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U15s design their own downfall Reading Abbey U15s 26pts v
Maidenhead U15s 7pts |
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If this Maidenhead side can stamp out key errors at key times, they will start to win matches comfortably and start to realise the massive potential that they have throughout the team. Of the 22pts Abbey scored, 15 were gifted to them by silly mistakes and indiscipline. Playing with the wind and down the hill in the first half, Maids looked comfortable and in control and although Abbey had the much bigger and more powerful pack, Maids were controlling possession and territory well The Maids backs looked the much more likely to score, with Christoph Bart and James Henderson always making the Abbey defence look vulnerable and any threat from Abbey attacks snuffed out by a well organised and committed defence, particularly from William Lerche on the wing against a fast and strong opposite number 10 minutes in, Maids won clean lineout ball 10 yards from their own line and were about to clear comfortably when the ball was fumbled and the Abbey flanker picked up and stepped over the Maids' line to score Although suffering slightly at the scrum, Maids were holding their own, with Michael Jones working particularly hard in his unaccustomed position of tight head, and Maids dominated for the rest of the half Maids' open side, Cameron Anderson was causing particular problems all over the park for Abbey, both in attack and defence, however Maids were squandering good scoring chances through lack of patience and retention at final phases. One more phase at several key stages would have given Maids the lead at half time - as it was they went in 5–0 down Now up the hill and against the wind, Maids continued to have the best of the play and territory until a loose kick straight to the Abbey full back was returned into the Maids deadball area, only for Maids to fail to control the difficult bounce allowing Abbey a simple touch down With territory and possession still going Maids way, a series of good drives and quick ball forced Abbey to give a penalty away 5 yards out from their own line. A quick tap and Cameron Anderson twisted over for a well worked try that Billy Evans converted 10 – 7 with 5 minutes to go, confidence high and territory ours. What happened you might ask? Maids put themselves under pressure from the kick off by allowing the ball to bounce, although in retrieving the ball, Abbey gave away a penalty 10 yards out. Rather than running to the game plan, Maids took a quick penalty and lost possession in their own 22. With the backs lined up to attack, Abbey won quick ball and scored an easy try Down the hill and with the wind Abbey played a kicking game for territory in the last couple of minutes and a well worked line out took them deep into the Maids 22 where they scored with the last touch of the game following a 5 yard penalty against Maids for offside Very disappointed boys and very frustrated coaches. There were more good points than bad points to come out of this game although the bad points were such that they converted into tries But one day we will all get it right, and when we do the opposition better watch out. |