U14′s at Windsor Festival and Basingstoke
October 13, 2009
“No Wins for the U14’s but All Positives as the season moves forward”
Newbury U14 Stags travelled to their first tournament this season and with the bare 15 looked to give themselves a boost and put into practice the first months training.
First up were Beaconsfield who looked a good unit but Newbury showed the training had paid off and took the rucking game to a new level. Beaconsfield, who eventually won the competition ran out by two goals to nil 12 – 0 but Newbury’s makeshift squad competed very well.
Second up were the mighty Saracens and Newbury had huge pressure, rucking superbly and pushing Saracens to within 5 metres of their own line. But for a breakaway try Newbury were on top and at the break were 12 – 0 down.
Halftime and into the second half Newbury piled on the pressure attacking and counter attacking with greater confidence as each minute passed. A break out led to Newbury taking the ball the length of the field for the outstanding Cole Bates to score under the posts. 12 -7 and Newbury back in the game and in the ascendancy.
Unfortunately an injury to Jordyn Ramos, who had stepped admirably up to play scrum half cut the day short but with only thirteen players fit and Jordyn taken to hospital it was an easy decision to call it a day. Pride more than intact and fortunately as we later found out Jordyn not too seriously injured. We have a whole season ahead so common sense prevails.
Coaches View:
“It’s always difficult to gauge a tournament like this but overall really pleased with the boys. They played with great spirit and attitude and showed real character and most importantly, showed great Team Spirit and what they’d learnt on the training pitch delivered it into a match situation.
No negatives only positives. Confidence will start to build.
Cole’s try was a well worked counter attack which involved forwards and backs to release him to score so a good team effort. Well done to all the guys”.
Over at Basingstoke the Roebucks took to the field with just enough players and as with many of these games which are scheduled Basingstoke took to the field playing their main squad early on get themselves in front. This is always a challenge for the likes of our age group lucky enough to have a big squad so sometimes fixtures can be a bit unbalanced. However the Roebucks equipped themselves well and again did well at the breakdown but were outgunned by a much stronger opposition.
Coaches View:
“A really positive start for the Bucks but overall we must believe in ourselves more and most importantly get our tackles in. Something to work on in training but things are shaping well and a creditable effort from the guys”.
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