Didsbury Toc H U14s v Aldwinians RUFC U14s

Final Score: 12 – 27 (HT: 5 – 17)

First home game of the season and it must be said an excellent performance from Toc H despite the loss to Aldwinians, in what was a feisty and physical encounter, nothing less than we expected.

Didsbury welcomed a full squad of Aldwinians, comprising more than a few BLs, TLs and FLs amongst their ranks.
Didsbury again depleted in squad numbers managed this week to at least have a substitute on hand as we warmed up with a season’s record squad of 16 fit players. We’re used to this though and heaven knows what we would do with a full 22 available, it would at least give David our coach a few options to ponder rather than the team picking itself!

Aldwinians kicked off and immediately gained some territory and possession, with an opening try inside 2 minutes following a crash ball from CO their BTFL in the centre going over beneath the posts for a converted try.

Toc H were up for this match and a passage of play followed that had everything, LBP was making his usual incisive midfield breaks and we pressured in their 22 winning a penalty but a rare dropped pass at the tap penalty was a missed opportunity. As Aldwinians broke out of their 22 with some strong surging runs there was excellent tackling from SB, as Alwininans fed wide a steal from AH ripping the ball and running back straight quickly turning defence into attack, the ball then travelling quickly through the hands from right to left as MC put on the gas and as the defence closed in threw a Fijian style offload trusting his support, only for AH to pop up again to take!

The pressure was building and Didsbury scored in the corner with SM driving over and through the high tackles to score on the penalty advantage, the conversion was a tough ask for LBP. Didsbury were putting in a great defensive and attacking effort and definitely had parity.

Unfortunately right after this excellent passage of play Didsbury failed to secure the restart and Alwininans scored right from the kick off will WW going over in the corner.

Didsbury continued to put in great effort and there were notable periods of attacking play from a backline linking well with forwards, DX was moving it quickly under it must be said far more pressure than we’ve had all season with Aldwinians excellent line speed, BM taking the ball hard into contact when needed and LBP making breaks, with forwards NK and OJ popping up to take it on from the breakdowns. AM was taking the ball hard into contact and getting some go forward ball for AN to use.

Defence was also strong and it needed to be with excellent tackling from all the team, good rucking and speed to the breakdown, though when it looked like we might finish the half within a score, Aldwinians managed to get a try in the corner with NR their RFL driving over from some good play, he’d been a bit of a handful all half!

HT 5 – 17

Didsbury were soon back in it with a try 2 minutes in for OJ, breaking tackles out wide and outstripping the Aldwinians cover round the outside to finish beneath the posts safely converted by LBP.

Some committed tackling meant LBP had to leave the field 8 minutes in, so OI was soon back on the field and we back to our routine 15 fit playing out the half (though more on that later). With our usual restart kicker off the park we turned to SW to kick off, not a bad long restart from the front row forward getting some good early territory and pressure.

Aldwinians kept up the attacking pressure and Toc H were up against it, and on 10 minutes Aldwinians scored again with FB going over, the conversion missed but not by much, the Aldwinians kicker certainly had a great kick on him just a few yards short on occasions.

Just like the first half Toc H really dug in and excellent defence was evident, with 2 try saving tackles out wide by JM. Though we missed a few tackles the general tackling was excellent, LR put in a brave effort on their RFL and had to go off for his effort, so back down to the 14 we tend to finish with.

The game was physical and those caught up in the rucks and mauls knew that more than most! It was getting fairly heated and SM not one to give an inch was having a battle with the Alwininans BL and a bit of unnecessary bad language at the line out resulted in a yellow card for each, Toc H seeing out the game with 13! There’s no room for bad language and ill-discipline, it just costs the team having players off the field, but definitely we front up and play hard, no complaints in that regard.

We might have held out but like the first half we conceded a very late try with Aldwinians CO going over for his second utilising his good pace and power out wide.

FT 12 - 27

Thanks to Aldwinians (Players & Parents) for a well contested match. Thanks also to the Jim the referee today.

Coach Comments - in summary a final round up from David Xiberras;

Last year's game against Aldwinians was the match of the season with both sides giving their all and today was no different, some great play in attack and defence from both sides.

With a couple of injuries and 16 players available it would have been the easy option before the game for the boys to accept that they had an uphill task ahead of them against the best side in the County and back away from the challenge but that definitely didn't happen, the boys took the game to Aldwinians showing great intent in attack, defending as a team with commitment and remaining unbowed to the final whistle.

The final score certainly doesn't reflect the balance of play and Aldwinians had to battle hard for the full 50 minutes for their deserved win. I'm proud of the boys and they should be proud of themselves.

Glossary
BL - Big Lad
FL - Fast Lad
TL - Tall Lad
RFL - Really Fast Lad
Any combo to suit!