U14 News

U14 Match Report - Old Albanians 10-15 Wallingford

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Sunday, 19 February 2012

Sunday 19th February saw the U14 squad get up early and travel around the M25 to St Albans where the Hertfordshire county champions had invited us to a match.

The Old Abanians club is without a doubt the finest I have yet been to and we were all extremely envious of the ‘crown green bowls’ type pitches. The clubhouse itself was like the result of an architect’s exhibition with 10 heated dressing rooms and facilities to match upstairs including a panoramic 360 degrees balcony.

We knew we had come to a club that likes its rugby and the Wallingford boys quickly saw that their opposition had already been warming up in expectation of the clash a good 40 minutes prior to our arrival. Man for man they were bigger and broader than our guys and we had to check that we were in the right age group.

A quick team talk reiterated the fact that any team who takes the field is a beatable one and that to play with pride and integrity is all the club and coaches ask of the players.

The boys rose to this occasion and in spectacular form, they quickly had the OA’s on the back foot in their own 22-metre zone. After 5 minutes of very physical attacks and a sturdy defence, the Wallingford forwards drove over the line to open the scoring. The score went unconverted and the players braced themselves for the OA’s reply.

This came quickly and the Wallingford defence came under a prolific attack that lasted for 10 minutes or so and Wallingford unfortunately gave away a penalty 5 metres from our line, which was quickly taken and the scores levelled. The rest of the half was all about absorbing more and more pressure and it was beginning to look like the OA’s would breakthrough and take the lead. Again Wallingford repulsed the attacks and a clearance kick allowed play to return to the OA’s half. Some quick handling by the backs saw Wallingford awarded a penalty 10 metres from the OA line. A quick thinking Wallingford forward, tapped and ran and dived over the line to offer Wallingford the lead again. But in the final seconds of the 1st half the oppressive St Albans backs attacked again and scored an unconverted try in the corner to level the scores once again.

The second half was a half of resilient defence interrupted by brief excursions into the OA’s half. With 3 minutes left on the clock Wallingford began a fightback by carrying the ball and remaining in the OA 22 metre zone; this incursion was rewarded with another penalty which was immediately handled quickly by the back line, after the 5th phase of play a ruck formed on the OA 5 metre line and once more our impressive forwards drove over for a try which went unconverted but put Wallingford once more in the lead. We all held our breath for the 2.5 minutes to see if we could hold our defensive line. Not only did we hold out but pushed the OA’s back into their 22 with a long kick. From the line out OA’s were penalised for going off their feet in the ruck and with seconds on the clock the Wallingford penalty was kicked into touch to end the game.

Final Score: Old Albanians 10-15 Wallingford

The squad then played a shortened match against the OA B Team and won 31 – 5.

I have deliberately not named any player as they were all outstanding and did Wallingford proud. Congratulations on a fantastic result. “Come ye to the arena, if you think you are invincible.”

From a coaching point of view this was a magnificent result. Every squad member committed themselves 100% to the cause and the game was played at such a pace that it was difficult to gauge sometimes which side was in the ascendancy.

We took some key casualties, which I hope will be repaired by the 4th March for our cup Semi-final against Witney.

Having coached these lads for many years I can honestly say that I am extremely proud of all of them. They played with sprit, courage and an intensity, which at times left even the Saracens' scout (who had turned up to watch the match) grinning and breathless. As an exhibition of rugby at its best, this was it.

I also want to add that the standard of refereeing was exemplary as was the hospitality and the congratulations from the OA players and parents alike.

Back down to earth with training on Thursday night and Sunday as well. It is also an SOR day on Sunday so good luck to those players and I look forward to seeing all of you on Thursday.

Ian C Graney – Coach U14 Rugby.