Looking like a completely different team and playing with the passion and commitment that all GRFC supporters expect from their teams, the U12s had the Bulls defending their line desperately. A 5 metre scrum led to an Aylesford player attempting to kick up field. Quick to react was Gravesend No.8 Owen Hinks who, using his ever-developing rugby brain, charged down the Aylesford kick, caught the ball and took it over the line to score. 1-1. The preceding minutes of fast, organised, flowing rugby had shown the Mad Dogs at their very best and if that is what they're capable of, there are certainly some great days ahead.

However, Aylesford are already consistent at producing, if not as attractive, effective, quality rugby and immediately from the restart they looked like a team pleased to have the ball back in hand and meaning business in terms of doing some thing with it. Shortly after Gravesend's equalizer, Aylesford took the lead again; A lead that they kept until the final whistle. Final Score 2-1.

Therefore, another Shield play-off beckoned; this time against Tunbridge Wells. Aside from that glorious period of play at the start of the second half of the Aylesford match it was a similar performance to what the Mad Dogs had been putting on all morning. Gravesend rarely looked troubled and enjoyed much possession but sadly Tunbridge edged the contest 1-0.

No silverware this time for the Mad Dogs but before the boys left, Nev was clear with them that they could all hold their heads up high and be proud of the rugby they had played today. Some very small improvements, for which no doubt Nev will already be working on plans to address, will make a big difference to the outcomes enjoyed by the team.

This writer has always said that the Mad Dogs' best days will come at Youth rugby level and it is clear that everything is heading in the right direction to support this assessment. Go you Mad Dogs!

Squad: Thanusian Vithyarkaran, Alfie Howden, Henry Bowler, Billy Webster, Finlay Pavey, Cameron Cloggie, Patrick Murray, Vinnie Perrett, Owen Hinks, Owen Webster, Sam Hiskett, Harry Tasker, Ben Hope, Henry Martin, Charles Martin, Ben Stelfox, Freddie Barrett, Adam Oake