U13's Warriors (41) v Rosslyn Park (12)
Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at 9:04AM Match Report
Party in the Park as The Warriors Roll On
Sunday saw the Warriors play their latest league match against Rosslyn Park in Richmond Park.
Having won their previous league matches the Warriors gathered oozing confidence at facing a Park side containing some familiar faces from Wimbledon College to add some fizz to the fixture.
With coach Matt Bell looking as delicate as some of the early blue bells he quietly gathered the troops for some match preparation running through some moves with the backs. With some scrum and line out practise the Warriors went to kick off with a well laid match plan to follow.
From the kick off it was clear that the Park side were well drilled and hungry with the break downs being very competitive both sides winning possession in the early stages. However it was the Warriors who made the first breakthrough after winning possession and moving the ball well through the backs for winger Ursher Wrightman to use his pace to out flank the defence and race under the posts for the Warriors first try.
The Park side were not to give in however and continued to compete well, winning ball allowing their three quarters to run at us. Our tackling was ferocious with Ettienne Cousin and Thomas Quinn in particular putting in great defensive displays. With some indifferent refereeing the Warriors pack seemed put out and Park continued to pressure scoring the first of their tries. They converted for a 7-5 lead.
From the restart Park again came forward and but for a try saving tackle by captain Lucas O'Toole Smith Park would have gone further ahead.
The Warrior pack however raised their game with Daniel Baxter releasing Ettienne Cousin with a well timed pass to accelerate away from the defence to score the Warriors second try, 7-12 at half time.
The second half saw the Warriors play to their full potential with forwards Rob Gardner and Jack O'Neil putting in strong runs and good work in the loose. In the back row Joe Bell, Rushad Dommasia and Daniel Baxter foraged well stealing possession in marginal situations. Park kept trying and managed a second try with the Park line judge using his imagination to persuade the Park ref that the ball was grounded.
With Callum Hearty,Freddie Johnston Bailey and Shem Reid winning the front row battle our backs were receiving good ball. This led to fast attacks from our centres with Lucas O'Toole Smith running a great line to glide in under the posts and Declan Thompson putting in a tackle busting run to score theatrically under the posts.
We now seemed to have the upper hand up front and the Park challenge subsided allowing Ursher Wrightman to go over for his second try.
Well done to Sam Powell who took over kicking duties from marathon man Huw Green. Not an easy kicking day with the strong winds.
Well done to all the boys for a solid performance and thanks as always to all the parents for their support.
Author: Terry Baxter