Match report

MATCH REPORT

24 October 2010

Ledbury U13s

LEDBURY U13s Maintain their Winning Streak with Convincing Win at Cheltenham Against Old Patesians.

Ledbury U13              39          Old Patesians            5

A glorious autumnal morning provided a perfect setting for the morning’s contest. The Ledbury squad of 16 set out to maintain their unbeaten run and did so convincingly with some excellent team play as well as flashes of individual brilliance.

Ledbury Team:

Ben Stevens, Sam Seaborn, Ben Savidge, Benedict Shimwell (Pack Leader), Rory Bateson, George Hemingway, Toby Hiram, Cameron Hunter, Charlie Samwells, Will Butler (Captain), James Newey, Sam Prestwich, Steve Howie, Hugh Smith, Marcus Ballinger, Tommy Kinsella (sub).

Try Scorers: Sam Prestwich (3), Steve Howie (2), Ben Stevens, James Newey. For the opposition: George Hemingway

Conversion: Marcus Ballinger (2)

Old Pats were short of players and so the Ledbury sub, Tommy Kinsella, gamely agreed to play in their second row, eventually switching with George Hemingway, put on to balance the packs.

Ledbury kicked off uphill into the sun and Old Pats gathered well and kicked a long return for territory. Marcus Ballinger caught and drifted wide across the pitch in an attempt to open up a probing foray in the opposite direction. At the breakdown Ledbury were penalised for handing on the ground and Old Pats came at the Ledbury line with pressure.

Ledbury’s defensive clearance led to the first scrum just inside the Old Pats half. Ledbury won the ball and as things settled George Hemingway broke and drove shrugging off any tackle attempts and making good ground until the supporting Ben Stevens emerged with the ball and powered his way over the line for the first score in the far corner. A very impressive forwards try, interestingly though the only one of the day. Unfortunately the conversion attempt had the direction but not the length.

From the restart Toby Hiram caught cleanly and ran down the touchline but the Old Pats defence was firm, ultimately winning a penalty and kicking for touch. Ledbury spoiled their throw and passed down the line until a further touch on the far side. Will Butler managed to clean up a messy throw setting up Steve Howie to make ground, linking with Cameron Hunter. Hugh Smith was drawn in from the opposite wing and looked as though he could be through, deftly off loading before the tackle to James Newey on his shoulder who made the penetration and scored. Great supporting play. Again from out wide no conversion but edging closer than the first.

With two early scores Ledbury’s confidence continued to flourish. Hugh Smith gathered the drop out which came out of the sun to the opposite side and held on until being bundled into touch. George Hemingway stole the throw and set up another attack as Sam Prestwich caught on the burst and dashed down the wing for his first try of the day. This time the conversion came tantalisingly close, just dropping short.

Old pats dropped out long, gathered by Marcus Ballinger at full back who returned the kick with interest. A lucky bounce placed the ball in the hands of Sam Prestwich who passed out to Cameron Hunter linking with Steve Howie. His pace was too much for the opposition and he ran from the half way to score considerately under the posts. This time no mistake in the conversion as Marcus Ballinger added the extra two points.

With Ledbury dominating the play the coaches offered to exchange George Hemingway for Tommy Kinsella in an attempt to balance the game. He immediately exerted his influence and galvanised the Old Pats pack into a strong run of play, only halted by Sam Prestwich putting in a crunching tackle on his erstwhile team mate. Ledbury won their scrum; Charlie Samwells swiftly fed Will Butler who manoeuvred position to enable James Newey to free Steve Howie out on the wing who again powered through for another score under the posts, Once more the two extra points gained from the boot of Marcus Ballinger.

From the Old Pats drop out Sam Seaborn was blinded by the sun, missing the catch but managing to boot the ball forward. Unfortunately it fell into the hands of George Hemingway who seized his opportunity for a solo drive and crashed through to put Old Pats on the score sheet. No conversion from the long attempt out wide.    

Old Pats caught the Ledbury drop out cleanly and immediately set up an attack, galvanised by their first score. Benedict Shimwell cleared up the ensuing loose ball and with a wild pass luckily released Will Butler who managed a further pass to Marcus Ballinger, switching to the blindside and bringing winger Hugh Smith into the play. From good territory Ledbury won the resulting throw in and Old Pats were penalised for off side. Charlie Samwells took the penalty quickly and set Cameron Hunter off on a probing run. Old Pats regained possession but Sam Prestwich nipped the counter in the bud and after concerted pressure he was through for his second but no conversion. So ended the first half.

With a comfortable margin Ledbury seemed to ease off a bit at the start of the second half, putting themselves under unnecessary pressure for some sloppy mistakes. Wayward passes, lack of communication, scrag tackles, handling on the ground and offsides all conspired to give Old Pats a way back into the game. In fact it took a strong tackle from Hugh Smith to stop George Hemingway from breaking through for his second for the opposition.  Ledbury ultimately rallied and regained composure from a clean catch by Benedict Shimwell at a throw in, setting up Ledbury’s best move of the day as the ball passed fast down the line and James Newey doubled round on the outside creating an extra man and linking once more with Sam Prestwich who gained his hat trick as a result. The conversion proved elusive once more.

As the half progressed Ledbury came under close scrutiny from the ref and rightly had every infringement pounced on which proved a good lesson in maintaining momentum and composure.  Being further penalised for not being 10 back could so easily have conceded to the opposition. But for the defensive tackling of Toby Hiram, Will Butler, Rory Bateson, and, in particular, Sam Prestwich, Ledbury managed to thwart any Old Pats penetration.

Ultimately, as time ran down, Old Pats had a final chance as Ledbury came into the loose from in front of the game line. Two resulting penalties put them within yards to the Ledbury line. The ball was held up and from the scrum 5 George Hemingway tried to surge through from No 8 but the wily Cameron Hunter brought his man down tantalisingly short. The Ledbury pack held firm, with the likes of Sam Seaborn, Ben Stevens and Ben Savidge forming a brick wall under fierce pressure near the posts until the final whistle came as a blessed relief.

In conclusion a good game with plenty for Ledbury to learn from if they are to gel more as a cohesive whole and make better use of their undoubted talents. Greater discipline and tactical awareness will set the team up for encounters against tougher opposition to come. Well done all!