Gs U14s Edge Victory Over Maidstone

This week, we were missing the Harrys. Mr Gagg with a bad back, sustained picking up his Dad's wallet on the way to Twickenham on Saturday and Mr Burnett with a continuing bout of "Man Flu". We welcomed back Espen, after his broken arm pre-season. Zac and Josh C were back from their respective holidays and Ben C was back to near full fitness after his knee injury a few weeks ago. No other absentees meant we were able to field a pretty full squad this week.

The first 7 minutes were pretty neutral, with both teams enjoying brief forays into their opponents halves. The Stones secured two penalties in quick succession from the 8th minute, securing valuable meters, kicking the second penalty into touch 5 meters from the Gs try line. Stones won their lineout, but were tackled back into touch about 5m out. Gs lost the lineout ball and Espen marked his return by making a great tackle on his opposite number. However, Stones emerged from the ruck with the ball and threw it across their backs, before scoring and converting wide right, taking the lead after 10 tough minutes 0-7. Gs responded well to this early setback and began to apply pressure, advancing steadily towards the Stones line over the next 8-9 minutes, before securing a penalty for a high Stones tackle 10 out from the Stones line. Ned took the tap, passed to Zac, who made most of the remaining yardage, but was unable to break through the Stones defensive line. He managed to offload to Tye, who sneaked it over, bringing Gs within 2 points at 5-7(Tye missed the conversion) after 20 mins. Soon after the restart, Gs went further behind once more, after the Stones scored another try from reasonably close range after finding a gap in our defensive line. With the subsequent conversion missed, the Stones took a 5-12 lead into halftime.

We needed a response in the second half......and we got it! 2 minutes in to the 2nd half, Ben M scored, after Gs were awarded a penalty for a dangerous tackle. Pushing Stones back towards their line again, Zac was again unable to find a gap in the Stones defence, being tackled 10m out. Ben M, picked up the ball from the back of the ruck and found a gap to score. Tye converted and we were back on level terms at 12-12! The next 20 minutes was pretty neutral and the game headed steadily towards a drawn scoreline. However, Gs dug deep and managed to get their noses ahead in the 52nd minute. Stones had got a lineout, 15m from their line, but the ball was judged "not straight" by the ref and Gs were awarded a scrum. Nathan picked up the ball from the back of the scrum and made precious yards towards the Stones line, before being tackled short. Gs rucked the ball back, with Ned picking a pass to Zac, who again was tackled just shy of the Stones line. However, Zac managed to offload the ball beautifully to Ben C who had run support and Ben touched the ball down, putting Gs ahead 17-12. Zac missed the conversion, leaving Gs with a narrow 5 point lead and about 5 minutes left to play. Gs continued to apply pressure in the Stones half, with the ball only making very brief appearances in our own half. Some lovely runs by Josh S, Jo B and Zac again, all came up short of the Stones line. With the Stones electing to kick the ball back at us, Gs were able to see the game through, running it right back at them.

Well done lads. Great to see a fight back from twice being behind. Connor was again outstanding and perhaps only avoided the man of the match award because nobody fancied being close to the chunder monkey with fizzy drink and pickled eggs as his forfeit. Zac managed to avoid DoD award for his two uncharacteristic knock ons, following his game winning offload in the tackle to Ben C. Another tough game awaits us next week, Home to Old Colfeians. Thanks to Andy and Josh for refereeing today. Thanks also go to Sindy, Lynne Stevens and Nicki(Scott's Mum) for washing our new kit in the last 3 weeks....next weeks lucky washing Rota winner is.........................Nicola (Jo B's Mum). Thanks to Richard Mayhew for agreeing to do next week's match report in my absence. Finally thanks again to the Richards (Messrs Stevens and Gagg, aka Red Street Garage and Harlex) for their sponsorship of our new kit. Come On You Gs!