14a vs Paul Roos

The U14A team went into the game against Paul Roos with a disappointing loss to Stellenberg the weekend prior to this one. The boys were determined to put in a better performance against strong opposition.

Paul Roos won the toss and elected to play into the wind in the first half. We started the game very well and kept possession for extended periods while playing the majority of our rugby in our oppositions half. After fifteen minutes some good build up play resulted in a try for the hardworking Storm Balchin in the left hand corner. Ronan Silks was unable to convert. Paul Roos came back into the game as the first half wound down to a close and were it not for some brave and courageous defence they would surely have scored a couple of tries. The boys held on though and went into the halftime break up 5 – 0.

We knew it would take a monumental effort from the players to hold onto the slender lead playing into the wind in the second half. Again we started the half confidently and made good decisions at important junctures of the half. Dean Reich scored an outstanding solo try off the back of some good lineout ball. He picked the ball up on the halfway line; beat his opposite number and the out-sprinted the cover defence to go in, in the corner. We were unable to convert. Off the resulting kick-off we cleared our lines well, were able to turn Paul Roos over, and after a sweeping moving Ross Letcher chipped over the top and Jordan Peters was able to round off an excellent team try. We spent the remainder of the half defending for all we were worth. Paul Roos scored to good tries in the final third of the match, but ultimately we held on for a well deserved 15 – 12 win.

Well done to the players for an excellent performance and one that will live on with them for many years to come. Brackenfell await this weekend and we will once again have to be at our best to emerge victorious.

Ross Southgate (coach)