Newbury U14’s 24 - 29 Beaconsfield
September 28, 2009
“A good season beckons after a narrow defeat to Beaconsfield”
Newbury U14’s played host to Beaconsfield in a friendly on Sunday and although narrowly defeated 24 - 29 this was a real opportunity to look at the majority of the squad in a competitive game.
Beaconsfield had barely 15 players where Newbury, without some of the squad still had 27 players to choose from, a great advert for Junior Rugby.
In true tradition of a Newbury side the game kicked off, the opposition ran at Newbury and opened the scoring 0 - 7. Newbury then woke up.
From the kick off Newbury attacked and after a short phase of forward play Tristan Telford, who with Cole Bates dominated the mid field throughout the game, collected the pass and jinked his way under the posts with Cole Bates converting 7 - 7. All square.
The game was very competitive and some good running from both sets of backs gave both sides opportunities to score but equally good defence or a dropped pass thwarted the play and a score. After 15 minutes a counter attack by Newbury saw some quick passing with both Telford and Bates involved to set Freddie Fane running clear to score unconverted 12 - 7.
Newbury competed well but their early season rustiness showed, allowing Beaconsfield to push them off the ball at the breakdown and release their strong runners who ran in two tries to go in on half time 12 - 17 in front.
“Coaches View”
Good first half: some good individual performances from Bates and Telford with Collington in a new position at 6 and Captain led from the front and stirred the guys up well, with good support from Fane, Brady, Castle and Cresswell.
Lost our concentration on occasions and need to think about organisation on the field but overall pleasing start.
Newbury restarted well and considering the changes at half time the replacements slotted in well. Again the Newbury back line attacked well, Patrick Quinton-Smith running his back line well and after a quick break released Cole Bates to attack and run in to bring Newbury back on terms
17 - 17.
Beaconsfield regrouped and attacked strongly. Newbury defended well, tacking bravely but after sustained pressure Newbury crumbled and Beaconsfield where in front again 17 - 24.
Once more Beaconsfield countered Newbury pressure and ran in again to make the score 17 - 29. Considering the heat and pace of the game Newbury never gave up or dropped their heads and
from the kick off Newbury attacked and after a good passage of play Cole Bates tackled won the ball and ran in to score and convert 24 - 29.
With only 3 minutes left Newbury continued their hard work but were left defeated 24 - 29.
No disappointment in this friendly, 27 players had game time and long term injured assisted in carrying water bottles and being part of the whole team.
“Coaches View”
Some real positives, good defence, good spirit and good attitude. Things to work on, consistently win ball at the breakdown, we did it well in parts but not so well at critical times. Communication and Concentration is critical.
The kids all enjoyed themselves and it’s great to see a good squad effort and a building squad spirit, plenty to work on but really good with what we’ve seen.
And so to training next week in preparation for Windsor Festival and Basingstoke and some tough work on winning ball and skills.
Our Indian Summer continues and Monks Lane is lovely in September. If the boys work hard and keep improving the season will be good at Monks Lane….Not so sure about the weather though!
Match Reporter: Caroline Coombs
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