Sun 8 Jan 2023, 12:00
Match report Hungerford U14s V Royal Wotton Basset
09/01/2023
Today saw RWB visiting the U14s with a development squad and some first team players returning from injury. We were hoping for an evenly matched game and for the first time in a while fielding a full team of Hungerford players, including subs, everyone was looking forward to see what a full strength Hungerford side could achieve.
We were not disappointed. It was a frenetic start to the first half of the game with first up tackles being made on both sides and advantage switching sides constantly. It was already clear this was going to be a real battle between the sides with immense tackling from both sides and Jonathon (C) deserves a mention for being all over the pitch exceeding any tackle count he has had before. Then RWB made a charge up the pitch and just when we thought they had broken through a colossal tackle from Joe G stopped the charge, resulting in a penalty kick.
No advances were made by Hungerford from the line out and RWB were on their way back up the pitch again with some great controlled scrummaging and using their huge number 8, they picked and ran up the blind side to score the first try of the game but not converted
0-5
It’s certain both teams know they are in a game of rugby, the pace has not relented, another run up the pitch by RWB number 8 looked to be a scoring chance until Ryan (C) chased him down stopping him in his tracks. Loose ball was picked up by RWB, this time any advance was saved by Harry (T) getting the player into touch. A Hungerford line out on their 5 metre line was caught and passed back for a kick out to safety but unfortunately it didn’t work and RWB passed down the line to score their second try, this time converting.
0-12
Another line out for RWB saw their hooker taking the ball and charging up the pitch breaking through some tackles until he met with Cameron (M) who didn’t disappoint with his usual standard of huge tackles leading to a ruck on the floor, Hungerford unfortunately giving away a penalty for coming in from the side. The last 10 minutes of the first half Hungerford absorbed intense pressure from RWB with some mammoth tackling coming in from Tristan (M), Tom (S) and James (R) and RWB couldn’t turn their possession into points
Half Time Score 0-12
Second half started like the first, lots of pressure, Hungerford defending their line well, after a gee up from their captain Alex (C) their heads are certainly in this game. A halfway line out for RWB saw them use their hooker move, stopped again by Cameron (M). James (R) picks the ball up and runs most of the way up the pitch but didn’t quite have the legs to out run their defences, tries a kick to the try line which RWB get to first but doesn’t matter as James (R) is hot on their heels to tackle them into touch.
Play has moved back and forth again between the teams, Hungerford are up their scoring end only a few metres out, it’s clearly a whole team effort to try and get this ball over the line; after a melee of tackling and bodies flying all over the ball pops loose over the line and Jonathon (C) darts over to land on it and get Hungerford’s first score, expertly converted by James (R)
7-12
Hungerford have stepped up their aggression, pressuring RWB. Once again it’s back and forth but Hungerford have come out fighting. Harry (T) makes a storming run down the side-line to 10 metres out before being tackled, Cameron (M) picks up the ball and ships it along the line until it gets to Ryan (C) who sees a gap and runs through to score Hungerford second try, converted again by James (R)
14-12
By this time we have lost the tight-head prop Joshua (P) and flanker Matthew (P) to injury and the scrums have moved to uncontested. RWB are awarded the scrum, a pick up by number 8 down the blindside sees him run over to score in the corner. Not converted
14-17
Due to two more injuries Hungerford are now down to 13 men defending their try line. A great counter attack from Hungerford pushing their way back up the pitch from a scrum with James (R) making grounds and some phenomenal clearing of the ruck by Alex (C) the ball has been passed wide with Joe (G) coming into the back line receiving the ball and running around the outside of the defence to score a try in the corner. This time not converted.
19-17
A few minutes left of the game it’s still all to play for and both teams are giving it their all. A Hungerford scrum in the final few seconds of the game sees fly half James (R) run the ball into touch to secure the end of game in very wet and windy conditions.
What a game! All players gave their all, they truly showed what they have been working on in first up tackles and keeping possession of the ball. We can chalk that win up to amazing teamwork and the countless hours our fly half spends practicing his conversions.
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