U9s v Redingensians

Indiscipline costs "Tiger’s" again….. but "Lions" show promise

Sunday 15th January 2006

The Maidenhead RFC U9’s "Tigers" and "Lions" teams welcomed Redingensians RFC to Braywick on Sunday.

The Tigers played some of their best ever rugby in a very physical encounter that was dominated by forward play including some excellent forward driving by Cameron Gray and some hard tackling by David James. Both teams fought bravely in a game that was a succession of very physical rucks and mauls. The teams were so even and the game so intense that there was little opportunity for free flowing rugby.

The Tigers had much of the early possession but nearly succumbed to some early pressure from Redingensians when Daniel Morgan made a triesaving tackle.

Unfortunately the Tigers eventually succumbed to two breakaway tries.

The first did not come until the last quarter of the match, when Redingensians quickly took a free kick following a disputed refereeing decision. Whilst some of the Tigers were still protesting Readingensians broke away for a try which went against the run of play.

The try may have affected the confidence of the Tigers as soon after, a second breakaway try was conceded.

A late rally by the Tigers nearly salvaged something from the game but Dan Blackwell just failed to score a try when his excellent run was ended when he was forced into touch one metre from the try line.

Despite the late misfortune there was much for the Tigers to be satisfied about. They had put in one of their best ever performances and but for some late indiscipline their fortunes could have been reversed.

The Lions game was one of two halves. The Lions are a newly developing outfit, their number being swelled by the recent arrival of some promising new players. Their lack of playing experience together showed in the first half, however things came together as the match progressed and despite losing the fixture there was little between the teams at the end.

In the first half there were positive signs from the Lions. Strong running from Cameron Moffat, Ollie Newton and Jeremy Garrett put the home side in promising positions, but the slippery conditions, coupled with inexperience in some situations, meant that momentum couldn’t be maintained as the ball was moved through the line. Despite several breaches of the Lions defence, impressive work in the maul by Rory Jenkins kept the visitors at bay on several occasions.

At half time the team were buoyed by a Churchill-like team talk by their coach. The team regrouped and took too the field with a renewed sense of purpose. Initially it looked like the Lions would be forced to spend another period encamped in their own half, with strong attacking play from the visitors, but the home side defended valiantly through Liam Haines and almost snatched a try from a surging cross-field run from Luke Jordan. Unfortunately Luke was tackled just short of the line.

A couple of further tries from Readingensians threatened to break the Lions resolve, but two strong runs following powerful forward play resulted in 2 tries for Matt Bourne. The visitors were still ahead but snapping tackles by scrumhalf Oliver Murphy, kept Lions in touch. The Lions almost grabbed another try, when a well-worked move by Rory Jenkins allowed Keegan Curlewis, to break for the line. Sadly he was just stopped short by a last ditch tackle from Readingensians.

Despite two defeats, the Lions showed a great deal of promise and should go from strength to strength as the new players become integrated into the side.

Teams

"Tigers" - Tommy Roberts, Connor Stevens, David James, Daniel Morgan, Michael Egan, , Chris Gill, Cameron Gray, Ellie Rayer, Dan Blackwell, Jordan Davis

"Lions" - Ben Morris, Cameron Moffat, Falco Swinfen-Wilkes, Harry Hood, James Cook, Jeremy Garrett, Keegan Curlewis, Liam Haines, Luke Jordan, Matt Bourne, Oliver Murphy, Oliver Newton, Rhys Brooker, Rory Jenkin