Match report

10th October 2010

LEDBURY EDGED OUT IN HARD FOUGHT OPENER

Ledbury under 12s began there Season proper with a home tie against Hucclecote from Gloucester and although both squads had never met there was clearly respect on both sides going into this game.

Hucclecote arrived at Ross Road on the back of a tournament success the previous week and in good form , for Ledbury it was the first competitive match of the 2010/2011 Season and despite going down can take many positives away from the mornings games which i am sure put them in good stead for the long and physical season ahead.

It was agreed that 3 short matches would be played , with both sides starting with there strongest line ups for the opening game.

Game 1

Ledbury 0 - 7 Hucclecote

The visitors started brightly and used the ball to good effect in midfield and Ledbury were made to chase the game early on. With both sides probing for an opening it was Hucclecote who worked a good overlap out wide and finished off a smart move in the far corner to take the lead and this try was also converted. this was to prove to be the desicive moment as both sides cancelled each other out.

With both sets of forwards going toe to toe neither could work an opening cancelling each other out with some huge tackles and good rucking.

Ledburys indiscipline and infringements at the breakdown cost them valuable field position but despite this the visitors were unable to turn this advantage into points. Bennion and Hemingway both put in an extra effort to keep the visitors at bay.

At the turn it was more of the same with both sides putting in a totally committed performance , Ledbury were having more of this half and Hinkley and Scott carried well. Hucclecote to there credit tackled there hearts out and kept the Ledbury pack just about at bay .

Ledburys best moment came when from a defensive break the ball was shifted wide to Prosser who slipped his tackler and sprinted the length of the field only to be tackled with the line at his mercy and knocking on in the contact.

Hucclecote continued defending admirably and despite the best efforts of Bennion and Hinkley Ledbury were unable to get over the whitewash and the visitors took the spoils in what was a very evenly fought match.

Game 2

Ledbury 0 - 12 Hucclecote

In the second match both sides fielded a development squad with a few regular faces to help lead and guide the respective teams.It should be noted that ledbury gave debuts to 3 players and 2 others had only a handful of appearances between them and despite the defeat more than held there own against a very strong and larger squad.

As like the first game both sides probed and asked questions of the others defenses and neither were found wanting.

Hucclecote like in the previous match moved the ball well but were unable to break an organised and committed Ledbury defence, but with both sides desperate to get a foot hold in the game errors were made by both sets of players which kept the game finely balanced going into the break.

Ledbury came out for the second half looking much busier and they started to move the ball through the backs Harris, Evans and Prosser linked up well and some resolute Hucclecote defence denied them on several occasions and somewhat against the run of play Hucclecote gained themselves a penalty close to the hosts line and Hucclecotes larger pack were able to score from close range, although the conversion was missed.

Despite Ledburys best efforts to get back into the game through Bennion , Best , Goodchap and Co Hucclecote showed what a good squad they are and were clinical when Ledburys indiscipline let them down close in Hucclecote again sneaked in , in the corner to take the game and with the conversion kicked there was no time for Ledbury to respond.

Game 3

Ledbury 5 - 7 Hucclecote

With both sides bringing back on some of there starting line ups and leaving on a few less experienced this was another fully committed performance by both sets of players.

Ledbury despite the two previous losses had played some good rugby and were desperate to finish with a good performance and they certainly did this. Ledburys forwards matched and upped the anti on there opposite numbers and took the game by the scruff of its neck and in doing so finally got some field position in which to attack Hucclecote. 

Led by Hinkley , Hemingway and Bennion the forwards competed well and this allowed the backs some freedom Marriot , Prestwcih and Skittery were able to get into the game unlike the opener and put some tempo on the game , the visitors struggled with this and if not for some excellent tackling would have been behind sooner.

Great courage and ambition was shown by both squads and it was a pleasure to watch two high quality sides leaving it all out on the pitch , and despite the intensity displayed by both squads which left to a number of Hucclecote players having to leave the field , the game was played in a great spirit.

Ledbury struck first when Hinkley broke away from a maul to beat his opposite man and despite the visitors best efforts the number 8 galloped home for a fine individual score , but a very deserved one for the squad who all played there part.

But Hucclecote wouldn't go away and with virtually the last play of the match again took advantage of a Ledbury indiscretion to sneak over out wide from a close range penalty the extras were added and the game was won.   

Ledbury were left to rue there indiscipline but to be fair most of it was caused defending a against a very physical pack . However both sides put on a great mornings rugby enjoyed by all on both sides.

For Hucclecote they go on and we wish them well and look forward for a chance to level things at the Cheltenham Festival in November where i know we will be in much better shape to defend the title Ledbury deservedly won last year.

Defeated yes, but for a first game of the season and with alot of new players in the mix against quality opposition , the score line was a little flattering to the visitors and Ledbury are in good nick and should take great heart from this performance and without doubt we will be there abouts again come the business end of the Season !!!.

Well done lads keep working hard and it will happen !!.

A final thought to the lads from Hucclecote who got hurt today and especially the boy ( Edward ) i think who got took away by air ambulance, on behalf of us all at Ledbury we hope he gets well and is back playing rugby again soon.