Wallingford Match report

Wallingford U 13’s v Bicester U13’s
29th March 2009

With the boys playing their first game since losing the Semi final of the plate against Oxford Harlequins they were keen to return to show that they could re find the previous weeks form and also take on to the pitch their latest training set pieces.

The latest opponents were County cup finalist Wallingford who had been on the losing side against Henley, the team who had knocked Bicester out of the Cup in December.

Bicseter were fired up and looking forward to playing against a strong opponent, even though they had Giles (Holiday) and Ryan (Illness) missing.

Wallingford had a few players out we were informed but were confident of being more then a match for Bicester, even though they only had 14 men as were missing a Full back and regular flyhalf.

The coaching staff of Wallingford would see how the boys got on regarding the numbers, preferring to play their 14 against our 15 opposed to requesting Bicester to drop player!

So positional changes for the boys was the order again, no problem as the versatility of the boys is fully appreciated.

Charlie was switched from Centre to 8, Max switched from Centre to Flanker, Liam switched from 2nd Row to Flanker, Tim switched from Flanker to Inside Centre, Tom moving inside from Winger to Outside Centre to add power to the pace of Tim.

Finally the ever improving Jack Cowley, again starting at 2nd Row to partner Sam.

The Starting Team was as follows:

Forwards: 1, Chris, 2, Ed T, 3 Oscar

4, Jack C 5, Sam

6, Max 7, Liam
8, Charlie
Backs:
9, François,
10, Ed Hines,
12, Tim,
13, Tom,
11, Jack Davies 14, Luke
15, Josh
Replacements:

Will & David

Prior to the game in the changing room the boys were informed of what was again expected of them, good rucking, better clearing out at the rucks, good defensive lines, lots of positive talking on the pitch, intelligent play i.e. using the ball, giving their all, not saving themselves as all players would be used and finally trusting the coaches regarding the latest proposed positional changes that were planned during the game in order to try and change the dynamics of the game at set periods.

The backs were informed that they were to ensure they used the “BMW” running lines, in addition to this they were to try and switch the direction of play back inside to the forwards where possible.

Due to the late changes and the fact that some of the boys were unable to attend the mid week training the backs were warmed up simply going through their running lines, with the forwards being again drilled at the clearing out and running mauls in attempt to keep the boys off the hard ground.

The game started with a bang with a clash of two sets of strong determined forwards. The Wallingford forwards had bossed the game we were informed during the previous weeks County cup final so the Bicester forwards were fully aware that they had to turn up fully committed in the game. All the forwards quickly set their mark on the game with the tight 5 more than holding their own in the scrummaging again winning the ball against the head, Ed T showing his increasing skills at striking clean and quick, at the oppositions put in, Liam quickly settled in to his latest position and Max and Charlie were in the thick of things again enjoying the freedom of playing in the pack.

Wallingford could not get free in any forward position with Bicester pouncing on any attempt to break through!

This resulted in the Bicester backs having a lot of the ball through the inspired François who had been asked to be a little more selfish in an attempt to ensure he used the ball from a positive position, i.e. passing after he had made some distance with strong straight running.

This strong running lines together with excellent play from Ed H at 10, including his run around moves set up the backs which led to the back having afield day with their strong running lines and clever use of the ball from hand.

Tom was the first to burst through from his own half having a deeper run up prior to receiving the ball from his centre partner Tim, Tom broke the Wallingfords defensive line at ease like a “knife through butter” motoring away, whilst showing he had been listening to his coaches regarding always being aware of the support of his team mates in case assistance was required, it was not!

It was not long before Luke and Charlie combined well on the opposite wing with Charlie cleverly switching inside to an on rushing Max who was next to show his power and pace to run from the half way line straight under the posts.

Tim put away both of the conversion away with ease.

Bicester were on Fire!

Respecting the fact that the ground was hard, it was hot and Bicester’s game was all about pace around the field, David and Will were quickly used replacing the hard working Sam and Jack C, they both slipped in to place without hindrance to the flow and power of the forwards who were simply too strong for their opponents who were not enjoying their day, was it the aftermath of the County Cup lose the previous week or was it at the sheer shock of Bicesters power and pace?

More of the same followed with Oscar and Max seemingly ripping the ball from the Wallingford forwards at will.

