Match report

3rd October 2010

MATCH REPORT

3 October 2010

Ledbury U13s

LEDBURY U13s Kick Start the New Season with Resounding Wins Over Two Visiting sides from Bromyard and Malvern.

Ledbury U13              37          Bromyard       0

Ledbury U13 Dev     41          Malvern Dev   5

With a squad of 33 drawn from 15 schools across 5 counties Ledbury were able to field two teams of 15 against Bromyard and a Malvern Development team, ensuring an action packed morning’s rugby for all. It was a great benefit for those recent newcomers to the club to be able to show their paces so soon and enter into the camaraderie of the “veteran” players. What better welcome than to start the season with such emphatic results, although a few reinforcements would not have gone amiss when both sides dropped to 14 through injury! Any takers out there?

Match 1 (RB) v Bromyard

Ledbury Squad:

Ben Stevens, Sam Seaborn, Ben Savidge, Rory Bateson, Tommy Kinsella, George Hemingway, Benedict Shimwell, Cameron Hunter, Charlie Samwells, Will Butler (Captain), Sam Prestwich, Steve Howie, Hugh Smith, Stuart Martin, Marcus Ballinger.

Sub: Dan Smith

The early rain eased but the brisk wind was not quite enough to blow away the cobwebs as Ledbury were immediately brought back to the centre for a Bromyard scrum after being caught in front of the kicker at the drop out. And so began the initial jostling for position as each side weighed the other up, keen to capitalise on respective memories of past encounters. The strong Bromyard number 8 broke with the ball but was nipped in the bud with an exemplary tackle from Sam Prestwich. Will Butler stole the ball in the breakdown and cut loose on the blindside but a wayward pass led to the first lineout in Bromyard’s favour. Ledbury snaffled it in the line out and quickly fed down their line but fumbled in the centre. Scrum again to Bromyard who broke blind but were tackled into touch.

Ledbury won clean ball and began to string things together in a more settled way, probing the Bromyard backs’ defence who did well to thwart the Ledbury runs and launch their own counter attacks. Ben Savidge bravely halted a run, going down on the ball in the loose and enabling Ledbury to push over and regain. The resultant ball was quickly fed down the line and Steve Howie had two strong runs, changing direction and gaining territory. When Bromyard then won in the loose they kicked long but did not make touch, finding instead the arms of Stuart Martin on the wing who gathered and ran. So it went back and forth for a long run of play, both sides making mistakes but equally strong in defence.

Ultimately the first real chance for Ledbury came with a break by Benedict Shimwell at number 8, standing in for the late arrival of George Hemingway, from a scrum in front of the Bromyard posts. The move broke down and the Bromyard number 8 launched his own attack from the ensuing scrum but did not get far.

Sam Prestwich picked up a loose ball and looked close to breaking the deadlock but ran out of space leading to a Bromyard throw after they made an injury substitution. Bromyard won the throw but were soon bundled into touch themselves. Ledbury wasted the opportunity by not throwing in the 5 metres but the break down enabled George Hemingway to come on for Dan Smith.

The change helped settle the Ledbury back row and we saw more of a drive from George Hemingway with Ben Stevens and Sam Seaborn on his shoulder in support. Ledbury were looking the more threatening but Bromyard held them with some long defensive kicks, ably gathered by Marcus Ballinger at full back. The Bromyard defence began to creak, ultimately penetrated through a catch by Stuart Martin, offloaded to Benedict Shimwell, in turn feeding George Hemingway who set up a forward drive culminating in Sam Seaborn crashing over for a try in the corner, but despite a good shot at it no conversion from Marcus Ballinger as the ball hooked inside. Within minutes the whistle went for half time after a Ledbury penalty kick into touch.

With their late score in the first half Ledbury were keen to pick up where they left off and Cameron Hunter immediately drove forward from his catch of the drop out, linking with Rory Bateson who offloaded to Ben Stevens for a strong forward drive. Bromyard won the ball in the loose but Will Butler stopped them in their tracks with a copy book tackle. They came again and it took a good clearance kick at the back of the ruck from Charlie Samwells, within 10 metres of Ledbury line, to make things safe. Rory Bateson broke through once more with Benedict Shimwell in support, ultimately freeing Cameron Hunter who almost made it but spilled the ball going over, giving a scrum 5.

Tommy Kinsella, following strong work in the engine room of the second row, was injured in the ensuing loose play, leaving Ledbury down to 14 with no spare subs. Bromyard gamely offered one of their players to make up the side.

This became the turning point in the game with a scrappy kick from Bromyard being intercepted by Steve Howie, this time showing an unstoppable turn of speed and agility to go over for his first score for his new club. George Hemingway attempted the conversion in light of the range but only narrowly fell short.

The Bromyard drop out, caught by Stuart Martin, led to a ruck with Bromyard penalised for handling on the ground. Marcus Ballinger kicked long for territory leading to a further penalty for offside. Ledbury played it down the line and the scavenging Cameron Hunter seized his opportunity for a score again near the corner. George Hemingway came closer with the conversion this time but bounced off the post.

The Bromyard drop out was returned with interest by Marcus Ballinger and Hugh Smith followed up well, capturing the ball and passing to Benedict Shimwell in hot pursuit who ran through for a further score. Yet again the conversion attempt fell well short, this time from Marcus Ballinger.

The drop out was caught by Rory Bateson who, looking for support, linked with Ben Stevens and led a forward drive, smuggling to Cameron Hunter who passed to Sam Prestwich at just the right moment for him to penetrate the opposition line and be through for another score. Having thoughtfully touched down between the posts this time Marcus Ballinger was successful in his conversion adding the extra two points.

