Old Albanians B 0 vs Hitchin 17
U15A Match Report: Sunday 3rd February 2013
Herts Plate Round 1 - Away Game
Tries (3): Dan C (1), Dan H (1), Joe (1)
Cons (1): Max (1)
Squad: Ashley, Benji, Dan B, Dan C, Dan H, Frazer, Harry, Jack F, Jack W, Joe, Jordan, Max, Ollie M, Ollie P, Saiful, Sam J, Tom B, Will B
Old Albanians are hosting us today in the first round of the Herts Plate. It’s a bitterly cold, damp morning and we’re fielding our A team against Old Albanians B from HML league 4. Our lads have not played for nearly 4 weeks since our last game – due largely to poor weather and bad pitch conditions. Hopefully, Friday evening’s training has helped them get match fit for today’s game.
OA’s kick-off the first half with a deep kick that’s kicked right back by Dan C into touch – giving us a lineout at 22m. A knock-on ball in the line concedes a scrum allowing scrum-half Benji to pass back to Dan C to chip forward with Ashley chasing. Under pressure, OAs plant the ball behind their try line – giving us a scrum at 5m. Benji once again steals the ball from the back of the scrum and Dan C weaves through OA’s defence to plant our first try just 5 mins into the game. Max’s conversion is accurate but bounces off the far post leaving the opening score at 0-5. OAs restart but the ball is soon kicked back into their half. OAs attempt to clear but the ball is soon working its way back with some consistent Hitchin rucking and passing. A fumbled pass leads to a knock-on scrum. OAs win the ball and clear to centre. Max, playing fall-back kicks to clear but is charged down. Fortunately, Jack W is there and kicks the ball to touch. OAs attempt a couple of breakthroughs but don’t get far with most of the action happening in their half. Good OA defence keeps the score at 0-5 in the first half. A word here about the ref who is very young, but by all accounts was one of the best we have ever had.
Hitchin kick-off the second-half with a short kick – taken into a maul. Dan H rips the ball out and makes good ground with Harry shadowing. OAs concede a penalty allowing us to regroup. Dan H gets the ball from the penalty and powers through OA’s defence to plant our second try near the posts. Max converts successfully taking the score to 0-12 just 5 mins into the second half. (A quick mention here for Dan’s Dad who went through the pain barrier to make sure he had his boots and mouth guard. Having left them at home in Barton le Clay, Mike went back to the car to head off, but was caught in a mud bath. With badly damaged fingers from the exertions of getting the car out, he needed first aid on his return! Commitment in spades!) OAs restart with a deep kick – which is kicked straight back into touch. Joe captures the ball from the lineout, passing to Dan H, who makes good ground, but it’s Sam who steamrollers through dragging three of OA’s defence with him! He makes it to 5m short of the try line before being forced into touch. Joe gets the ball in the lineout and is driven over the try line by our forwards to plant our third try. Max’s conversion attempt falls short – leaving the score at 0-17. OAs restart again and the ball is soon weaving its way back into their half. Dan C chips forward with Saiful chasing on the wing but is taken out to touch by OA’s defence. Once again, continuous pressure from our lads keeps the ball firmly in OA’s half but OA’s defence holds strong with several Hitchin try attempts thwarted leaving the final score line at Old Albanians 0 – Hitchin 17.
A superb, game of rugby – with great sportsmanship and good will on both sides! OAs played professionally keeping the pressure on throughout the game. Man-of-the-match awarded to Sam J who demonstrated remarkable drive. Cruncher goes to Jordan for stopping an OA breakthrough at a crucial time.