Twickenham U14’s Match Summary

Twickenham

Ruislip

15 Oct 2006

League

Away

Won (24 – 17)

Match Report : Sunday 15^th October 2006

Middx/Herts League : Ruislip vs TRFC U14’s

Firstly the stats (yawn) I was informed by our illustrious ex. PR man, of the following……

Ruislip: played 2, won 0, only 5 points scored, 90+ points scored against them

TRCF: played 1, won 1, 3^rd in league behind Letchworth and Barnet

Secondly, as I am unaccustomed to writing match reports I request forgiveness for the lack of technical information included but I was told that ‘technical knowledge is very dull’ therefore I plan to keep it to a minimum. There were more pertinent comments from the hoi-poloi on the touchline which covered the finer points of the game but can not be repeated here as too technical, instead I quote our pack ‘They’re a pile of puffs!’

Anyway this week’s fixture at Ruislip saw the eager TRFC parents enjoying the competitively priced quality tea @ 50p plus bacon rolls @ £1.80, Dennis, beware! As Ian commented “3rd in the League but top of the league in bacon roll prices!”

Finally, in support of the TRFC facilities and to quote our exceptionally organised Manager, “Those toilets make ours look Posh!” – no further comment required.

The general view was that the mighty T’s “were up for it” as a result of a fiery pre-match briefing with some personal 3-2-1 coaching to ensure individual’s were ‘fired’ up!

From the opening scrum, a great passing dummy from the backs to James Stone who unfortunately was held-up by some excellent tackling and into touch. However Ruislip could not defend their line and with the 2^nd lineout Steven pushed over the try line to score! A great start! Ruislip immediately unleashed the full fury of their packed posse of athletes & came through with powerful surges into the T’s territory, with a scrum given for a knock-on (surprisingly the ref saw that one??) their pack pushed forward and scored. The battle commenced!

But the T’s fought back and after some tough play in the middle of the field with no clear advantage, until Pritvi broke from the pack and with a horrendous (for them) hand-off gained some vital ground, after another scrum in their 22, Jay continued the determined effort to gain advantage and with James B at the back of the next line-out, with the ball won lurched to the try line for the T’s 2^nd try, and the perfect conversion by Harry. But again Ruislip were not to be defeated so early on, after the T’s lost the kick-off Ruislip used their backs to perfection with quick ball across the pitch to score in the last few minutes of the half.

Half Time : Ruislip 10 – TRFC 12

Match Report : Sunday 15^th October 2006

Middx/Herts League : Ruislip vs TRFC U14’s second half

The challenge was on! The second half sees some exciting (if nerve racking) rugby with little to separate the teams…some great defensive kicking under pressure from Harry and James S, however Ruislip managed to score their 3^rd try after testing the T ‘s defences to see them break through for a creditable 5 points, plus the conversion.

It was at this point that the T’s had to use all their (true) grit to move on with a composed resolve, which they surely did. They continued to put pressure on Ruislip for a good 10/15 minutes with their efforts rewarded by a penalty try (we’ll ‘ave that Sir!) given for ‘holding’ (around the neck) when off the ball (hope this makes sense?) and a yellow card issued to the offender (5 or 10 mins – who cares!).

And so it was the Mighty T’s who now held the advantage……..confidence building, and the Wednesday night training finally paying off, Sam Kitch scored the try of the match from a set-play with fantastic support and accurate passing along the backs from quick ball from the pack!

Again Ruislip continued to put pressure on in the final minutes of the game and as Luke was subbed (great applause), it was over only as James Stone kicked from our 5m line into touch.

Final Score : Ruislip 17 – TRFC 24

The game itself was enormously exciting, a fantastic team effort with everyone really ‘digging deep’. It is difficult to mention individual’s but nevertheless there were some gritty performances – from the likes of Jay, Rhys, Pritvi, Joe in the pack and Billy, James S, Sam K, Harry in the backs…against probably the toughest team we have played for a while (we will not include Effingham due to the ref).

Well Done to all the boys for a great performance.

P.s. I could not help but notice that Ruislip had very stylish concrete bollards separating the pitches, dressed in their Club colours of burgundy & white, perhaps a trend TRFC should follow?

Fiona Boultbee

Twickenham U14’s Match Summary