Match report

08 November 2009

Ledbury  U14s 34 - Cheltenham B U14s 31

In wet slippery conditions it was always going to be difficult to spin the ball from side to side, which is Ledbury's prefered style, and with several of the usual squad members missing from the pack it was time for others to step up to the mark.

Ledbury started brightest and rucked superbly for the first ten minutes, turning ball over and spinning the ball to Alistair Martin who twice in close succession found the opposition reluctant to tackle and ran in from 40 yards.  Tom Poyner found it difficult to keep his footing when kicking, and failed with both conversions.

A lapse in concentration at a set piece scrum allowed the opposition back into the game with a smartly worked backs move. The conversion was also missed. Ledbury continued to win more possession, despite the bigger opposition, and Matt Hand finished off a good move by diving over. Conversion successful.

Alistair scored again just before half time, and Will Dzioba did all the hard work to get over the line, only to ground the ball over the dead ball line. A comfortable 22 - 5 half time lead. What could go wrong.

The second half saw Cheltenham come back strongly. Ledbury were tiring and body positions were too upright. Having rested Alistair, after his fourth try at the beginning of the half, Ledbury lacked tactical awareness, and tried to compete with Cheltenham in a free flowing game. They needed to slow things down and play a safe game, but Cheltenham made them panic, and scored three quick tries, two of which were converted, leaving the scores 27 - 24 going into the last 10 minutes.

Cheltenham still pushed hard, and two missed tackles allowed a score under the posts. Try converted and unbelievably Ledbury found themselves 4 points down with 5 minutes to go. It was the return of Martin that made the difference. A good tackle in midfield, returning quickly to his feet and stealing the ball, and running to within 5 metres of the line before being held up. Cheltenham defence was determined. Joe Fowke drove forwards to the line and may well have made it, but decided to set the ruck. Cheltenham were feeling the pressure and were killing the ball. Two penalties in close succession, drive after drive and eventually Liam Colledge dived over the line 3 minutes over time to score the winning points. Tom Poyner converted.

A great result, should have been more comfortable, but the squad should be pleased with the determination that snatched this late victory.