U12s v Winchester and Reading

Sunday 23rd January 2005

Two full-strength Under 12 teams travelled down the M3 to Winchester for an entertaining and highly competitive morning’s rugby against the hosts and Reading.

Sharks
The Sharks played out an enthralling 0.0 draw against Winchester with both sides passing well. An incisive move by Backs Paul Sayers and Michael Habgood early in the first half carried Maids to five metres out but Winchester held firm. The hosts applied constant pressure, pinning Maids back on their own try line for long periods. But resolute and well-organised defending meant most attacks faltered there. If the boys had made better use of their possession they might have found a few more openings.

An emphatic 35.0 victory against Reading followed. Oliver Evans on the wing opened the scoring from a well-worked move by the Backs. Forwards Alex Jones, Miguella Kerrins, Ben Pritchard and Charlie Wickham-Smith were too powerful for Reading in the rucks and mauls. Scrum half Sam Yates found a gap and gained 20 metres as the pack rumbled forward for Wickham-Smith to dive over and double the lead. Sayers added a third before half-time. A great piece of anticipation saw James Parrot poach the ball from Reading’s inattentive Backs to score a simple try. Evans completed the scoring, ending a superb passing move, with quick hands from Morgan Davies and Tristan Cadden, that started from a line-out on the right and finished in the left hand corner. Sayers hit three conversions and sure-footed Alex Ridgeway put two away.

With Winchester beating Reading by five tries to nil, but missing two conversions, the Sharks were the day’s winners.

Results
Winchester 0-0 Sharks
Reading 0-35 Sharks

Marlins
Marlins continue to improve with each competitive match and almost out-fought their hosts in the opening game. More determined tacking would have kept out Winchester, who scored twice on the break. Backs Daniel Tydeman, Owan Haughey and Paul Sweeney attacked aggressively. Tom Bunn and Ben Roberts showed their pace.

Winchester and Reading fielded a Barbarians team that found the going tough against the Marlins, who went even closer to scoring in their second game. Back Tom Simpson made a try-saving tackle as the Barbarians threatened. Forwards James Holt, Michael Simpson and Elliott Reid were formidable but the team couldn’t hold on to the ball to complete a try scoring move.

Results
Winchester 10-0 Marlins
Barbarians 10-0 Marlins