Match report

31st October 2010

Ledbury U15s 54 - Cheltenham B U15s 14

A large squad of 24 players turned out for Ledbury on a fine Haloween morning. Last season Cheltenham B gave Ledbury a very close game, with the home side winning by a point in the last minute. So it was expected to be a close encounter again.

From the kickoff Cheltenham B looked competent in the forwards and secured possession over several phases. Ledbury were slow to start and were being outrucked and could not secure good quality ball. It was against the run of play when Noah Callaghan broke from the back of the line to intercept the scrum half pass and run in under the posts from 40 yards. Steve Evans converted.

This gave Ledbury confidence and soon after the key to the game became evident to all on the Ledbury side. The ball was moved swiftly through the backs to Aaron James on the wing who rounded his opponent to touch down for Ledbury's second. Steve Evans added the conversion.

Ledbury could match the forwards, but if good ball was secured then our backs were capable of getting through and round the Chelt B back line. After a similar phase, Matthew Badham used an overlap to score his first of the season.

Joe Fowke crashed through the defence and offloaded for Ali Martin to score at the end of the half, and a try from Cheltenham B made the score 26 - 7 at half time.

The result was not really a fair reflection of the game. Ledbury forwards had to work very hard to secure ball, and Ali Martin's second try came as a result of pressure from the defensive line, resulting in a loose ball, gathered by Ali who ran in from halfway.

Will Dzioba charged over from a crash ball in the centre in a well executed set move, and Noah Callaghan got a second after good forward work through several phases.

Matty Hand rounded things off at the end with a good weaving run to dive spectacularly under the posts, although there was still time for Cheltenham to score a well deserved final try.

The game was played in good spirit, and it was good to see the hard work in training coming together on the pitch for the first time this season.