Kingsbridge Under 14’s Match Report, Sunday 23rd October 2011
Kingsbridge U14’s 69 – Exeter Saracens U14’s 5
With a strong breeze on a sunny morning it was clear King’s first encounter at 15 a-side with Exeter Saracens needed to be a game of tight ball control.
The first ten minutes saw no team dominate and the game flowed from one end to the other, several errors leadings to scrums, which Kings immediately dominated. Each team put in some strong defensive work, rucks were keenly contested and this seemed to be the wake up call Kings needed. When they found themselves 10 metres out a clear draw and pass from Beattie off a ruck allowed Banfield to smash through and open the scoring. Following the re-start Kings through a fine kick with the wind found themselves winning the ball in the subsequent line out, Marvin’s quick reaction saw him crash through their line to make it 10 nil. Saracens however regrouped and attacked which they continued to do for the rest of the game, they did not lie down and every time Kings made an error they had to work hard to get the ball back. On this occasion they scored but they threatened to do so on more than one occasion. Kings responded well and a scrum 10 metres out allowed Baker to pick from 8 and power through the open side to score. The next restart and scrum allowed Beattie to do the same from 15 metres out. Beattie and Dorey at 9 and 10 again dictated the play and read the game and the conditions well.
Half time saw Kings able to make 6 substitutions, a first this season and started attacking into the wind. They exploited every situation to their advantage and kept the passing tight and simple. When they did anything else the errors came but when they went wide the tries came quickly from Raywoth, West and Jack Foale, who all made explosive runs from over half way. To Saracens’ credit they chased everything down and stopped others from doing the same, they continued to fight. King’s ability to up the tempo and use their speed wide was a continuous threat and they only lost ball when players allowed themselves to become isolated. There were several fine attacking running down the wing by Ollie Sutton and Cal both powerful and strong. Cal was able to score once but denied another when held up. Kings again were intelligent and made the right chooses in the right places and in an almost mirror try from the first half Wotton this time picked up from 8 and crashed through from 5 metres out.
If Kings can continue to build on this type of game and on occasions straighten their lines and pass earlier they will pose a threat to anyone. It was simple rugby that won the day. Man of the Match goes to Ollie Beattie who gave his best performance to date in the 9 shirt.
Swash and West converted 6 of the tries in difficult conditions. Many thanks to Harrie and Fred for coming along to support. We look forward to their return next week when the Under 14’s host the touring team from Wolverhampton Grammar School on Saturday, Kick off at 11am. The match will be ahead of the busy home fixtures for the seniors this weekend.
Squad:
Banfield, Baker, Beattie, Burgess, Dorey, Dryburgh, Foale J, Foale W, Lee, Jones G, Jones M (Capt.), Mearns, Pearsall, Perez-Garcia, Rayworth, Sutton, Swash , Taylor,Triggol, Tunley, Wotton, Warner, West.
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