U14s
Matches
Sun 11 Sep 2016
Liverpool St Helens
Tries: (5)Conversions: (2)
31
26
Didsbury Toc H RFC
U14s
Tries: O Johnson, L Brookfield-Paul (3)Conversions: L Brookfield-Paul (3)
U14s Lancashire Junior Rugby Challenge Match 1 Report

U14s Lancashire Junior Rugby Challenge Match 1 Report

James Bealing11 Sep 2016 - 20:46
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https://www.didsburyrfc.co.uk/

Toc H U14s Season Underway; a narrow 31-26 loss with losing bonus point in opening JRC fixture at Liverpool St Helens.

Didsbury Toc H U14's opened their JRC group with an away day at Liverpool St Helens in the September sunshine. Thanks to our hosts for a great day at a historic club.

With only 1 training session in the bag and a depleted squad for the 2016/17 season, we were keen to build on a successful campaign last year, but a couple of unforeseen last minute withdrawals meant we arrived at LSH with just the 15 lads and no props, so emptying the tank and uncontested scrums were on the cards. Uncontested lineouts were also a novelty this season to get our heads rounds.

Didsbury started well with a try in the first 3 minutes as OJ ran a direct barrelling surge to touch down converted by LBP, that was a wake up for LSH and they coped well thereafter snagging OJ early. An early try for the forward tally this season.

Didsbury kept up the momentum running direct, stretching LSH and defending well and our 2nd try came after 7 minutes, this time one for the backs as LBP forced over and then converted his own effort.

LSH were better than the opening 10 and they scored a converted try half way through the first half and again with 2 minutes of the half left but unconverted, Didsbury ending the first half with a 12-14 lead.

Toc H showed good skills in the first half, we threatened on several occasions, fitness was good and our tackling was excellent with the lads on the whole going low and not missing many tackles. Our support running was good and we were arriving at the breakdown quickly in sufficient numbers, but we lacked precision in setting a platform and some impressive counter rucking from LSH meant we spurned some good attacking opportunities. Obviously some early season rustiness as that's normally a strength and a reminder to always concentrate on getting the basics right!. Handling was generally very good and the penalty count low. We ran good lines, occasionally a bit lateral but generally committing players and support was always on hand.

LSH started strongly in the second half showing some great speed out wide in the first 5 minutes and scoring an unconverted try in the corner putting Toc H behind for the first time.

It was a day when our wingers weren't getting much ball with attacks mainly coming through midfield and Didsbury regained the lead with a great break by LBP up the middle and landing the conversion. We were back in front.

Much of the last quarter was played in our 22 though, we were struggling to get any good possession in their half and weariness played its part in some poor decisions and execution which piled on the pressure, before LSH extended their lead with a well driven try out wide, stopped a few times before numbers told, which was unconverted.

LSH continued to press and showed excellent pace and hands with their own break through the middle to score under the posts for a converted try. Tackles may have been missed on our part but in fairness it was a good score by LSH and matched any midfield breaks we made.

Despite the scoreboard pressure Didsbury never gave up working hard, forwards working hard to win good ball and it was testament to our overall fitness that we were able to work a score in the corner with LBP finishing off some good attacking play, though the conversion was a big ask.

Didsbury were back within a score, but the clock was running down and we pretty much needed to score from the restart, unfortunately we gave away a penalty and LSH kicked for touch in the corner, the ref blew for time and the 'uncontested' line out was the final play, with the LSH catcher kicking straight out to seal the win.

We can take a lot of positives from the performance so early in the season, we were fully committed as a team working hard as a 15 and on another day we may have edged it, but we can't have any complaints other than concentrating on doing the basic well and better next time. Well done to LSH.

Last season we ended up with no points from an unfulfilled fixture at PGH, despite the loss this year we earned a losing bonus and we've 2 points and everything to play for as we head out to the coast next week for match 2 against Southport.

Match details

Match date

Sun 11 Sep 2016

Kickoff

11:00

Meet time

10:00
Team overview
Further reading