With a short grubber kick of a restart Bromyard fed ball straight into the hands of Benedict Shimwell who proceeded to run from his own half, evading a couple of missed tackles to, somewhat bemusedly, claim his second score of the day. A fine case of seizing your opportunity and he was none the worse for the exertion after getting his inhaler! Again the conversion fell tantalisingly short.

By now Bromyard were under the cosh but still tried to break through, this time with a lo0ng drop out caught cleanly by Marcus Ballinger who kicked for territory. Unfortunately Ledbury followed up too soon and were penalised for offside. Bromyard opted for the scrum on the Ledbury line, which they won but were eventually forced into touch. Benedict Shimwell crashed through the line and linked with his backs leading to a further throw up field. Ledbury won the ball and Will Butler broke from Charlie Samwell’s quick supply, deftly drew his man and passed to Rory Bateson who sidestepped the tackle attempt and went for the line for the final score of the day. This time the conversion attempt pulled wide.

With only minutes to play Bromyard were looking for a consolation try but the Ledbury defence held firm in spite of losing the maul after the restart. George Hemingway crashed through and released Charlie Samwells who might have been through but for another breakdown and the final whistle came.

Ultimately we witnessed a sterling Ledbury team effort playing for the first time on a full pitch with 15 a side. Keep it up lads!

Try Scorers: Benedict Shimwell (2), Sam Seaborn, Steve Howie, Cameron Hunter, Sam Prestwich, Rory Bateson

Conversion: Marcus Ballinger

Match 2 (DW)

LRFC Development XV v Malvern Development XV

Result: Ledbury B: 41. Malvern B: 5

Scorers for Ledbury:

Tries: Toby Hiram (3), Jonathon Evans, James Newey, Toby Cotton & Myles Burrett-Newland.

Cons: Toby Hiram (3).

Team Sheet:

Owen Haymonds, Myles Burrett-Newlands, Kieron Smith, George Watson, Oliver Jones, Tommy Mapp, Dan Clark, Dan Hamlin, Jonathon Evans, James Newey, Toby Hiram, Alex Seager, Rhodri Whittaker, Harry Harris, Toby Cotton.

Replacements:

Dan Smith & Andrew Evans. 

Ledbury’s opening match of the season shared the same foul weather that afflicted the Ryder cup this weekend and right up until kick off it seemed that the heavy rain would play an important part in proceedings. Fortunately the rain relented just as the visitors kicked off. The ball was caught expertly by Toby Hiram who posted his intent, and set the scene by running the ball straight back at the opposition before combining with James Newey, one of the impressive new recruits this season, to continue the move deep into Malvern territory before being brought down by three defenders.

Ledbury’s hard working pack arrived quickly at the breakdown to secure good ruck ball allowing Jonathon Evans at scrum half to release Toby Hiram to round the defence and score the opening try to the left of the posts.

The try went unconverted and Malvern restarted by kicking the ball to the influential Tommy Mapp who ran straight and hard making good ground until he was stopped on the Malvern 10m line. Malvern won the resulting ruck but were forced to retreat by some aggressive home team defending culminating in a ball spilling tackle by Rhodri Whittaker inside the visitors 22. The ball was pounced on by Owen Haymonds and moved swiftly to Toby Hiram to score a carbon copy of his opening try.

Once again Malvern’s kick off was returned with devastating effect by Ledbury’s pack eventually forcing an attacking scrum just inside the Malvern 10m line. Ledbury secured the ball for Jonathon Evans to feed Toby Hiram who then returned the favour freeing the scrum half to score under the posts. This time the conversion was successful.

Again Malvern were unable to keep play in the opponents half from the kick off and Ledbury were soon on the attack finally releasing Andrew Evans to show his pace and potential with a searing run off his wing only to be brought down by a high tackle on the line, which proved to be his last contribution as he remained down with a nasty looking injury. Ledbury made a hash of the penalty but  eventually forced a 5m scrum from which Jonathon Evans made an excellent break and crossed the try line. Unfortunately the adrenaline must have been pumping as he continued on across the dead ball line to touch down off the playing surface and a deserved try went begging.

Malvern dropped out from their 22m line only to find James Newey who ran the ball back into the visitors 22 before cleverly releasing Toby Hiram to cross for his hat-trick and Ledburys fourth try and the home side went into half time with a healthy 22 points to nil lead.

Ledbury kicked the second half off and immediately put Malvern under pressure with good following up resulting in a defensive scrum just inside the visitors half. Ledbury won possession at the scrum and quickly moved the ball out for Toby Cotton to squeeze over the line to the right of the posts. Toby Hiram performed the honours converting the try for a full seven points.

With Malvern playing with greater determination Ledbury were having to work hard to maintain momentum but Ledbury’s control was complete catching Malvern in their own 22 and forcing mistakes which resulted in a thoroughly deserved try for James Newey to cap off a fine debut.

Toby Hiram converted and Malvern restarted handing possession straight back to the home team who were immediately on the offensive driving all the way to the visitors try line for Myles Burrett-Newland to squeeze in and touch down.

Malvern were well beaten by now but showed great spirit in scoring a consolation try through some brilliant individual play from their right winger following turnover ball at a scrum on the halfway line.

All in all an impressive display by Ledbury with Toby Hiram on sparkling form and with some fine individual performances in particular from the newer recruits James Newey and Andrew Evans as well as from some of the older hands. The forthcoming season could well prove the most fruitful yet.