Match Report
Old Pats U14s Vs Chipping Norton & Dursley 15-10-23
GAME 1 V CHIPPING NORTON
12-12
Last week’s match v Old Bristolians was the first time the squad had experienced lineouts, 8-man scrums and pickups from back of the scrum, and so it was a beautiful morning to build on these new skills while playing the first home game of the season.
OP’s pre-match player numbers meant that they would already be stretched for two teams but a couple of late drop-outs meant it was only 14 players per team with the opposing teams making up the numbers.
It was a nervy first 5 minutes from both teams on a dewy pitch until Ed and Jack started to warm up with both getting involved but a soft turnover saw CN enter OPs 22 and open the scoring; conversion missed.
Despite Louis, playing at 8, regularly breaking the gainline, OPs were putting themselves under pressure. The OPs supporters were relieved that CN turned down a 4-man overlap and certain try only to see an OP clearance kick going awry and gifting CN with a second try which they converted.
Words under the posts from coach Rob, who had already seen his beloved Wales ejected from the RWC, finally invigorated OP and some hard straight running from Louis and Will, led to OPs first try by Jack who converted his own score.
A great turnover almost gave Jack a second try but he was thwarted by a foot in touch. It wasn’t long before Jack was attacking once again with a great individual run, supported by Ed leading to a try for Freddy; conversion missed.
GAME 2 V DURSLEY
17-5
OPs picked up immediately where they left off and swift hands by half-backs Beau and Jack put Will through for a first try; converted by Jack.
Immediately from the kickoff, Ed set up a ruck and more quick hands saw the other centre, Alfie glide through for an excellent try; the conversion missed.
A soft penalty and some suspiciously soft tackling let Dursley back in with an unconverted try-out wide. A quick tap penalty however saw Jack run unopposed to score again; conversion missed.
Dursley weren’t done yet and a scrum on the halfway and an individual run almost led to a try but they were adjudged to be touch in goal.
OPs responded well and another Alfie run saw Dursley having to put in some last-gasp defending to prevent another try. The game finished with MotM, Jack breaking from inside his own half, chipping and gathering his own kick, only to be tackled well just metres from the Dursley try line.
