Match report

10th October 2010

Ledbury 43 - Evesham 14

MATCH REPORT

10 October 2010

Ledbury U13s

LEDBURY U13s Further Success on First Away Trip of the Season Against Worthy Evesham Opponents.

Ledbury U13              36          Evesham        7

Ledbury U13 Dev       7          Evesham        7

With bright sun and a bracing wind to greet them, a travelling Ledbury squad of 27 were welcomed at the well appointed Evesham club for the first time and all enjoyed a good run out in two games against an Evesham squad of 18.

Match 1(RB)

Ledbury Team:

Kieran Smith, Ben Stevens, Sam Seaborn, Tommy Mapp, Ben Savidge, Toby Hiram, Rory Bateson (Pack Leader), George Hemingway, Charlie Samwells, Will Butler (Captain), Marcus Ballinger, Steve Howie, Hugh Smith, James Newey, Toby Cotton.

Try Scorers: Toby Hiram, Hugh Smith, Steve Howie, George Hemingway, Tommy Mapp, Charlie Samwells

Conversion: Marcus Ballinger (3)

Ledbury kicked off long and Evesham came driving out of their 22 with concerted pressure as they put on early pressure to test the mettle of the visitors. At the first breakdown Sam Seaborn wrested the ball and passed out to Marcus Ballinger who broke short on the blindside leading to the first scrum.  Ledbury won it with the ball going down the line through Toby Hiram and Hugh Smith to Steve Howie who had a probing run but was caught short by strong Evesham defence.

Evesham duly won ball and countered, venturing into the Ledbury half, but from the first Ledbury defensive scrum following a knock on, Toby Hiram was able to touch down for the first score after chasing through on the break. With no conversion Evesham restarted with a clean catch by Toby Hiram once more who immediately fed the backs. Will Butler saw an opportunity to kick into open ground and Marcus Ballinger followed up fast with a good tackle on the receiver. Ledbury regained the ball and with a pass out to Hugh Smith on the wing he showed a clean set of heels for a quick second score in the corner. Again with a blustery wind the drop goal conversion fell unfortunately short.

This time Rory Bateson gathered the drop out but with a sloppy one handed pass to Sam Seaborn gave possession away. Luckily from the loose play Ledbury regained With George Hemingway emerging from the ruck and releasing the backs with a clean feed to Steve Howie whose pace led to a score under the posts, this time easily converted by Marcus Ballinger.

Charlie Samwells caught the drop out well and instigated an immediate Ledbury drive through Hugh Smith. Evesham regained the ball but not for long as James Newey put in a great tackle and once more the ball was in Ledbury’s hands ultimately freeing George Hemingway to run solo from the half way line, brushing off all assailants, to add his name to the score sheet close to the posts. Once more Marcus Ballinger converted successfully.

Half time came and not too soon as it was a timely opportunity for George Hemingway to retire after his exertions following four days in his sick bed.  Tommy Kinsella came on as lock and Myles Burrett-Newland replaced Kieran Smith at hooker as Evesham restarted. Tommy Mapp caught and passed to Sam Seaborn who linked with Charlie Samwells but Will Butler’s ultimate short kick for territory led to a scrappy run of play as Evesham upped the anti in an attempt to get on the score sheet early in the half. Their over enthusiasm led to a penalty to Ledbury at the breakdown and Ledbury attacked down the pitch. From the scrum Rory Bateson broke from the backline only to be thwarted by a reset as the scrum swung and collapsed. Ledbury made another change with Ben Savidge making way for Dan Hamlin.

Toby Hiram charged down an Evesham defensive kick and eventually their line was breached from a forward drive by stalwarts Ben Stevens and Sam Seaborn, freeing Rory Bateson to break and dash for the line, drawing his man and smuggling to Tommy Mapp on his shoulder who crossed the line to score. No conversion this time.

From the restart Steve Howie was almost through but for a good Evesham tackle. From a scrum 5 yards from the Evesham line, Charlie Samwells tackled and James Newey launched a darting run to set up a strong Ledbury attacking position. From a forced a penalty Charlie Samwells opted for a very quick one, catching the defence on the hop and scythed through for a great solo score, this time well converted by Marcus Ballinger.

From the dying embers of the game, Evesham were looking for a final rally and it soon came from a wayward defensive kick by Ledbury which fell straight into the arms of the speedy Evesham fullback who ran rings round all in front of him, friend and foe alike, to score under the posts with perhaps the most impressive try of the day. They duly converted.

Within minutes the game was over, Evesham ultimately saving face in spite of Ledbury’s overpowering dominance. A great team result from an entertaining game!   

Match 2 (DW)

Try Scorer:

Sam Prestwich.

Con: Toby Hiram.

Team Sheet:

Ben Savidge, Myles Burrett-Newland, George Watson, Oliver Jones, Tommy Kinsella,  Kieran Smith, Dan Hamlin, Tommy Mapp (PL), Dan Smith, Henry Thomas, Sam Prestwich (C), Rhodri Whittaker, Harry Harris, Andrew Evans, Tristan Jones.

Replacements: Toby Hiram & Ben Stevens. 

Ledbury kicked off into the sun on a glorious autumn morning against a team already hardened by their opening encounter with Ledbury’s first team. Evesham took the ball comfortably and drove on up to the halfway line with little difficulty and it was obvious that Ledbury were in a real contest.

After some initial sparring between the packs the ball was worked by the Evesham pack to their right wing who looked destined to score only to be denied by an excellent cover tackle by Ledbury’s Andrew Evans who was having another fine game on the wing.

Ledbury out scrummaged the home team in the resulting set piece and cleared the line through a Sam Prestwich punt only to find Evesham’s fine full back who ran the ball back into the 22 where he was finally brought down. The ball failed to surface from the resulting ruck and Ledbury were awarded the put in at the scrum only to be driven off the ball.

Evesham caught Ledbury on the back foot and out of position and ultimately unable to defend a powerful run from Evesham’s powerful no 8. Evesham deservedly touched down for the games opening try which was duly converted for a point lead.

Ledbury responded well and pressed hard after the restart with George Watson providing stability in the scrums and mauls and Tommy Mapp making his presence felt at no 8 before giving Tristan Jones a chance to show his wil-o’-the wisp abilities on the wide outside.

Unfortunately the halftime whistle interrupted Ledbury’s improvement and Evesham came back strongly in the second half to put the visitors under sustained pressure even crossing the try line twice only to be denied by some determined and skilful Ledbury defending.

Ledbury, bolstered by their defensive display now started to play with more confidence. The backs were also restructured with Rhodri Whittaker moving to scrum half and Dan Smith moving to full back where both players were able to better display their abilities and, perhaps more tellingly, the influential Toby Hiram was now on the pitch playing at inside centre.

With greater cohesion between forwards and backs Ledbury were able to back up their powerful defending with an electrifying attack from within their own 22 moving the ball first to the right and then to the left through Tristan Jones who released Sam Prestwich to outflank and outpace the defence for a truly special try under the posts.

Toby Hiram added the conversion and the scores were level.

Evesham again came back hard from the restart but were unable to exert any real pressure with Ledbury’s pack now dominating in the set pieces and in the loose.

The match ended in a draw which was a fair reflection of a competitive and enthralling match in which both teams performed with great credit.