Charlton Park U13/u14s/u15s (7) v (26) Dover U13s
Played Sunday 8th March 2009
Dover U13s travelled to the North Kent border to play their first game for some weeks. Coaches players and parents alike all hoped that this might be the turning point for this team. With two minor injuries during the warm up, the revelation that CP were in fact fielding a development squad which included U14s/U15s, meant that the coaches were worried a little before the start as to how we would fair against them.
Dover kicked off but failed to reach the ten meter line. However, from this point forward it was the last thing to go wrong for the Young Sharks all morning. From the resultant scrum Dover took the ball against the head and this continued throughout the day with Hooker Jenkins taking at least 6 against the head. The forwards dominated the play despite being the smaller physical pack. Speeding pick and go runs from the number 8 Hopper were backed up by flankers Smith and Ribbans who were stupendous all morning rucking out and over everything in their path. The ball was recycled at pace from the rucks and the forwards work rate was fabulous! It was from a strong charge by prop Angus Killin that led to the first score with a great outside pass offload to winger Corey Murdoch to score next to the posts. The try was dully converted by Allen 7-0.
The ball was secured well on the restarts and again rucking and mauling were being used well. The backs now started to come into the game with quick ball from Scrum half Moore, some great dummies from Allen and fantastic piecing runs from Russell, Grant and inside centre McMunn who was rock solid with many ferocious tackles being made in defence also, taking down all sizes in the opposition.
From a five meter scrum and resultant ruck Glew charged at the line setting up a quick pick up by Copper who scored an outstanding individual try. A strong gust of wind pushed the conversion wide but was the only kick of the day to go wrong.12-0
Smith and Ribbans were linking superbly all half and this led to the final score of the half going to Smith. From a wider angle the conversion was made into the wind. Score now 19-0 at the break.
The second half saw some of CP's much bigger lads run out onto the field which seemed to unsteady the Visitors and were unable to stop a big lad getting through the defences and running in a good individual try 20-7. The warning sign was dully noted by the visitors and the forwards set about their work again to produce the best rugby we have seen from this team so far. Replacements second row Annakie, outside Centre Merit and Blind side winger Walladge showed that competition for places is hotting as they seamlessly came into the game. Good interlink play between Hopper and Copper saw Copper score another great individual try, breaking numerous tackles on his way to the line. Conversion again taken by Allen. 26-7.
CP's had a renewed surge at the Dover defence and the biggest guy on the field stomped through the visitors defence and looked certain to score but ALLEN tracked him all the way back to under the posts and put in a try saving tackle dislodging the ball before it could be placed. A good defensive kick to touch relieved the pressure. The forwards came through the lineouts to put great pressure on the Home side forcing mistakes and clearance kicks. One landed with Fullback shields who had been solid all game. A fantastic cross field kick was nearly turned into another try by Cooper but the CP's grounded the ball first and from the scrum the ball was worked well back across the backs to set up another ruck to the left of the posts. Sanders made a charging run and touched down for a try just inside the posts unfortunately it was disallowed as the official did not have a clear view of the placement and gave held up. The clearance kick was again by CP's and this time Shields made a magnificent run for the corner unfortunately he was hit by a flying knee to his head and was unable to place the ball. The final whistle went leaving the final score 26-7. A punch to Dover's hooker in the tunnel off the pitch from his opposite number resulted in him receiving a red card from the official. Dover however did not let this distract from a truly great performance. All should be incredibly pleased with this result and hopefully take this attitude and determination into the U13 Kent Comps this Sunday at Medway.
Team: Angus Killin, Robin Jenkins,Matt Sanders (Jordan Annakie), Matt Ribbans, Joe Cooper, Josh Glew, George Smith, Kieron Hopper, Harry Moore, Kallum Allen, Finley Mc Munn(Peter Merit), Derren Russel, Nathan Grant,Corey Murdoch (Tyler Wallalledge), Fraser Shields.
