Gs U14s win a game of 2 halves

A beautifully sunny but cold Sunday morning greeted our arrival at Ashford rugby club. Another depleted squad this week left us with just 16 players, broadly the same as Ashford managed to field. Zac still missing with broken fingers, Jo B joining him with a broken nose and fractured shoulder, Harry G (knee), Jacob O (school trip), Stan B, Luke, and Sam A all unavailable.

We started the game in lively fashion and following a few early skirmishes, found ourselves 20m inside our own half with a penalty (I can't honestly remember what for). Ned took a quick tap and offloaded to Tye, who, to quote Gavin Chapman, "lit the afterburners", ran the full 70m, placing the ball down under the posts and securing an easy conversion for himself, once he had caught his breath. 4 minutes played and Gs were 0-7 up. Good work from Gs forwards set up our second try in the 11th minute, with Josh S picking the ball from the ruck on the Ashford 22m line and offloading to Tye, who scored wide right and subsequently converted, 0-14 Gs. Barely a minute had passed when more industry from our forwards, supporting ball carriers, led to our 3rd try. Ashford restart landed in the arms of Ned, who passed to Josh S. Josh made a run, but was unable to break through the defensive line. With forwards arriving in support, a maul was formed, advancing 15m and back into Ashford's half. The ball came out to Olli, who passed to Nathan. Nathan made a run, but was tackled by a now prepared Ashford defence. At the resulting ruck, Ben M collected the ball and darted through a gap to place the ball down next to the posts. Tye converted, 0-21 less than 14 minutes played. Although we largely dominated ball possession and territorial advantage for the remainder of the half, we failed to add to the score, although came very close with Nathan, who was judged to have dropped the ball over the line.

We started the second half well, with more dominant forwards working hard to secure more ball and were rewarded for their industry 5 minutes in. Following the restart, Gs pushed forward with two great runs by Connor and one by Scott, penning Ahford back inside their 10m. Ashford secured a penalty and opted to kick for touch, with the ball exiting at the 25m mark. Ashford's lineout ball was won by the small but mighty Josh C, who made a surge, supported by other forwards in a maul. The ball emerged from the maul into the running hands of Josh S, who made it over the line under the posts. Converted by Tye, 0-28 6 minutes into the half. I am really not sure what happened next, but things changed, quite dramatically! Tired legs? Too many changes of rolling subs? Bad decision making? White line fever? Whatever it was, we paid the price. Continuing with possession and territorial dominance, we were unable to secure any more points. Ashford scored 3 converted tries during the remaining 25 minutes of play, all from within their own half. In the end, Gs early lead was enough to secure the win. Fine performances again from Connor, Scott and the Joshes. Ben C was strong and deserved a try for his good work. All the forwards were also worthy of mention. Boys, a great start, but a lacklustre finish, we have to remain disciplined to the end of games.