After another good scrum Tim was set away by a good inside pop ball from Tom, Tim seeing Tom was still on his shoulder returned the ball to Tom who raced clear to score his 2nd try of the match.

Jack Cowley was again put into the match asked to add even more power to the pack replacing David C at Lock.

With the backs having lots of ball through their hands the wingers in Luke and Jack D seeing lots of ball, they cut good lines with strong running but more impressive was their ability to ensure the possession of the ball was retained when their runs were about to be stopped by the desperate home teams scrambled defence.

With Bicester breaking at ease through the “shocked” Wallingford defensive lines Tom managed to complete a first half hat-rick of try’s using his newly found extra yard of pace to cruise through at a canter.

Tim duly slotted over the conversion.

Half time with Bicester well on top even with the Wallingford referee it seemed trying to even things a little by missing any off side or knock on by his team whilst picking up the Bicester boys up on any little thing.


Soon after half time after good work by Chris, Sam and Ed T, who carried out a “Johnny” to good effect resulting in Ed H feeding a great miss pass to that man Tom again who again showed his power, pace and the dangerous ploy of carrying the ball in his single hand (be it a large one) going over for his 4th try.

With five try’s scored the referee requested that the numbers were evened up Bicester then changed their line up switching Max to 10 in the place of Ed H, (practice for tour as no Ed or Tim available for Wales), choosing to play only 7 in the pack with Will being asked to do the job of both flankers as Liam was off injured after a high tackle.

These changes did not prevent Bicester from maintaining their strangle hold on the match with ball still flowing along the lines at will enabling Luke to show his own power and pace to score a good try from deep.

Tom was taken off at this point to a large applause from the large travelling band of supporters!

Jack D was switched with Francois to play at 9 to see if he could again show his attacking skills from the base of the strong Bicester scrum.

After these latest changes Bicester for the first time in the match allowed their concentration to lapse allowing the home side through in the corner for their only try of the match.

This gave the home side a lift causing them to raise their game for a few minutes, and it was only a few minutes, using the permitted rolling subs Bicester replaced Will at Flanker with Tom, the boys were asked to again pick up the pace, Charlie responded immediately picking up game with the forwards thrusting at the opposition with his fellow aids in Chris and Oscar who were both having great games.

Bicesters buccaneering style continued with Jack cutting through the pressing Wallingford backs, in his own 22 only to lose the ball from his grip just as he was through!

Head up jack unlucky was the call.

The next time after a strong scrum, Jack had the ball in hand he held on tight running over 60m having picked up at the base to dart past the flanker and scrum half showing them a clean pair of heels, with three big Wallingford backs fast approaching Jack, who was running out of space with the side line coming closer by the second, the odds did not look good for the Bicester speedster, when with a sublime side step at the very last second, cut through the gap to cut the defenders dead in their tracks to accelerate to an amazing solo try finished under the post.

Another simple conversion was accepted

With Tim taking a rest on the side after having an excellent game at inside centre unselfishly off loading to his fellow players opposed to going at times himself.

Again came Wallingford from the kick off only for Sam to make a good tackle on his 22, the ball bounced to a Wallingford forward who unfortunately ran in to the man of the match Tom Bennett, Tom easily removed the ball from the shocked player, the result was a 70m run through the majority of the home players to score his 5th Try of the match, (35 points).

The game was soon over with a shell shocked Wallingford team that had it must be said given their all without the use of any subs and a man short for 30 minutes well beaten.

Bicesters having had themselves two of their most experienced players not available and only two very inexperienced players available to be used as replacements, both of whom were used for large amounts of the match to ensure they had lots of match experience and time.

Final result Wallingford 5 Bicester 50

Well done boys great game, Well Done Tom amazing game (two hands on the ball please).

Ignore the unsavoury comments of the Wallingford Coach, who criticised Bicester for playing to win and being unsporting for playing with 15 against 14, it was his call he thought that his team was better then ours and was it seemed showing off, it is my opinion if we had played with half our team on the day the result would have still been the same, no doubt some would say on the day Tom could have played them on his own such was his form.

He has rallied his boys to beat us in the coming “10”s tournament, look forward to it, I say.

Mark

PS Sorry about the delay in report, got there in the end.