Match report

25th October 2009

Ledbury U14s 14 - Old Richians U14s 15

Injuries and half term combined to leave the squad lighter than usual, and with only 18 players available Ledbury were certainly not at full strength. With alot of experience missing it was essential that the team worked together, and although Ledbury competed keenly they lacked composure at critical times, and this ultimately cost them the game.

From the kickoff Ledbury received the ball and fed wide to Matt Hand who ran from inside his own 22 to score under the posts. Tom Poyner converted. Ironically this might have cost Ledbury the game, because from that moment the team thought that running from deep was going to work every time. Mistakes allowed Old Richians back int the game, and they scored three unconverted tries in the first half, pegging Ledbury back in their 22 for long spells.

In the second half Old Richians continued to put pressure on an inexperienced and lighter Ledbury pack, but the forwards stuck at their task, and good hooking from Henry Watson, and hard work from Noah Callaghan and Sam Brooks helped to keep Ledbury in the game. It was from a scrum that Ledbury scored their second try. And what a try! Noah Callaghan picked up from the back of a scrum just inside the opposition half. He left the back row standing, and weaved and side-stepped all the way to the line. Ben Butler converted.

One point in it and all to play for. Ledbury had enough posession to win the game, but handling errors and turnover ball cost them dearly. Too many hand tackles rather than getting the shoulder in and not enough rucking intensity. Many positives to take away, however. Dan Risbey played well in the second row, Sam Brooks was tennacious at flanker. Noah Callaghan captained well, and with 10 regular players missing, the squad showed that we have strength in depth, which will hold us in good stead for the rest of the season.

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