Match report

04th October 2009

Bromyard U14s 26 - Ledbury U14s 33

After all of the training and pre-season work it was time to put the squad onto the pitch and start another year. Where better to start than local rivals Bromyard. On a fine day, ideal for running rugby, the teams lined up to do battle, and it was Bromyard who made the brighter start, putting two or three phases together and spinning the ball wide for their centre to crash over. The conversion was missed.  Ledbury kicked off and started to put pressure on the Bromyard pack. The scrums were working well for Ledbury and the ball was moved into the backs through slick hands on the blind side, with Alistair Martin gaining good yards before being tackled. Josh Brett was quick to arrive at the ruck, picked up and piled over with three Bromyard players on his back for a good equalising try. Ben Butler missed the conversion.

From the kickoff Ledbury again put pressure on the Bromyard pack, and

the ball was scooped up by Alistair Martin after some handling areas, and this time he was not going to be caught. Ben Butler converted.

Now Ledbury were playing with more confidence, but several handling areas made it a stop/start few minutes. Eventually the ball found it's way to Alistair who ran in again from 30 yards to score his second, once again converted by Ben.

From the kick off Bromyard kicked deep into the in goal area. Sam Brookes gathered and after a degree of uncertainty, decided to run the ball back to Bromyard. He linked with Joe Fowke who in turn fed Tom Buteux. Tom straightened the line and powered up to half way before being tackled. He presented the ball and Alistair Martin once again was on hand to run in his third try. Ben converted.

Bromyard never gave up, and they had the final word in the first half, with another touchdown, well converted.

Changes were made at half time and the Ledbury team kicked off for the second half. Ledbury enjoyed plenty of possession but failed to take the ball forwards with confidence. Under pressure, players were still trying to pass the ball, and it was an interception that gave Bromyrd the first score of the second half. The conversion made the score 19 - 26. Ledbury continued to dominate possession, and Matthew Badham made a fantastic break through the centre and had the line at his mercy. He unfortunately hesitated, thinking that he wouldn't make it to the line, and although Fowke was in support, Bromyard regrouped and cleared the danger. Not long after, Ledbury were again on the attack and the ball was fed back from a ruck, Tom Vines fed Joe Fowke who drew his man and released Liam Colledge to score Ledbury's fifth try. There was no hiding his pleasure at scoring against his old club, and the conversion was well taken from near the touchline by Tom Poyner.

Bromyard rallied late on and after a spell of pressure finally got the ball over the line for their final score, which was converted. The final few minutes were tense, but Ledbury held on for a good, well deserved victory. This was a good warm-up for the first Cup game against Evesham next week.

Squad:

Kris Layton, Josh Brett, Adam Baker, Ben Chapman, Tom Buteux, Harry Wilkins, Liam Colledge, Joe Fowke, David Smith, Ben Butler, Alistair Martin,Matthew Badham, Sam Brooks, Tom Nicholls, Ryan Morris, Tom Vines, Dan Risbey, Henry Wilson, Tom Poyner, Charlie Fox.