LEDBURY UNDER 12 XV TOUR CORNWALL. 6th April 2008

After several fundraising events, and kind sponsorship from Well House Garage in Dymock, and Tesco, a squad of 21 players, 4 coaches and many supporting parents set off on tour to the Hayle Mini Rugby Tournament.

In order to acclimatise to the “Cornish” style, we stopped on the way down to play Redruth. After a picnic and a training session, we started a match, playing on a full pitch, 15-a-side, both at the hosts request!  Once the game was underway, it was clear to see why! They had a very strong back line, and with the size advantage in the forwards aswell, were able to get good possession and run through and round Ledbury’s fragile defence.

Ledbury showed their usual grit and determination, and never gave up, and whilst they failed to get over the line, they made Redruth work hard for several phases before allowing scores. The end result must have been close to 50 points, but it was an ideal wake-up call before the tournament, and a reminder that no matter where you play, there are referees around who will make strange decisions!!.

After showers and match tea, we headed down to our accommodation, and the 8 berth caravans were soon filled. After a recky around the site, it was time for lights out, and a good nights sleep ready for the tournament.

An 8.00am breakfast of cereals, juice, yogurts, sausage and bacon sarnies was the ideal set up for a hard days Rugby. It’s a pity the cookers were on a go slow, but we got there in the end.

Conditions were dry, but a cold wind made it less than comfortable for the spectators. Game 1 was against the hosts, Hayle.

Ledbury started well, and found the opposition far less aggressive than Redruth, even though they were substantially bigger. Good forward work saw the ball released down the line for Joe Fowke to open the scoring, straightening the line well, and wrongfooting the defence.

It was not long after that Ledbury found themselves in a similar position. This time Rory Gunning dummied at fly half and burst through for score number two.

The third score came from good forwards pressure, and Rhys Jones, rolling off the maul and carrying several of the opposition managed to make enough ground and put Ledbury 3 tries up.

One of the problems of a large squad is getting the balance right, giving all members of the squad playing time, without disrupting continuity. The hosts did score a consolation try after numerous Ledbury substitutions, but this was a great start to the tournament for the team.

Game 2 was against Burnham-on-Sea.

This was a much more challenging opposition, and although Ledbury competed all the way, they conceded two tries, one in each half. Ledbury were unlucky not to score, but a few basic errors in difficult conditions cost dearly, and the lack of space on the narrow pitch did not help their style of play.

Game 3, the last of day 1, was against Corsham.

This was a very close game. Corsham had beaten Burnham on Sea and were expecting an easier game against Ledbury. They were surprised at how difficult the Ledbury team were to break down, and the Ledbury forwards were getting amongst them and making life very difficult. Unfortunately things did spill over at one stage and diplomatic substitutions were made on both sides. To Ledbury’s credit, they stood firm, and with the scores level at 0 – 0 at half time, this was still anybody’s game.

Corsham scored early in the second half. The number 8 swapped to scrum half, and picked up from the back, round the blind side, and over for a try.

The rest of the game was all Ledbury, but Corsham held firm, winning by the single try, leaving Ledbury and Hayle to join Aylesford and Wimborne for the plate competition on day 2.

The players all went for a swim back at camp, before going down to the sports bar to watch Gloucester v Munster. We wish we hadn’t!!

Then it was back for Fish and Chips, and some free time roaming the site, before bed and lights out.

The second day started in similar fashion to the first, with a hearty breakfast. Then off to the ground to warm up ready for the plate competition. The players had renewed confidence, quite rightly, and were focussed on the possibility of winning the plate trophy.

The first game was against Aylesford, who finished bottom of the second group. They were not a big team, but showed good handling skills and definitely improved during the first day, finishing with a win against Worthing. They started day two well, and Ledbury were slow to get going, allowing the centre to gather a loose ball and weave through a few tackle attempts to score in the corner. Trailing by one try at half time, Ledbury woke up for the second half, and after phase after phase of pressure from the forwards, Jack Forrester drove off the back of a maul to score. Ledbury deserved a second try, but despite camping on the opponents line, they could not score. A draw was not the end of the world, but it meant that a win in game 2 was more important.

The second game was against Wimborne, who were bigger, and definitely brighter in their pink shirts! This was a fantastic game of Rugby, with both sides moving the ball and running well. Ledbury were unlucky to go one try down when a knock on was missed and the referee awarded the try. Once again, however, Ledbury showed their determination never to give up, and Matt Thomas squeezed through several bodies to level the scores at half time. The second half was again all Ledbury, and pressure on the Wimborne fly half kept them pegged back on their line. Rory Gunning went over in the dying seconds only to be adjudged  to have been held up, and Wimborne just hung on to get the draw. The Ledbury players had given everything, and were very disappointed not to come away with a win.

The final game of the tournament was against Hayle, who had been well beaten by Ledbury the day before. They were short of players, and filled their team with a selection of the largest Worthing players! Their size alone was difficult to cope with, and they went one try up in the first half, when the ball came off the back of a scrum, and the back line were left out of position, leaving an easy gap to exploit. Once again Ledbury rallied, and the pressure was put on the tiring opposition. The ball was taken on by the forwards for two phases before being fed out by Oli Warrilow to Rory Gunning, who sent a missed pass to Dan Risbey. He had a lot to do from 10 yards out, but he showed great strength and power, managed to stay in play, and touched down for a last gasp try.

So the team came away from the second day unbeaten, and after initial disappointment realised that this was a fantastic performance from a big squad with varying levels of experience.

We then went back to the caravans, and ventured down to the beach for a game of baseball. The adults were less agile on the soft sand, and had to accept defeat from an extremely competitive young team!!  The experience of Hail on the beach in Hayle is one to remember but not repeat.

Congratulations to all members of the squad named below. Every person contributed positively to the tour, on and off the pitch. I hope that this team building experience will help move the squad forwards next year when they are introduced to 15 man Rugby.

SQUAD:

Henry Watson, Adam Baker, Henry Lee, Rhys Jones, Charlie Fox, Noah Callaghan, Tom Nicholls, Jack Forrester, Archie Sale, Matt Thomas, Oli Warrilow, Tom Vines, David Smith, Rory Gunning, Sam Wharton, Tom Poyner, Joe Fowke, Harry Wilkins, Matty Hand, Dan Risbey.