U12s v Redingensians and High Wycombe

Sunday 13th February 2005

The Under 12s took two squads the short distance along the M4 to Redingensians, for games against A teams from the hosts and High Wycombe on a bitingly cold morning.

Sharks
Back Paul Sayers set Sharks on their way in the first move of the game. From the kick off he ghosted through a static Redingensians line, ran two-thirds of the pitch to score the easiest try of the morning. Redingensians woke up and offered stiffer opposition but could do nothing to contain irrepressible Back Morgan Davies. No doubt spurred on by Wales’ uncharacteristically impressive start to the Six Nations, Davies scored the next two tries.

A quickly taken penalty started the Sharks’ next key move. The ball was played wide by Forward Ben Pritchard. James Parrott released Davies on the wing, who found space in the corner. A similar move, after excellent passing and possession by the Sharks, gave Davies the opportunity to collect a quick pass from Tristan Cadden and drive home Sharks’ advantage with the third try.

Sharks proved too strong for High Wycombe in their second game, with another excellent display of passing. Sam Yates and Rory Creffield were industrious down the left flank. Charlie Wickham-Smith switched play to the right for TJ Hudson and Davies to drive upfield.

Sharks opened the scoring with a real team try – the majority of the forwards plus a few backs were piled high in a ruck right on Wycombe’s try line. Parrott provided the final touch for 5.0.

The speed of Wing Oliver Evans unsettled the opposition. Tenacious play by Thomas Simpson and Tom Bunn helped Sharks dominate. Connor Murphy, making his first team debut as Prop, put in some great tackles. Sharks retained possession, won the mauls and drove effectively. Parrot found a gap in Wycombe’s defensive to burst through for his second try.

Results
Redingensians 0-15 Sharks
High Wycombe 0-10 Sharks

Marlins
Marlins matched their A team opposition in both matches, narrowly missing victory to cruel final-second tries in both games. Marlins played confident, attacking rugby that kept High Wycombe on the back-foot for almost the entire match. David Walker and Paul Sweeney put in some robust tackling.

Seb Owen, George Kirk worked hard and Michael James was effective in the driving mauls. With the last move of the match, Wycombe found a scrap of space in the corner to score the winning try.

Marlins kept their shape and held their ground well in their second match against the hosts. Redingensians showed a lot of pace, but the Marlins weren’t afraid to get their tackles in, particularly Alex Jones and Thomas Simpson.

Elliot Reid opened the scoring after a determined run. Redingensians pulled level with a well-worked try. In the final minute an excellent move by Redingensians, playing a clever dummy to split open Marlins defensive line, scored their second.

Results
High Wycombe 5-0 Marlins
Redingensians 10-5 Marlins